CINCINNATI — In his fourth pro game, third appearance with the Pittsburgh Steelers and first NFL start, Trenton Thompson made the play most responsible for swinging the momentum that ultimately resulted in a Steelers victory.
“I didn’t think about the impact,” Thompson said of his third-quarter interception during a 16-10 win. “It was a close game regardless. I am not sure if (the INT) made the biggest difference, but we won, so I don’t really care if I (made the biggest play) or not because we won the game.”
It perhaps can be debated if Thompson’s first career interception was the single most impactful play for the Steelers against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. But there is no debating it’s value in the win.
Cincinnati was looking to build on its four-point halftime lead when it took the second-half kickoff and drove inside the Steelers’ 20. Facing a third-and-7 from the 17 yard-line and well within the field-goal range of kicker Evan McPherson, the Bengals called a play that had quarterback Jake Browning target star receiver Ja’Marr Chase near the sticks to the left side.
Trenton Thompson with the INT ????
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Thompson stepped in front of Chase and secured the Steelers’ lone takeaway of the game.
“It wasn’t nothing I saw,” Thompson said, referencing any sort of tell or film study that led to the play. “It was just playing football and getting to where I was supposed to be on my drop, and he just happened to throw it to me.”
Thompson was especially pleased to make the play after he dropped a would-be interception last week against the Cleveland Browns during what was the first NFL regular-season game in which he played extensively.
Thompson was waived by the New York Giants at the start of their training camp and began the regular season on the Steelers’ practice squad. He was summoned for action only after injuries to Steelers co-starting safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal and reserve DB Elijah Riley.
“One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity (and) efforts like Trent’s today make that real,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’re really appreciative of it. I think it’s what team is about, particularly over the course of the journey that is the season. There’s going to be opportunities for people to ascend and change the perceptions of who they are professionally. This guy has been excited about his opportunity, and we’re excited for him. He delivered.”
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