Ever since the Cincinnati Bengals became part of the NFL with the AFL merger in 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers have dominated the Bengals with 68 wins and 39 defeats. On the road, the Steelers’ record is 33-21.
Naturally, the seventies stand out as an exceptional decade of wins (14-6) while the 2010s, which saw Ben Roethlisberger enter the affray, was even more outstanding (18-3). The additional win was the 2005 playoff game in Cincinnati when Roethlisberger led his team on the victory road to Super Bowl XL.
The 1994 season saw the Steelers win their second division title with Neil O’Donnell at quarterback. After the disappointment of losing a close AFC Conference game in Pittsburgh, when O’Donnell threw for 349 yards, much was expected the following year.
The Steelers used their first-round draft pick to take tight end Mark Bruener and with their second-round choice took Kordell Stewart.
The Steelers began the new season 3-3 which saw them tied with Cleveland at the top of the AFC Central division. After their bye week, a home defeat to Cincinnati brought a severe sense of reality to Steelers Nation.
Having scored only three offensive touchdowns in three games, a cloud of gloom descended over Pittsburgh. Kevin Greene recognized his team’s problem. “The reason we lost today is we’re playing below average football, and that’s a fact.”
When Kordell Stewart caught his first NFL pass in a win against the Jaguars, it settled some of the fans’ nerves. Despite four turnovers, a close win in Chicago next prepared the team for a Monday Night game against the Browns.
The Steelers’ 20-3 win would be remembered by many for the way Stewart earned his title of “Slash.” He threw his first touchdown in the NFL, ran an option for a first down and caught a pass for a first down. The options his ability added to the offense made Steelers’ offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt suggest, “We’ve just scratched the surface.”
The week before the Bengals game O’Donnell, who was seeking a new contract offer with the Steelers, pledged his future to the team. “Neil’s happy, he loves Pittsburgh, and he wants to spend his entire career there,” confirmed his agent.
The (6-4) Steelers at the (4-6) Bengals; November 19, 1995
Cincinnati began the game in earnest. David Dunn returned the opening kickoff 7 yards before he lateralled to Hill who took the ball another 55 yards when he was knocked out of bounds by Steelers kicker Norm Johnson at the Steelers 35. Jeff Blake took full advantage of the short field and five plays later his 4-yard pass to Darnay Scott put the Bengals ahead.
The Steelers replied with Johnson’s field goal from 50 yards after Kordell Stewart converted a third down with a 15-yard run to extend the drive. On the Bengals next possession, Blake finished his 8-play drive of 68 yards with a 1-yard touchdown run to increase Cincinnati’s lead to 14-3.
At the beginning of the second quarter Blake further extended Cincinnati’s advantage after a drive of 91 yards when he found Carl Pickens with a 1-yard touchdown pass.
The Steelers answered with a drive of 88 yards aided by a run of 22 yards from Bam Morris. O’Donnell found Ernie Mills with a 42-yard touchdown pass to reduce Pittsburgh’s deficit to eleven points.
The teams exchanged field goals which saw the Bengals take a 24-13 lead into the locker room at half time.
At the beginning of the third period, a fumble from Steelers Erric Pegram gifted another short field of 33 yards to Cincinnati. Four plays later Blake hit Tony McGee with a touchdown pass of 20 yards.
Although the Bengals were now a superior 18 points ahead with 25 minutes remaining, the Steelers offense was about to ignite. Having yielded to their rivals for over two quarters, Pittsburgh would put on a showtime performance that began with a 1-yard touchdown run by Morris.
After the Steelers’ defense shut down a Bengals drive, O’Donnell led his team 83 yards in 9 plays, finishing with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Andre Hastings. The Steelers added a 2-point conversion after Stewart took a lateral from O’Donnell before pitching the ball back to Pegram. The score brought the Steelers within a field goal of their opponents.
On the second play of the final period, Stewart lined up in the slot. While the Bengals defense didn’t expect O’Donnell to throw to him, Stewart completed the catch and turned it into a touchdown reception of 71 yards to give the Steelers the first lead of the game.
A poor Cincinnati punt gave the Steelers a short field on their opponent’s 39. Six plays later Bam Morris burst through the Bengals defense for a 3-yard touchdown.
The scoring finished after a Greg Lloyd sack forced Blake to fumble. Bill Johnson recovered for Pittsburgh. An 8-yard touchdown run from Morris saw the Steelers comfortably win 49-31 after being behind early.
The Pittsburgh Steelers 49 at the Cincinnati Bengals 31
The 49 points allowed by the Bengals were the most they had given up at home and the third-most in the team’s history.
“Bam woke up today,” observed Dick Hoak the Steelers running back coach after two-year veteran Bam Morris contributed 101 yards and three touchdowns.
Kordell Stewart would become the Steelers starting quarterback in 1997 and throw 70 touchdown passes for the team.
For the second time in two months Neil O’Donnell set a career best with 377 passing yards. The previous time was also against the Bengals.
It was the biggest comeback win for the Steelers after trailing Buffalo 21-0 in 1985 before triumphing 30-24.
The Steelers would finish the season 11-5 winning their twelfth division title before rolling over the Bills and the Colts in the playoffs. In Super Bowl XXX they came up against a strong Cowboys team losing 27-17 after O’Donnell threw three interceptions.
During the offseason, O’Donnell would go to the Jets to become the fourth best paid player in the league. After two years he would be waived and picked up by Cincinnati where one of the two teams he beat in his first season was the Steelers.
