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          NFL Nation

          Bengals' upset of Steelers might be just what coach Zac Taylor needed

          • Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterDec 22, 2020, 04:30 AM
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              Ben Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN's NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).
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          CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor might have just picked up the win that saves his job.

          Regardless of how hot the seat was under the second-year coach, it might be cool for several months after a 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. Cincinnati ended a five-game losing streak.

          Taylor's fifth win in two seasons with the Bengals should quiet those who have asked about his job security after a rough couple of years. Cincinnati (3-10-1) was a 14.5-point underdog at home and beat the AFC North-leading Steelers (11-3) for the first time since 2015. On Monday Night Football, no less.

          Taylor needed the victory more than the Bengals needed to inch a little closer to the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. It was the type of performance that showed the team still believes in Taylor and his unwavering optimism.

          The Bengals jumped to a 17-0 lead to stun a Paul Brown Stadium filled with Terrible Towels. Then the Bengals were able to withstand a 10-point run from Pittsburgh, bleed the clock in the fourth quarter and score a touchdown that salted the game away.

          For a franchise and coach looking for building blocks, Cincinnati found one against Pittsburgh.

          Pivotal play: Cincinnati needed a big play to hold off the charging Steelers in the second half. Quarterback Ryan Finley provided that with his 23-yard touchdown run off a read-option. Finley handed the ball off on those plays all night. But with the edge rusher crashing down on this play, Finley kept it, had a wide-open lane and went untouched into the end zone. It was exactly what the Bengals needed to give them a little momentum to hold on to the victory.

          QB breakdown: Finley was summoned into starting duty after Brandon Allen couldn't play because of an ankle injury. Finley looked awful in mop-up duty throughout the season as Allen and starter Joe Burrow went down with injuries. Finley was demoted to third string because of those performances. But against Pittsburgh, Finley was everything the Bengals needed him to be. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 89 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers. His biggest contribution came with his legs on the aforementioned touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Finley played well enough to merit consideration as the starter for the rest of the season, even if Allen gets a full bill of health.

          Buy a breakout performance: Once again, Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson had a strong game. He had one sack, six quarterback hits and forced a fumble. Lawson has been the Bengals' most consistent pass-rusher all season and has helped fill the void left by the absences of veterans Geno Atkins (injured) and Carlos Dunlap (traded). Lawson is making the case for a big contract in the offseason.