Bengals wide receiver says Steelers 'gave up' Sunday

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd called out the Pittsburgh Steelers, claiming the team “gave up” during the final moments of Sunday’s game. The Bengals handed Pittsburgh its second loss of the season, 24-10.

“I think the good thing about that win was, not only did the Steelers feel that, everybody in the country felt it,” Boyd said. “Because the last plays of the game for them, they gave up. You could see it. They had three drops in a row. For a team to see that is giving us more power, giving us the antidote to know how good we are. For a team to just lay down like that before the game is over because no matter how much were are losing by or whatever the case may be, I know me, I know us, we’re not going to give up. We’re going to continue to try and make something happen. But they portrayed it to the whole nation on TV what they were about and how they gave up.”

The Steelers never led Sunday as receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster exited the game and did not return. Already missing receiver Diontae Johnson, the Steelers offense sputtered.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger finished just 38-of-58 and threw two interceptions. With two of his top receivers gone, he targeted rookie running back Najee Harris 19 times.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow connected twice with his college teammate Ja’Marr Chase for touchdowns. The second-year pro out of LSU threw three total scores, with the other going to Boyd.

The loss gives the Steelers the worst record in the AFC North so far in the young season. The Bengal, Ravens, and Browns each have 2-1 records. Pittsburgh will look to get back on track Sunday with a tough matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. If the Steelers hope to win, they may need to take the advice of the Bengals receiver and fight until the end.

Cincinnati will hope to continue its winning ways with a quick turnaround to play Jacksonville on Thursday. The matchup pits Burrow against rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The two also faced each other in the 2019 College Football Playoff Championship game, with Burrow ending up the victor.