PITTSBURGH – Acrisure Stadium was rocking on Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Cincinnati Bengals in a Week 11 AFC North showdown. The final score read 55–38 in favor of the black and gold, but the journey to that outcome was not without turbulence. Despite an early string of miscues, head coach DK LaFleur’s team found its rhythm behind a near-flawless performance from quarterback Desmond Ridder, a breakout rushing effort from Nate Carter, and a defense that created turnovers and pressure at key moments.
The victory moves Pittsburgh to 6–4 on the year and 5–2 under LaFleur, further cementing the progress of a team that has grown sharper and more confident with each passing week.
A Rocky Start
For all the fireworks that would eventually define the game, Pittsburgh’s offense stumbled out of the gate. Newly acquired receiver Alec Pierce coughed up the ball in the red zone on the Steelers’ opening drive, halting what looked like a promising start. Later in the first quarter, DK Metcalf dropped a wide-open fourth-down pass in the red zone, leaving points on the table and opening the door for Cincinnati to stay close.
If that was not enough, the first play of the second half brought another self-inflicted wound when rookie running back Nate Carter put the ball on the turf, handing the Bengals momentum in a game that could have easily spiraled.
LaFleur did not mince words afterward. “We cannot put the ball on the ground like that,” he said. “I love the way our guys responded, but those mistakes have to be cleaned up if we want to reach the level we know we are capable of.”
Ridder’s Masterclass
While the miscues told part of the story, Ridder wrote the rest. The fourth-year quarterback was sensational, completing 21 of 25 passes for 374 yards, five touchdowns, and a perfect 158.3 NFL passer rating.
Ridder’s efficiency stood out. Every throw seemed to have purpose, and his ability to spread the ball to multiple targets kept Cincinnati’s defense guessing. The timing of his decisions, paired with his accuracy on intermediate and deep routes, showcased a quarterback not just managing the game but commanding it.
LaFleur praised his growth. “He was surgical today. You can see the confidence in how he is throwing, and the trust he has in his receivers is growing each week. When Desmond plays like that, we are tough to stop.”
Carter Bounces Back
Despite a fumble, Carter showed exactly why the Steelers believe he is the future of their backfield. The rookie rebounded with toughness, carrying 20 times for 114 yards while also catching four passes for 66 yards. His blend of power and agility kept the Bengals honest, and his ability to bounce back from adversity was one of the quiet stories of the game.
“It is about the response,” Carter said. “You do not want to put your team in that position, but I knew I had to keep running hard and make plays for my guys. I am just glad I was able to help us close it out.”
A Tight End Showcase
This was a game where the Steelers’ tight ends shined. Darnell Washington, the towering third-year talent, hauled in three passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns, giving Ridder a mismatch target Cincinnati had no answers for. Jonnu Smith added a touchdown of his own, further proving the versatility of the Steelers’ tight end room.
Pierce and Austin Step In
Pierce atoned for his early fumble with a steady performance, catching five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Calvin Austin contributed a touchdown as well, using his speed to stretch the defense horizontally and vertically. Even with Metcalf held unusually quiet, Pittsburgh’s receiving corps delivered balance and firepower.
The Defense Answers
On the other side of the ball, Pittsburgh’s defense played much better than the 38 points allowed would suggest. The Bengals tacked on two long rushing touchdowns late in the game. For most of the contest, the Steelers’ defense controlled the tempo.
Veteran cornerback Darius Slay was everywhere, recording two interceptions and returning one for a touchdown. His leadership and playmaking were a steadying force throughout the game.
Patrick Queen added his own exclamation point, grabbing an interception, tallying three tackles, and splitting a sack. His versatility and energy in the middle were crucial in keeping Joe Burrow under pressure.
Up front, the defensive line feasted. T.J. Watt led the way with 2.5 sacks, terrorizing the Bengals’ offensive tackles. Rookie Derrick Harmon celebrated a milestone with the first sack of his career, finishing the game with 1.5 sacks and flashing the disruptive potential that Pittsburgh believes he can build upon. Alex Highsmith added a sack as well, rounding out a dominant showing from the edge rushers.
“The defense gave us short fields, turnovers, and momentum swings,” LaFleur said. “That is exactly what we need. And if we clean up a couple of those late runs, that is as complete a performance as you will see.”
Looking Ahead
The Steelers walk away from Week 11 with both confidence and clarity. They proved they can overcome mistakes, that Ridder is growing into the reliable leader they need, and that their defense can generate pressure and turnovers in bunches. At the same time, LaFleur was adamant about the need for sharper execution, particularly when it comes to protecting the football.
“We know what we are capable of,” he said. “But championship teams do not hand the ball over in the red zone or to start a half. We will clean that up. What I love is the way we responded. That is the mark of a team that is starting to come together.”
With the win, Pittsburgh sits at 6–4, very much alive in the AFC playoff race and continuing to grow under LaFleur’s leadership. For Steelers Nation, the message is clear: this team is resilient, explosive, and learning fast. And in the North, that is exactly the formula needed to contend.
Final Score: Steelers 55, Bengals 38
– Forged In Steel Times
