Upset Alert! The Cincinnati Bengals are flipping the script on Thursday Night Football, stunning the favored Steelers with a 17-10 halftime lead. This wasn’t supposed to happen—experts had Pittsburgh as the clear favorite. But here’s where it gets controversial: the Bengals aren’t just winning; they’re dominating in ways that challenge everything we thought we knew about this matchup.
Cincinnati didn’t just claw back from a 10-0 deficit; they outplayed Pittsburgh in nearly every aspect of the game. The Bengals outgained the Steelers 220 to 183 in the first half, showcasing a balanced attack that left Pittsburgh’s defense scrambling. And this is the part most people miss: it wasn’t just about the Bengals’ offense—their defense stepped up in a big way, intercepting Aaron Rodgers twice on back-to-back possessions. Safety Jordan Battle and cornerback DJ Turner became instant heroes, with Turner’s spectacular interception setting up Evan McPherson’s 49-yard field goal as time expired in the half.
Meanwhile, the Steelers’ night has been a masterclass in self-sabotage. Beyond the turnovers, they had a touchdown nullified by a holding penalty on center Zach Frazier and settled for a field goal after a false start on fourth-and-1. Rodgers, despite his reputation, looks rattled, completing 13 of 19 passes for 118 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. DK Metcalf, his go-to target, has just two receptions for 45 yards. Jaylen Warren has been a bright spot with 45 yards on eight carries, but it’s not enough to turn the tide.
On the other side, Joe Flacco—who’s been in Cincinnati for just over a week—is playing like he’s been there all season. He’s completed 14 of 21 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns, connecting seamlessly with Ja’Marr Chase (7 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD) and Tee Higgins (3 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD). Chase Brown has been a revelation on the ground, rushing for 74 yards on just five carries. The Bengals, who’ve lost four straight, are suddenly playing with a confidence that’s hard to ignore.
Bold Prediction: If the Steelers can’t clean up their mistakes in the second half, this game could turn into a full-blown upset. But here’s the question: Is this a fluke, or are the Bengals finally finding their rhythm? Let us know in the comments—do you think Pittsburgh can bounce back, or is Cincinnati’s momentum unstoppable?
