Chris Boswell’s right foot gave Pittsburgh the final word in a wild AFC North battle. The Steelers kicker made all three of his field goals, including the 33-yarder with 2:15 left that lifted Pittsburgh past Cincinnati 30-27 at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers entered at 1-1 after scoring only three points in New England. The Bengals arrived 2-0, trying to show their fast start could carry them through a tough division road game.

Pittsburgh burst out with the kind of attack it needed. Aaron Rodgers hit Jaylen Warren for 30 yards on the first drive, then found wide receiver Roman Wilson for a 38-yard touchdown. Cincinnati answered with calm, patient football. Joe Burrow moved the Bengals down the field, and Ja’Marr Chase caught a 3-yard touchdown to tie it 7-7.

Rodgers kept attacking. Wilson made another big catch on the next drive, and wide receiver Ben Skowronek grabbed a 23-yard touchdown for a 14-7 Steelers lead. Boswell added a 44-yard field goal in the second quarter, but Cincinnati refused to let the game get away. A Bengals safety intercepted Rodgers with less than two minutes left in the half, giving Burrow one more chance. Burrow made it count, firing a 28-yard touchdown to Tee Higgins with 34 seconds left. The teams went to halftime tied 17-17.

Cincinnati grabbed its first lead when Evan McPherson hit a 38-yard field goal in the third quarter. Burrow then used his legs twice on the same drive to keep moving, showing how Pittsburgh’s pressure could not always trap him. Yet the Steelers answered with a strong march of their own. Warren turned short runs and catches into steady gains, and Rodgers found DK Metcalf for a 6-yard touchdown. Pittsburgh led 24-20 entering the fourth.

Burrow struck back quickly. After Higgins moved the Bengals into range, Burrow connected with tight end Mike Gesicki for a 25-yard touchdown, putting Cincinnati ahead 27-24. Then Pittsburgh got a huge break. A Bengals returner muffed a punt, meaning he could not secure the ball, and Pittsburgh recovered at the Cincinnati 14. The Bengals defense held firm near the goal line, forcing Boswell’s tying field goal.

Warren powered the Steelers down the field late, rushing for 127 yards and breaking free for runs of 47 and 26 yards on the final scoring drive. Cincinnati’s defensive line stopped Pittsburgh twice with sacks near the goal line, but Boswell calmly drilled the go-ahead kick.

Burrow had one last drive and finished with 282 passing yards and three touchdowns. Chase caught nine passes for 98 yards. But defensive tackle Derrick Harmon stripped Burrow on a sack with 53 seconds left, and Pittsburgh recovered to end it.

The Steelers are 2-1 and carry a hard-earned division win into their next game against Cleveland. The Bengals also stand 2-1, heading to Jacksonville knowing their explosive offense can answer almost anything, but that one late mistake can decide an AFC North showdown.

Chris Boswell’s Late Kicks Send Steelers Past Bengals