Pittsburgh Takes 3-0 lead on 44-yard field goal

There is such a thing about being too fired up.

Clearly the Bengals defense is feeling it, stoning Pittsburgh's opening possession with three consecutive stops on three called runs that ended with a punt.

Andy Dalton is feeling it too, except the results are slightly more negative. Following a five-yard run with 13:05 remaining in the first quarter, Dalton sails two passes over Tyler Eifert on catchable balls that should have generated first downs. Instead, both fell incomplete and the Bengals punt after going three-and-out.

Antonio Brown returned the ensuing punt 40 yards to Cincinnati's 34-yard (a net gain of eight yards for the Bengals); as if Brown doesn't cause enough damage against the Bengals. A second down sack between Carlos Dunlap and Domata Peko shoved Pittsburgh back to the Bengals 40-yard line, setting up third and 16 with 11:26 remaining. Felix Jones took the handoff from shotgun, picking up 14 yards and putting Sean Suisham in position to convert the 44-yard field goal, giving Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead.