Antonio Brown took a shot at Joe Burrow after the Cincinnati Bengals dropped a 30-27 decision to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Week 3 AFC North matchup on Sunday.
Burrow had a real chance to either force overtime or pull out a late comeback in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, but the drive unraveled when he coughed up the ball near the Steelers’ 38-yard line. Brown, the former Steelers wideout, mocked the Bengals quarterback by posting a picture of actor Macaulay Culkin dressed as Burrow for Halloween in 2024.
Burrow still put up numbers in defeat, finishing 28-of-37 for 282 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Afterward, he said the turnover came while he was trying to avoid taking a sack.
"Trying to take a shot at the end zone, trying not to take the sack, trying to get the ball out, (and I) fumbled it," Burrow said.
The loss also added another tough note to Burrow’s late-game record. Sunday’s result left him 1-34 when his team is trailing in the final eight minutes of games.
Burrow also made clear the Bengals need more from everyone after their first loss of the season. He said, “Guys got to take ownership of their roles, got to take ownership of themselves, and just be smart situational football players,” Burrow said.
Even with Burrow moving the offense, Cincinnati couldn’t slow Pittsburgh’s attack. Jaylen Warren ran 17 times for 127 yards, and Aaron Rodgers threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns as the Steelers held on.
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The backdrop makes the point even sharper because the Bengals have had other issues in the mix, from defensive lapses to discipline concerns after a recent game. Dexter Lawrence pointed to penalties and tackling as areas that need cleaning up, while Evan McPherson was honored as the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his field goal work. Even with that recognition on special teams, the bigger question around Cincinnati remains whether the offense will lean harder into the quarterback who gives it the best chance to take control. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Secondary Suddenly Has A New Problem Fans Can't Ignore
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Now the attention shifts to a Steelers secondary that suddenly looks far less stable than it did just a week ago. Jalen Ramsey said he broke his right wrist in the game against Cincinnati, while Joey Porter Jr. briefly returned to practice before being ruled out for the next game because of a back injury and then dealt to the Cowboys, leaving Pittsburgh with another hole to fill on the back end. For a Bengals team that already showed it can hold up against the Steelers best rusher, the changing picture in that secondary only adds to the intrigue the next time these teams line up. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Have A Discipline Problem They Cant Keep Ignoring
For a team that spent the 2025 season near the top of the NFLs cleanest clubs, the Bengals early return in 2026 has been jarring. Cincinnati ranked second in fewest penalties overall last year, but through three games this season the group has already piled up the most pre-snap penalties in the league and sits fifth in total flags, a sharp swing that has changed the feel of drives before they can really get going.
The problem is not just the number of penalties, but when they arrive. Several have wiped out key plays and turned manageable moments into long, frustrating possessions, with the visible irritation spreading across the sideline. For a team trying to stay sharp in a tight AFC race, the question is no longer whether the issue is real - it is how long the Bengals can keep treating it like a temporary glitch. [Read more 🡒]