The Pittsburgh Steelers took on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11, an AFC North matchup that always feels like it could go either way.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Steelers' defense had the Bengals offense facing a fourth-and-1. Cincinnati lined up for it, but didn't actually hike the ball. The Bengals ended up with the first down anyway, though, because the Pittsburgh defense got into a skirmish with the Bengals, and it resulted in a shoving match. When the dust settled, Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey was tossed from the game. Both teams were given offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, but Ramsey's ejection gave Cincinnati a free first down in a crucial spot.
Here is more on why Ramsey was ejected against the Bengals in Week 11.
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Jalen Ramsey ejection explained
The Bengals and the Steelers always seem to get a little chippy in their rivalry. After the Bengals chose not to go for it on fourth-and-one and to take a timeout, the Steelers were trying to get the crowd into the game. As Cincinnati QB Joe Flacco was walking toward the sideline, Ramsey and Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase were seen exchanging words. It looked like Ramsey may have been trying to grab Chase's facemask, but the referee that was in the vicinity of both players decided that it was actually a punch worthy of a disqualification.
Jalen Ramsey ejected for this #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/CUXjYVRPvB
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) November 16, 2025
Ramsey tried to plead his case, but the call was not changed. Each team was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and then Ramsey was ejected for the punch. The Steelers were up 20-9, with 13:28 left in the game. Cincinnati ended that drive with a field goal to cut the lead to eight. Without the Ramsey ejection, Pittsburgh could have forced a punt or possibly stopped a short-yardage attempt for a turnover on downs. Instead, their lead shortened, and the Steelers lost a staple of the defense at an already thin position.