Losing is a part of growth, but that doesn’t make it any easier to stomach — especially if you’re a Pittsburgh Steelers fan who felt Thursday night’s disappointment coming from a mile away. What was supposed to be a showcase of grit, discipline, and AFC North dominance turned into a humbling 33–31 loss to the rival Cincinnati Bengals.
The stage was set for something special.
A primetime duel between seasoned veteran quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco had all the makings of a heavyweight clash. It was an opportunity for Mike Tomlin and his Steelers to prove that the past few weeks of strong play weren’t a mirage.