The Pittsburgh Steelers got a much-needed bounce-back win over the Cincinnati Bengals on the road, winning 44-38 in Week 13. While the Steelers gave up 38 points—seven of which came off a pick-six from a Russell Wilson throw—the offense exploded for 44 points (including a scoop and score from Payton Wilson on defense). Wilson rebounded impressively after his early mistake, throwing for 414 yards, completing 76.3% of his passes, and delivering three touchdown strikes. It was a thrilling performance that pushed the Steelers to a strong 9-3 record and kept them firmly in the playoff hunt.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson gets ready for the snap while playing the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024.
Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger shared on his podcast Tuesday that he had reached out to Head Coach Mike Tomlin after the big win. Roethlisberger admitted he was so impressed with the team’s performance that he sent Tomlin a text proclaiming they looked like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Coming from a franchise icon, the message carried weight, especially given how bleak things looked during the tumultuous 2024 offseason.
Roethlisberger’s statement underscores the remarkable turnaround the Steelers have achieved this season. Questions about the quarterback situation and offensive cohesion had cast doubts on their potential, but performances like Sunday’s show a team hitting its stride. With the defense still finding its footing and Wilson leading a high-powered offense, the Steelers might just be peaking at the perfect time.
"I loved that performance, Coach Tomlin texted me after the game and I said, 'Hey Coach, congrats on the game, that looked like the most complete game I have seen and you all looked like Super Bowl contenders,'" Roethlisberger said.
Roethlisberger live-streamed the game alongside his former teammate James Harrison. While Harrison had some concerns about the number of points the Steelers' defense allowed, Roethlisberger preferred to focus on the adjustments he saw the team make as the game progressed.
Keith Srakocic / AP Photo
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison joke around during a practice.
Rather than dwell on the defensive struggles, he highlighted how the Steelers adapted and found success as the game went on.
"To me that was the most complete game and I think that team could make a big run," Roethlisberger said.
It’s great to hear that Tomlin and Roethlisberger still keep in touch via text. Roethlisberger’s endorsement of the Steelers as legitimate Super Bowl contenders is a powerful message—one that fans will love to hear.
Steelers Are Legit Super Bowl Contenders
During Roethlisberger’s tenure as quarterback, the Steelers always felt like Super Bowl contenders, but that hasn’t been the case in recent years. Now, with Wilson playing at a high level, the team’s championship aspirations seem more realistic than ever.
Wilson, a Super Bowl champion, paired with Tomlin, a Super Bowl-winning head coach, forms a strong duo for any postseason run. For the Steelers, though, the real goal is to end their playoff win drought, which has lasted since the 2016 season. While Steeler Nation holds Tomlin in high regard, the time has come for their legendary coach to break that drought and lead the team back to championship glory.
ESPN
Late Steelers owner Dan Rooney (right) alongside Head Coach Mike Tomlin (middle) and former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (left) after a victorious Super Bowl XLIII.
It’s hard to ignore how complete and dominant this Pittsburgh team has looked in recent weeks. With Wilson leading the offense and a defense that continues to improve, the Steelers are looking like a team capable of making a deep playoff run. The future is bright, and the excitement around this team is palpable.
#SteelerNation
