Russell Wilson’s season-high passing performance leads Pittsburgh Steelers over Cincinnati Bengals

CINCINNATI (AP) — Russell Wilson has been on the middle of a quarterback controversy since he arrived in Pittsburgh, competing with Justin Fields for the beginning job.

There was no debate on Sunday.

Wilson threw for a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns, and the Steelers outlasted Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals for a 44-38 victory.

“It was enjoyable. We simply had a good time,” Wilson stated. “We knew it was a matchup. We knew it was going to be a heavyweight struggle.”

Wilson, who’s 5-1 because the Steelers’ starter, logged the second-most passing yards and the third 400-yard sport of his profession. He threw for 452 yards for Seattle in opposition to Houston on Oct. 29, 2017.

The 13-year veteran completed 29 for 38 because the Steelers (9-3) rebounded from shedding to the Browns 24-19 in a Nov. 21 sport within the snow in Cleveland. He additionally threw an interception that was returned for a landing within the first quarter.

“I assumed our group smiled within the face of it, notably (Wilson),” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stated. “It is the primary time for him going by means of AFC North soccer, and I assumed he acclimated himself to it effectively right now. He put himself squarely within the historical past of this collection with that efficiency right now.”

The Bengals (4-8) misplaced for the fourth time in 5 video games. Additionally they dropped to 1-5 at residence, growing the chance that they may miss the playoffs for the second straight 12 months.

Najee Harris had a 10-yard landing run and Chris Boswell kicked two discipline targets to assist Pittsburgh to a 27-21 halftime lead. It was the very best scoring first half within the 110 conferences between the longtime rivals. Wilson had 257 yards passing for his greatest complete in a primary half in his profession.

Harris completed with 75 yards dashing and 54 yards receiving. George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Pat Freiermuth caught TD passes for the Steelers.

“We wanted all 44 of these factors right now,” Tomlin stated.

Burrow continued his terrific season, going 28 for 38 for 309 yards and three extra touchdowns. He harm his personal trigger when he fumbled within the first half, resulting in a Steelers discipline objective, and threw a second-half interception.

Burrow fumbled once more within the fourth quarter when he was sacked by Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig, and linebacker Payton Wilson ran it again 21 yards for a TD.

Chase Brown rushed for a landing for Cincinnati. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas every had a TD reception.

The Bengals have allowed 34 or extra factors in six video games this season, together with losses in 4 of the final 5.

“Laborious to course of,” Chase stated. “We will’t get a win proper now. We’ve had a little bit margin for error for some time now. Acquired to discover a method.”

Fields day

Justin Fields began the primary six weeks for the Steelers and directed the crew to a 4-2 file. When Tomlin determined to begin Wilson in October, Pittsburgh developed a package deal of performs for Fields.

The Ohio State product had a 7-yard run on a third-and-4 on Pittsburgh’s final drive, serving to the Steelers shut it out. He rushed for 26 yards and threw an incomplete move within the Browns loss.

Powerful street

Staying on prime of the AFC North gained’t get any simpler for the Steelers. After the rematch with the Browns subsequent weekend in Pittsburgh, they should face the Philadelphia Eagles, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens in a span of simply 10 days.

Accidents

Austin III was declared out with a head harm within the second half.

Up subsequent

Steelers: Host Cleveland subsequent Sunday.

Bengals: At Dallas on Monday, Dec. 9.

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