Pittsburgh — Encumbered receiver George Pickens and quarterback Mason Rudolph combined for two long touchdowns on Saturday, as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 34-11 to maintain their dwindling postseason hopes.
On Pittsburgh’s second offensive play, Rudolph, starting for the first time in two years in lieu of the sidelined Mitch Trubisky and injured Kenny Pickett, connected tight end Tyler Pickens for an 86-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
Pickens caught four passes for 195 yards. Rudolph finished 17 of 27 for 290 yards as the Steelers put together their best offensive performance in years.
Jake Browning threw for 335 yards and a touchdown but also tossed three picks the Steelers turned into points as Cincinnati (8-7) saw its three-game winning streak snapped.
First, Browning scrambled out of the pocket and seemingly meant to throw the ball out of bounds but the pass went straight into the arms of the Pittsburgh corner Patrick Peterson in the end
Browning threw his second interception of the day as he intended to pass to WR Tyler Boyd, the ball was tipped and Steelers safety Eric Rowe picked it off and ran 25 yards.
Pittsburgh’s 34 points were its most in a victory since 2020. The performance also likely silenced — for the moment — critics of Pickens, who has been scrutinized for his sometimes lackadaisical play.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the 22-year-old Pickens’ maturity remains a work in progress but refused to bench him. Pickens repaid that loyalty by showcasing the game-breaking talent that’s only been highlighted sporadically during his first two seasons, mostly because he plays on an offense that has struggled for years to move the ball with regularity.
