Dugger's play of the game ended the procession of field goals. With the Bengals in field goal range on third-and-9, Nick Herbig and T.J. Watt collapsed the pocket and the hurried Flacco threw a pass straight into Dugger's chest at the Pittsburgh 26. The new strong safety returned the interception 73 yards for the touchdown that gave the Steelers a 20-9 lead with 37 seconds left in the third quarter. A block on the return by Herbig sprung Dugger to paydirt.
The Bengals stayed within a score on a 48-yard McPherson field goal. The Bengals drove to the Pittsburgh 29, courtesy of a Jalen Ramsey personal foul during a fourth-and-1 timeout. Ramsey was ejected, but a sack by Herbig effectively kept the Bengals to the field goal, which cut the Steelers' lead to 20-12 with 9:41 to play.
The Steelers clinched the win on their ensuing possession. Gainwell, in full-time for an injured Warren, caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Rudolph to put the Steelers ahead 27-12 with 3:40 to play. Gainwell's 20-yard catch on third-and-11 and his 28-yard catch of a screen converted a first-and-23 to set up his touchdown on the next play.
On the Bengals' next snap, Brandin Echols forced a fumble by Noah Fant. Pierre scooped it up and returned it 33 yards for the game's final score with 3:22 left.
In replacing Rodgers and his first-half passer rating of 106.5, Rudolph completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and the TD pass to Gainwell to compile a 118.5 passer rating in his first extended appearance of the season.
Warren led the Steelers in rushing with 62 yards on 10 carries, but Gainwell gained 105 yards from scrimmage with 7 receptions for 81 yards leading the Steelers' pass-catchers.