Steelers' Surprising Upset Win Over Bengals Draws National Reaction

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers surprisingly defeated the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Their 23-20 overtime victory, however, came with a cost as two of the team's most talented players appeared to suffer significant injuries.

Here's what sportswriters across the country thought about the victory:

Nick Shook, NFL.com: T.J. Watt was again a force in the season-opening win... until he exited with what's feared to be a torn pectoral muscle. Najee Harris didn't leave unscathed, either, limping off with a foot injury less than two months after he sustained a Lisfranc injury in camp.

Peter King, NBC Sports: The Steelers looked like they might be in for a correction season after losing Ben Roethlisberger and GM Kevin Colbert in the offseason and with a significantly improved (and healthier) AFC North. Then Pittsburgh went into Cincinnati, turned Joe Burrow over five times, exposed the reconstruction of the Bengals offensive line and won in a battle of
whose kicker could win the survival pool.

Brooke Pryor, ESPN: Is this truly Mitch Trubisky's team? This will be the biggest question throughout the season -- especially if Trubisky's performance contributes to the offensive stagnation. The Steelers managed only 231 yards of total offense.

John Breech, CBS Sports: Pittsburgh needed five forced turnovers and an injury to the Bengals' long snapper to post a win in a wild overtime game. Minkah Fitzpatrick sent the game to overtime by blocking a Bengals extra point with just two seconds left to preserve the tie in regulation. The Steelers' win came at a high cost, though, as T.J. Watt and Najee Harris both left the game with injuries. Watt's injury is feared to be serious.

Noah Strackbein, Fan Nation: Without Harris, the Steelers will turn to undrafted rookie Jaylen Warrento step in at running back. The rookie rushed just three times for seven yards in the season opener and felt the emotions when Harris limped to the sideline.