5 Steelers surprises in Sunday’s win against the Bengals
Each week our SCU staff and contributors picks the “surprises” from the Pittsburgh Steelers latest matchup. Check out more below to see which plays and situations surprised us the most!
On Sunday the Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Cincinnati to face the Bengals for their Week 12 matchup at Paycor Stadium.
The Steelers improved to a 7-4 record with a 16-10 win. Here are some of the surprises from that game.
400+ Yards of Offense
It only took 59 games – and the first after offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s firing – for the Steelers offense to accumulate over 400 yards.
With Mike Sullivan calling the plays, the Steelers posted 421 yards of offense against the Bengals.
The last time they accomplished this feat was on December 23rd, 2018 against the New Orleans Saints, when they tallied 429 yards. In that game QB Ben Roethlisberger threw to not one, but two 100-yard receivers: Antonio Brown (185) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (115) in a 31-28 loss to Drew Brees.
Kenny Pickett has gone 7 straight QB starts without a turnover.
There isn't a SINGLE QB with a longer streak since 2018 (Aaron Rodgers, 8). pic.twitter.com/ZzIrBP3yX0
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 26, 2023
Pickett’s Record
Kenny Pickett accomplished two different feats on Sunday. First, Pickett has gone 7 games without throwing an interception (the longest active streak in the NFL).
Second, he broke Ben Roethlisberger’s consecutive passes attempted without an interception with 208 throws.
Pickett is protecting the football heading into the playoff stretch.
Watt’s Record
T.J. Watt continues to be a wrecking machine. The Steelers linebacker had two sacks and a forced fumble on Sunday.
Watt now has 91 sacks in 98 career games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (82 games) as the only player since 1982 to reach 90 sacks in fewer than 100 NFL games.
Watt is tied for the league lead with 13.5 sacks heading into Week 13 and is the second player since 1982 (joining White) to have at least 13 sacks in five of his first seven seasons.
Watt also recorded his 20th career game with at least two sacks, joining another club with five other players who had done so in 20 or more of their first 100 NFL games. Those other players include White (29 games), Richard Dent (23), J.J. Watt (23), Bruce Smith (20), and Jared Allen (20).
Watt also has a sack in 57 career games, which ties Aaron Donald for the fifth-most career games with at least one sack in a player’s first seven NFL season. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Demarcus Ware (68 games) and Reggie White (63) as well as Von Miller (61) and Myles Garrett (59) have more.
3 Takes That Resonate from Steelers 16, Bengals 10: Ravens entered Week 12 No. 1 in rushing (155.1 ypg). Steelers averaging 174 over last four after 153 in Cincy. None of it gained vs. Top 10 run D as of Week 12. Still more than enough to prove again they have the running game.
— Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) November 27, 2023
Run Game
If you want an absolutely wild stat, then check out the figures from Mike Prisuta above.
The Steelers have gone off over the last four games by rushing the football. Jaylen Warren cooled off from his consecutive 100-yard rushing performances the previous two weeks, but Najee Harris carried the torch to a season-high 99 yards with a 6.6 yards-per-carry average.
Harris also added his fourth rushing touchdown of 2023, which is the Steelers eighth overall.
Freiermuth’s Real Return
Prior to Sunday’s game against the Bengals, Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth never had a 100-yard receiving game in his NFL career.
After returning last week from injured reserve, the third-year player posted a single catch for seven yards. It was in line with a mostly pedestrian season, where Freiermuth had nine receptions for 60 total yards.
On Sunday, Freiermuth broke down the doors with career highs in both catches (9) and yardage (120), appearing like the superstar tight end that’s been expected over the last few seasons. With new coaches in charge of the offense, this could be the beginning of something new in Pittsburgh…
