Cincinnati Bengals: 3 Reasons for loss vs. Steelers in Week 13

1. Stalling Out When It Matters Most

Despite all the injuries, penalties, and Pittsburgh just being a much better team, Cincinnati had plenty of opportunity to still win this game even as it got close at the end. After all, they did begin the game with a 17-0 lead, and they ended it converting 7-of-14 third downs. What they didn’t manage to do was make anything happen on offense when they needed to the most.

With less than a minute off the clock in the fourth quarter, Cincinnati had gone on seven different drives. They managed to find the kind of rhythm that has eluded them throughout 2017 on those drives; of them, only one was a three and out. Even when they weren’t scoring, they were at least ticking time off the clock with a lead.

Apparently, that couldn’t last. The final two drives Cincinnati embarked on became exactly the sort of failed showcases they’ve been plagued by this season; each would go three and out. These came with the game still well within Cincinnati’s grasp too: when they began their second-to-last drive, the Bengals still held a 20-13 lead, and on their final drive they were tied 20-20 with nearly four minutes remaining — giving them full control of the ending sequence of the contest.

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Those three and outs were the game, and a poignant snapshot of this rivalry. Even when Cincinnati finds itself in prime position for a win, one way or another it is always Pittsburgh who comes away with the victory. This time around, it will likely serve as the final straw to break in a season full a disappointment for the Bengals.

Making sure future seasons have a better outcome will start with Cincinnati finally figuring out how to finish a game against that team.