Steelers-Bengals: From a Fan in the Stands

Story by Yinzer Crazy Steelers Columnist Jayson Erwin. Follow him on Twitter @Jaysonerwin2002

Week 1 has officially concluded for the Pittsburgh Steelers and...wow! What a game! And what made it even better? I was there! A friend and I went and it was actually my first ever football game. We bought the tickets when the schedule was announced and waited for months but we're just finally happy football is back! So in a twist, here is how it unfolded from our perspective...

Pregame:

It was about 2 hours before game time and we just spent time walking around the city where fans were hyped and ready. A lot of Bengals fans, some Steelers fans. A few comments were made against my black and yellow attire, some I can't say in this article. Let's just say, they probably didn't like the Steelers. But they were chill folks just happy that football is back like everyone else was. With about an hour until the gates opened, we got in line early. Some Steeler fans were trying to rile up the fans of the Cardiac Cats and they didn't take too kindly to that. A lot of boos and explicit language. Gotta love football season! 

The gates are open! We get some drinks and find our seats. We see Chris Boswell and Christian Kuntz practicing field goals and the Bengals kicker Evan McPherson and long snapper Mitchell Wilcox practicing their kicks as well. Paycor Stadium was filling up fast with 100% capacity. The more Bengals players come out, the louder the cheers. The more Steelers players come out, the louder the boos. Eventually, everyone was out doing stretches and warm-ups. About 30 minutes till kickoff, everyone went back to the locker room. Bengals fans were hyped for their revenge tour to begin and they had a lot of confidence going into the game. The starters came out with Jamaar Chase and Joe Burrow getting the loudest pops. The game has officially begun!

1st Quarter:

The Steelers would get the ball first to a quick 3 and out. The Bengals first drive would begin. The first play was a sack which quieted down the stadium a bit but still had some buzz. Then the second play, a pick 6 for the Steelers which got the stadium silent, besides me and my fellow Yinzers cheering for the star safety. The Bengals would get the ball afterward and have a long 10-play drive that resulted in a 59-yard field goal from Evan McPherson to a lot of cheers for the kicker the Bengals drafted who made a name for himself last year being clutch for Cincy's 2021 campaign. The Steelers would punt on the next drive and the Bengals would take over. Burrow would throw a pick but a penalty was drawn for defensive pass interference so the Bengals would keep the ball---until the next play. Alex Highsmith would force the fumble and it would be recovered by Cameron Heyward much to the dismay of the Bengals fans. The Steelers would only capitalize with a field goal though and the was still one score with the Steelers would be up 10-3 as the first quarter ended.

2nd Quarter:

The Bengals drove down to the Steelers 39 yard-line and looked to tie it up with a touchdown. Burrow would throw a pass but it would go right into the hands of T.J. Watt for an interception! The Steelers would take advantage and Trubisky would throw to Najee Harris off a wheel route and score. Steelers are now up 17-3 and the stadium is getting silent. The next drive for the Bengals would result in a second pick thrown by Burrow to Cameron Sutton. The Steelers would fail to capitalize though and would go 3 and out. The Bengals would be able to score a field goal before the second half ended and make the score 17-6. 

3rd Quarter:

The Steelers and Bengals would both punt away from their first two drives. The Bengals however would fire back with their first touchdown with a pass from Burrow to former Pitt receiver, Tyler Boyd. The next two drives would result in punts and be the end of the 3rd quarter. 

4th Quarter:

The Steelers would get a field goal and be up 20-14. The next drive would result in the 4th interception thrown by Burrow and picked by Ahkello Witherspoon. The Steelers offense wouldn't be able to capitalize and have to punt. The stadium and fans are electric now. Despite Burrow throwing 4 picks, they were still very much behind him. The Bengals drove down to the Steelers 2 yard-line. It's 4th down and there is not a person sitting down in the stadium. The pass would fall incomplete to Jamarr Chase. The game wasn't over though. The Bengals had two timeouts left. The Steelers would be charged a timeout due to an injury so that helped out the Bengals. An incomplete pass stopped the clock and the Bengals did call another timeout after an end around with Chase Claypool and the Steelers punted and the Bengals had one timeout going into their next and final drive. The Bengals would drive down the field, down at the Steelers 6 yard-line. With 4 seconds left, Burrow hit Chase for the touchdown and the stadium erupted. All they needed was the XP and they will win the game. And their kicker is Evan McPherson who rarely misses---well he didn't miss. His kick got blocked! The stadium was going insane a few minutes ago. Now their silent once again. Minkah Fitzpatrick, who got a pick-six earlier, made the block, and just like that, the Steelers and Bengals are entering overtime! 

Overtime:

The Steelers would get the ball first and got a three and out and had to punt. The Bengals would drive down the field, all they need is a field goal and they will win the game. Time was winding down and they had it at the Steelers 11 yard-line. Evan McPherson trotted out looking to win the game. It's a chip shot and the Bengals had it in the bag. I was ready for a loud stadium. The kick was up and the stadium was silent. That's probably because he shanked it! The kick went wide left and the Steelers still had a chance. 

The Steelers would drive down the field to the Bengals 37-yard line and Boswell would come out to win the game. And Boswell has never missed in Cincinnati and I was confident that we have already won. Snap was good and the kick was up. Then...DOINK! The kick hit the right crossbar and the Bengals take over again in good field position at the Bengals 45 yard-line. 

The Bengals got down to the Steelers 38-yard line and McPherson already made one from 39 earlier and lightning has struck twice, no chance it happens three times...right? Well, Joe Burrow got sacked back at the 45-yard line! The Bengals would punt away the ball back to the Steelers. And with about a minute to go, tying is looking like a chance here. And with it being my first game, I wouldn't be happy at all with a tie.

The Steelers moved the ball somewhat well. Trubisky had a huge play on 3rd and one with a pass to TE Pat Freiermuth that put them at the Bengals 45-yard line. There was also an offside penalty on the Bengals which caused the clock to stop which helped out the Steelers. The next play was another throw to Freiermuth that resulted in 10 yards and a spike that stopped the clock. Only 5 seconds left! At this point, it's a win for the Steelers via field goal or a tie. Boswell came back on the field with a 53-yard field goal needed to win. This is the game right here! The fans of both sides held their breath. Snap was good and the kick was up and it was...good! 

The stadium was in stunned silence at the game that just happened. Yinzers from all over the stadium cheered and waved their terrible towels! The Steelers shock the world and beat the AFC Champions with a fantastic defensive performance. 7 sacks, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a blocked kick, and a touchdown! The downside is a few injuries occurred. Najee Harris injured his foot but seems to be optimistic to return soon. Mason Cole was down earlier but should be good to go. But the one that looks the most serious is defensive player of the year, T.J. Watt. He is believed to have suffered a torn pectoral muscle. He will either have to get surgery and it may end his season or he may just have to sit out for a few weeks if it's not a complete tear. Though it would be a blow to the defense if he's not there, the Steelers remain optimistic as does Watt. Let's pray he has a full recovery! 

It was an amazing game to be a part of and it was my first game too! It'll be interesting to see how the Steelers perform without Watt for a little bit and will the offense be able to get gears turning as the season progresses? Next week we face an AFC rival, the New England Patriots in the home opener in Pittsburgh. And with their starting QB Mac Jones being questionable, can the Steelers handle the Patriots offense well? It'll be fascinating to see what happens the next week. It was just funny to me after the game. All the trash talk before the game, nobody said a word to me after the game. Just a lot of Yinzers yelling "WE DEY!"