Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
The Associated Press
CINCINNATI (AP) - Joe Mixon rushed for a career-high 165 yards and two touchdowns, Joe Burrow scrambled ran for a score and passed for another one and the Cincinnati Bengals crushed the Pittsburgh Steelers 41-10, sweeping the season series for the first time since 2009.
Mixon, coming off a rugged 123-yard, two-TD performance in a win over Las Vegas last week, pounded away for 117 yards in the first half and helped the Bengals cruise to a third straight win over their AFC North rival after losing 11 straight in the series.
The Steelers (5-5-1) are winless in their past three games. The Bengals (7-4), dominated by Pittsburgh for so many years, have stamped themselves as a legitimate playoff contender.
Cincinnati scored on its first four drives, and former Steeler Mike Hilton returned a Ben Roethlisberger pass for a 24-yard touchdown late in the first half to push the Cincinnati lead to 31-3 at the intermission.
The Bengals defense kept Roethlisberger from getting any real traction until it was too late. He was picked off twice and sacked three times, finishing with 263 yards. His 15-yard TD pass to Pat Freiermuth came late in the game.
Burrow was 20 for 24 for 190 yards, throwing a 32-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins, and scrambling and diving for an 8-yard TD to open the scoring in the first quarter for the Bengals.
Higgins had six catches for 114 yards and a TD.
INJURIES
Steelers: LB Robert Spillane suffered a knee injury and didn't return. ... CB Joe Haden was ruled out (foot). ... OL J.C. Hassenauer (pectoral) and TE Eric Ebron (knee) were put on injured reserve on Saturday.
Bengals: OL Riley Reiff suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter and was questionable to return. ... OL Trey Hopkins left in the third quarter with an ankle injury.
UP NEXT
Steelers: Host Baltimore next Sunday.
Bengals: Host the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday.
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Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) makes an interception of a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. Hilton returned the ball for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
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Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) is tripped by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) after making an interception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
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Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) celebrates an interception of a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. Hilton returned the ball for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
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Cincinnati Bengals fans cheer as their team plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) makes a diving catch past Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Arthur Maulet (35) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) runs away from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) celebrates with teammates after making a touchdown catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs between Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) as he scrambles his way to a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
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