What the film showed
Pittsburgh claimed the trenches behind tackle Max Iheanachor (78 grade) sealing the perimeter and Darnell Washington (80) providing dominant edge blocking. That opened running lanes for Jaylen Warren (88), who exploded for a 30-yard reception on the opening snap (Q1 14:55) and broke loose around left end for a 35-yard gain against Boye Mafe (Q2 10:16). While Joe Burrow (90) showed elite pocket poise and Orlando Brown (82) anchored Cincinnati's pass protection, Bengals edge defenders Mafe (56) and Kris Jenkins (60) struggled with gap integrity against the run.
Burrow carved Pittsburgh's secondary with pinpoint high-leverage execution, finding Ja'Marr Chase (76) for a three-yard touchdown against Jalen Ramsey (Q1 05:54) and hitting Tee Higgins for a 28-yard score (Q2 00:39). Running back Chase Brown (74) complemented Burrow by grinding out tough yards through contact with an 85 rushing grade. For the Steelers, Ben Skowronek (77) maximized his opportunities, snagging a 23-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers (Q1 00:57), while Washington punished defenders after the catch. Amarius Mims (75) stonewalled T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith (57), though Highsmith consistently surrendered edge leverage.
Self-inflicted mistakes ultimately cost Cincinnati in the 30-27 defeat. After Jordan Battle intercepted Rodgers at Cincinnati's 36-yard line (Q2 01:46), Cincinnati built momentum before stalling in the second half. Facing fourth-and-two, Burrow converted a 21-yard strike to Chase over Asante Samuel Jr. (Q3 10:11), but a Mims false start at the Pittsburgh 15 (Q3 08:53) forced a field goal. On the ensuing drive, Cedric Johnson (59) committed a critical roughing the kicker penalty on fourth down (Q3 06:48). Skowronek then recovered a fourth-quarter muffed punt, and a late strip-sack of Burrow extinguished Cincinnati's comeback bid.