Story by
3 Winners and 2 Losers in Steelers’ 30-27 Win Over Bengals
- Story by
- 3 Winners and 2 Losers in Steelers’ 30-27 Win Over Bengals
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally put together the type of offensive performance they needed, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27 on Sunday afternoon. After scoring just three points against the New England Patriots in Week 2 , Pittsburgh showed significant improvement on that side of the ball.
Several players stepped up in key moments to help the Steelers secure the divisional victory, while others struggled to make the same kind of impact. Here are three winners and two losers from Pittsburgh's 30-27 win over Cincinnati.
Advertisement
Winner: Ben Skowronek
Sep 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) celebrates with tight end Darnell Washington (80) and offensive tackle Max Iheanachor (71) after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
This was a phenomenal performance from Skowronek, who could very well be the Steelers' unsung hero from Sunday's victory. Many will point to Derrick Harmon's big play or Jaylen Warren's dominant performance as the biggest reasons for the win.
They'd be right to do so, but Skowronek's touchdown reception and fumble recovery directly contributed to 10 Steelers points on Sunday. His ability to make an impact in multiple phases shows just how valuable his role has become in Pittsburgh.
Advertisement
Loser: Asante Samuel Jr.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a pass for a touchdown under coverage from Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (22) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. The game was tied at 17 at halftime.
It wasn't an awful performance by Samuel, but he had a tough day overall. At times, he looked physically outmatched by both of the Bengals' top receivers.
Samuel recorded a pass breakup during the game, but he also allowed a touchdown and a fourth-down conversion. Covering Ja'Marr Chase is a difficult task for any cornerback, but after two solid coverage performances to open the season, Week 3 represented a step backward for Samuel.
Advertisement
Winner: Jaylen Warren
Sep 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) runs against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Tacario Davis (20) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Warren was undoubtedly the player of the game, making an impact as both a runner and receiver. He produced multiple explosive plays and consistently gave the Steelers' offense the spark it needed.
Warren finished with 20 touches and 176 yards from scrimmage as he helped carry the Steelers' offense forward. He also delivered that performance despite missing time during practice this week.
Loser: EDGE Rushers
Sep 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Bengals made a concerted effort to keep Pittsburgh's EDGE rushers away from Joe Burrow . Cincinnati primarily accomplished that with quick passes and max-protection looks, while the Steelers' defense played plenty of soft-zone coverage.
Advertisement
Overall, the strategy worked. The Bengals struggled to consistently create big plays and instead had to rely on a steady diet of short gains. That approach limited the impact Pittsburgh's EDGE rushers could make, though.
Winner: Mike McCarthy
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) checks with head coach Mike McCarthy after calling a timeout in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. The Bengals fell to 2-1 on the season with a 30-27 loss on the road.
This was a much-needed bounce-back performance for the Steelers and their head coach. Mike McCarthy had to be feeling some heat after the offense delivered a lackluster performance through the first two weeks, but things looked much better on Sunday.
Advertisement
Now, Pittsburgh needs to stack a few more performances like this one. The offense wasn't perfect, but Sunday represented a significant step forward for McCarthy and his unit.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
