MACON, Ga. — WLWT News Anchor Mike Dardis once told me that a football game can be decided in three to four plays. Those three to four plays can be classified as turning points, and every Tuesday I’ll look back at the turning points of the past Bengals game. This week, it’s the turning points from the Bengals 23-20 overtime week one loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
12:43 1Q – 31-yd. INT return by PIT Saefty Minkah Fitzpatrick (PIT 7 CIN 0)
This play set the tone for the game. Fitzpatrick’s pick six was the first of five turnovers the Steelers defense forced. The Bengals offense, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, entered the season-opener with high expectations. Well, the first pass of the season giving the opposition seven points was not a promising start.
On the play, Burrow was looking for wide receiver Tyler Boyd running across towards the far side of the field. But by the time Burrow got the pass off, Fitzpatrick had the ball right in his sights.
The Steelers only hope in this game was getting to Burrow and forcing turnovers. Fitzpatrick’s pick six came one play after Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward sacked Burrow on the first play of the game. In just two plays, Pittsburgh announced that they were here to play.
13:11 2Q – INT by PIT Outside Linebacker T.J. Watt at CIN 41-yd. line
First of all, this was an unbelievably athletic play. Watt jumped up into the air to bat down Burrow’s pass attempt, and he not only did that but also intercepted the pass.
This was Burrow’s second interception of the first half, and this one was probably the most frustrating. Prior to the interception, Burrow and the Bengals offense had a good rhythm going. But just like with Fitzpatrick’s interception, Watt made a great play the play before his pick by stuffing Bengals running back Joe Mixon for a four-yard loss on a handoff.
Pittsburgh capitalized on the turnover into a touchdown to increase their lead to 17-3, shocking the sold out crowd at Paycor Stadium.
8:15 2Q – 9-yd. completion from Burrow to Wide Receiver Tee Higgins (Higgins injured on the play, did not return with a concussion)
Higgins’s injury heavily impacted the Bengals offense the rest of the game. Pittsburgh could play two-high defense to not allow wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase beat them deep and not worry about another receiver beating them deep. That forced the Bengals offense to go with a methodical approach, taking the underneath and crossing routes. Had Higgins not been knocked out, they could have taken more shots down the field.
1:16 2Q – 34-yd. run by Bengals Running Back Joe Mixon on 4th&1
This was a pivotal play in the game, and it really kept the Bengals in the game. Tight end Drew Sample had a great block to bust Mixon loose, and the Bengals running back very nearly took it the distance. Even though the Bengals only came away with three points, Mixon’s run was a huge conversion to keep the Bengals in the game, giving them a chance to make a comeback in the second half.
13:35 4Q – 50-yd. punt by Bengals Punter Kevin Huber, 20-yd. return by PIT Punt Returner Gunnar Olszewski
What’s not included in the play description is that on the play, Bengals long snapper Clark Harris tore his biceps. Harris left the game, and he could miss the rest of the season. But for Sunday’s game in particular, Harris’s absence loomed large. Should it have loomed large? I don’t know. But for as much continuity as Harris and Huber have, it certainly played a role on crucial kicks late in the game. But that’s a big takeaway from this game: it took five turnovers, seven sacks, and the Bengals long snapper leaving the game with an injury for the Steelers to beat this Bengals team.
2:54 4Q – 12-yd. reception by Chase down to the 1-yd. line
Here we go with all the turning points at the end of regulation and overtime. Did Chase cross the goal line? Replays made it appear he certainly did. But Bengals head coach Zac Taylor did not challenge the play. Had he challenged and Chase would have been given the touchdown, the Bengals would have tied the game. Whether they would have gone for an extra point or a two-point conversion is something we’ll never know. But the likelihood they would have gotten the ball back one more time would have been high, and you would have had all the confidence in the world Burrow would have been able to lead the offense the length of the field for the winning score.
0:02 4Q – Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson misses PAT, game remains tied 20-20
McPherson’s missed extra point reminds me so much of Shayne Graham’s missed field goal against Pittsburgh in 2006. You thought the Bengals had the game won, but then they didn’t. Imagine if McPherson makes the extra point. Ja’Marr Chase is a hero. Burrow leads the Bengals to victory despite turning the ball over five times, proving that he can overcome anything. Instead, the game heads to overtime.
3:37 OT – Evan McPherson misses 29-yd. Field Goal Attempt
This missed kick by McPherson confirmed Harris leaving the game was a problem. McPherson makes that kick in his sleep. But the high snap threw off his timing, wasting a golden opportunity for the Bengals to improbably pull out a win.
:34 OT – 26-yd. pass from PIT QB Mitch Trubisky to TE Pat Friermuth
When it seemed like the game would end in a tie, Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard jumped offsides, giving Pittsburgh a free play. Trubisky took advantage, finding Friermuth to move into Bengals territory. That one early jump by Hubbard opened the door just enough for Pittsburgh to win the game.
Let me be Frank and Cut to the Chase 