The Pittsburgh Steelers got their revenge on the Cincinnati Bengals for their loss earlier this season. They blew the Bengals out, winning 34-12. However, the score was close for much of the contest. It was Kyle Dugger’s pick-six in the third quarter that helped the Steelers pull away. While that was arguably the biggest play of the game. Dugger remained humble when breaking it down.
“I ain’t really do too much,” Dugger said after the game in an interview with CBS. “I was the free man on the play and he kind of threw it right to me. I can’t take no extra credit for it. He threw it right to me and I caught it and went the other way.”
While Dugger doesn’t want any extra credit, he deserves it. The Steelers needed that kind of play badly. They were only up by four points before that, and their offense was struggling. Add in that Aaron Rodgers missed the entire second half due to injury, and the Steelers needed to lean on their defense.
The Bengals were moving the ball well on that drive, too. They were at the Steelers’ 35-yard line, so at the very least, it seemed like they could get off a field goal attempt. However, Dugger stepped up, not only picking off Joe Flacco, but also taking the ball all the way back for a touchdown.
This marks Dugger’s first interception as a Steeler, but he’s been making plays since he got to Pittsburgh. The Steelers asked him to start shortly after they traded for him, and he didn’t look out of place. Since then, Dugger has been a mainstay in the backend of the Steelers’ defense, giving them more stability.
While the Steelers didn’t make any moves at the trade deadline, their in-season trade for Dugger continues to look like a solid move. The Steelers’ secondary as a whole played much better against the Bengals’ offense this time around. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins had much quieter days. Dugger and the entire Steelers’ defense deserve credit for that. His interception was a turning point, though, and he should be highlighted for it.
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