Sunday had a changing of the guard feeling in Cincinnati, as the Bengals ran roughshod over the visiting Steelers, a team that for decades had been a thorn in Cincinnati’s side.
The victory marked the Bengals’ first three-game winning streak over the Steelers since 1990 and Cincinnati’s first season sweep of Pittsburgh since 2009.
The teams then traded interceptions, but the Bengals’ pick was returned 24 yards for a score by former Pittsburgh cornerback Mike Hilton, who scored Cincinnati’s third touchdown of the second quarter.
Mixon, who also exited the game early, extended the Bengals’ lead to 38 points on his one-yard touchdown run two minutes into the fourth quarter.
Burrow, who is now 2-1 against the Steelers, continuously picked on James Pierre, who started in place of injured starter Joe Haden.
Najee Harris, who caught 14 passes for 102 yards during Pittsburgh’s Week 3 loss against Cincinnati, had just 15 yards on five carries during the first half and finished the game with just 23 yards on eight carries.
While the duo’s 41-yard throw-and-catch set up Pittsburgh’s only score of the first half, miscommunication between Roethlisberger and Claypool on Pittsburgh’s first possession resulted in Eli Apple’s interception that led to a Bengals field goal.
A week after allowing 90 rushing yards from Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, the Steelers allowed the Bengals to rumble for 125 on the ground in the first half alone.
After picking up nine yards on the drive’s first three plays, Claypool bobbled Roethlisberger’s slant pass before a hit by safety Jessie Bates III jarred the ball loose for an incomplete pass.
Hilton, who signed with the Bengals this offseason following a solid tenure with the Steelers, essentially iced the game with his pick-six with 30 seconds left until halftime.
“I thought that we got beat up front on both sides of the ball.
… Defensively, to create all of those turnovers, especially Eli, right off the bat getting those three points.
The Steelers are 1-1 against Lamar Jackson, who has yet to have a big game against Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati fans can watch the Ravens-Browns tonight with the hope of a Browns win giving them first place in the North.