Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers
Getty PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers speaks with quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals following an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
The Cincinnati Bengals suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday, dropping their Week 3 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-27.
While the Steelers played well and had their best offensive output of the season, led by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Bengals made several critical mistakes throughout the game and ultimately shot themselves in the foot.
The game ended with Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow taking a sack with less than a minute to go, right around Evan McPherson’s field-goal range, and ultimately fumbling the football, which Pittsburgh recovered.
Burrow finished 28-of-37 for 282 yards, three touchdowns, and one turnover, while Rodgers finished 19-of-34 for 292 yards, three touchdowns, and one turnover.
NFL Reacts to Burrow and Rodgers’ Postgame Handshake
On Monday, the NFL posted a clip of Rodgers and Burrow’s postgame handshake after the game, with audio catching their brief conversation.
Burrow can be heard saying, “Good job, brother,” before Rodgers responds, “You’re balling out, bro… see you in a few weeks.”
“All love between @AaronRodgers12 and @JoeyB postgame,” the NFL posted on X.
All love between @AaronRodgers12 and @JoeyB postgame 🤝@insidethenfl Week 3 Mic’d Up on X pic.twitter.com/RMNrZi9j0U
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2026
Rodgers has now moved to 2-0 against Burrow in head-to-head meetings when both players are healthy.
Zac Taylor Praises Rodgers and Burrow
On Monday, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor praised Rodgers and Burrow as two of the best drop-back quarterbacks in the league, which contributed to both defenses struggling at times on Sunday.
“[Rodgers] got the ball out quick. He did a good job with the RPO game early on especially. Those are two of the best drop-back passers that walk this earth yesterday playing,” Taylor said. “So if you look at their defense, they were in a very similar predicament. What do you do? You pressured, you play different personnel groupings, we’re in the same bind. So that’s what leads to some tough decisions.”