5 things we learned in Steelers’ win over the Bengals: Stripping Joe Burrow was by design

CINCINNATI — Five things we learned from Pittsburgh Steelers 44, Cincinnati Bengals 38:

1. Strip by design

The Steelers were wary of Joe Burrow’s ability to scramble out of the pocket and keep his eyes cast downfield for open receivers, so the defense had designs on limiting the damage he did on the run.

They knew they needed to put pressure on the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, who rolled right to complete a third-and-2 pass to Tee Higgins for 13 yards on one scoring drive. Burrow did so again on a play intended for Andrei Iosavis that drew a pass interference penalty in the end zone, then on the ensuing 4-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase that gave the Bengals a 21-14 lead early in the second quarter.

With the score 21-21, Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt stripped Burrow on the Bengals’ third drive, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Preston Smith at the Steelers’ 39. Chris Boswell kicked a 50-yard field goal to give the Steelers their first lead with 3 minutes, 31 seconds remaining in the first half.

“I was just trying to make a play,” Watt said. “Anytime I’m around the ball, I’m just trying to continue to ball search, and try and make a play, create a turnover. Joe did a great job all game of stepping up through that B-gap and climbing the pocket. That was just a way of retracing, getting after the ball and creating a play.”

Nick Herbig took a cue from Watt early in the fourth quarter, stripping Burrow from behind to force a fumble Payton Wilson returned 21 yards for a touchdown and a 41-24 lead.

“Early on we weren’t doing that, and he was able to climb and create those extended plays,” Watt said. “They’re very good at it, especially No. 1 (Chase) coming across on some dig routes and stuff, extensions. It just got to a point when you get to the top of the rush, we need to come back down and able to make a play, and it paid off.”

Chaz Palla | TribLive

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson pump fakes to Jaylen Warren against the Bengals in the fourth quarter Sunday at Paycor Stadium.

2. Going 10 for (at least) 10

One of the more impressive things about Russell Wilson’s 414-yard passing performance was his ball distribution. Of his 29 completions, he connected with 10 receivers. And all had at least 10 yards.

Running backs Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson combined for 13 catches for 146 yards. Tight ends Pat Freiermuth, MyCole Pruitt and Darnell Washington combined for nine catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. And wide receivers George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek had seven catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns.

“Just the versatility and the trust we have with all those guys — that’s what makes it fun for me,” said Wilson, who was sacked twice for minus-4 yards. “It starts with the offensive line giving me enough time to make those throws.”

Chaz Palla | TribLive

The Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth taunts Bengals fans after Freiermuth’s touchdown against the Bengals in the third quarter Sunday at Paycor Stadium.

3. Freiermuth loves The Jungle

Freiermuth had been the forgotten man in the Steelers offense but finished with season highs of six catches for 68 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter.

It should come as no surprise Freiermuth had a monster game in Cincinnati. In four games here, he has 24 catches for 303 yards and two touchdowns. He had nine receptions for 120 yards last year.

“I don’t know. For some reason, every time we play here I just go off,” Freiermuth said, with a laugh. “It’s awesome.”

Chaz Palla | TribLive

The Steelers’ Cordarrelle Patterson rambles past the Bengals’ Germaine Pratt in the second quarter Sunday at Paycor Stadium.

4. Patterson the playmaker

When Harris left the game late in the first quarter — he was seen taking oxygen on the sideline — Patterson replaced him at running back.

Patterson made his biggest impact since Week 4, when he rushed for 43 yards on six carries and had two receptions for 19 yards before suffering an ankle injury in the 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Related:

• Russell Wilson passes for 414 yards, defense forces 3 turnovers as Steelers beat Bengals
• Steelers’ Joey Porter Jr. draws 6 flags in victory, vows to keep playing his game
• ‘You just have to grow up, man’ – George Pickens again draws negative attention, even as he makes plays for Steelers

Patterson had five touches for 33 yards, including on four consecutive plays. Following a delay-of-game penalty, the Steelers threw passes to Patterson for gains of 8 and 9 yards. He followed that with a 12-yard run to the Cincinnati 25, then a 2-yarder to set up Wilson’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Austin that tied the score 14-14.

“Seeing CP running a deep cross — former receiver, a guy who can do everything, a Hall of Fame player — we just have trust in him,” Wilson said.

Chaz Palla | TribLive

The Steelers’ George Pickens leaps past the Bengals’ Jordan Battle on the way to a second-quarter touchdown Sunday at Paycor Stadium.

5. Difference in DQ

When Pickens drew his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, there was initial concern he could be ejected from the game.

Where Pickens drew a flag for taunting late in the first quarter when he dropped the ball on Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither after a 15-yard catch, his second penalty was for a gesture toward the crowd.

Pro Football Writers Association pool reporter Ben Baby, who covers the Bengals for ESPN.com, asked referee Shawn Hochuli to clarify why Pickens wasn’t disqualified.

“That’s a great question,” Hochuli said. “So the rule of two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls for disqualification really applies to taunting-type acts directed towards an opponent. There’s a couple of others in that category but, in this particular case, the first of those fouls was of that nature. His first in the first half was a taunt for throwing the ball at a player; on the second, however, it was not directed at an opponent and so it’s not considered a taunt. It’s an unsportsmanlike conduct foul but not considered a taunt that would apply towards disqualification.”