Steelers at Bengals: Highlights, score and recap

Highlights from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-20 win over AFC North rivals the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15.

Eli Rogers caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter, to give the Pittsburgh Steelers a 24-20 comeback win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Week 15.

Rogers’ score completed a comeback from 20-9 at halftime. The Steelers responded with 16 unanswered points after the break, as their defense rolled down the shutters in front of Andy Dalton and the Bengals.

Dalton had scored on a 1-yard QB sneak in the first quarter to give Cincy a 10-3 lead. The Red Rifle’s effort was relayed by the NFL’s official Twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/810554673610399744

Jeremy Hill stretched the advantage when he went over from four yards out. Randy Bullock then kicked his second field goal of the day to account for the Bengals’ first-half splurge of 20 points.

All the Steelers could muster in response were three field goals by Chris Boswell, who would ultimately kick six in the game.

It was the boot of Boswell that started the comeback in the third quarter. He kicked three-straight field goals before Roethlisberger and Rogers combined for the decisive score.

The comeback means the Steelers have maintained their one-game lead in the AFC North. They host bitter rivals the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day with the division on the line.

Three Stars

1. Chris Boswell

Boswell didn’t just account for 18 points. He also saved a certain seven from going on the board with this splendid tackle:

This isn’t just all in a day’s work for a kicker. It’s a rare headline-grabbing effort from one of the most undervalued positions in NFL.

2. Le’Veon Bell

Rogers may have made the clutch catch, but Bell was the workhorse the Steelers needed to take control of the game. The dynamic, dual-threat running back obliged with 23 carries for 93 yards and five catches for 38.

Numbers like those are impressive, but they’ve become standard fare from Bell. He’s Pittsburgh’s premier playmaker in every phase of the offense and the key to this team’s hopes in the postseason.

3. Lawrence Timmons

The Steelers dominated defensively after the break, and Lawrence Timmons was a major reason why. He was in on eight tackles, including five solo stops. Timmons also grabbed a key interception.

Timmons and fellow inside linebacker Ryan Shazier are the players who add the flexibility to Pittsburgh’s defensive schemes. Coordinator Keith Butler can mix zone coverage with elaborate pressure thanks to the flexibility in the middle offered by Timmons, who can line up everywhere and do it all, even in his 10th season.

Next: NFL Week 15: Picks and predictions

Harrison is sure to be motivated to upset his former team.

Next Week

The Bengals will be on the road against the Houston Texans in Week 16. Meanwhile, the Steelers will host another divisional foe, the Baltimore Ravens, on Christmas day, in what could well be an AFC North decider.