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          Steelers score three first-half touchdowns against Bengals

          • Brooke Pryor, ESPN Staff WriterDec 23, 2023, 10:32 PM
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            • Previously covered the Kansas City Chiefs for the Kansas City Star and Oklahoma University for the Oklahoman.
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          PITTSBURGH -- It's a holiday miracle. With Najee Harris' second-quarter touchdown, the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the Cincinnati Bengals 21-0 with just more than seven minutes until halftime, their first 21-point lead since the 2020 season.

          Harris' rush added to earlier touchdowns scored by Calvin Austin III and George Pickens. Earlier this week, coach Mike Tomlin announced Mason Rudolph would take over the starting job in an effort to score more points. Kenny Pickett was inactive on Saturday, still sidelined following Dec. 4 ankle surgery. Rudolph certainly started off hot, completing 6 of 9 attempts for 121 yards and a touchdown as he orchestrated three scoring drives, aided by two defensive interceptions.

          On just the second play of the game, Rudolph sent a laser pass to Pickens, who cut inside and outran cornerback DJ Turner II. Pickens then slipped by the Bengals' secondary when safety Dax Hill missed a tackle. The second-year wide receiver, who was the topic of conversation in Pittsburgh this week for admitting he didn't block on a play because he didn't want to get hurt, raced 86 yards down the field for a massive touchdown.

          The touchdown from Rudolph to Pickens marked the Steelers' longest touchdown since Week 12 of 2018 against the Denver Broncos when Ben Roethlisberger hit JuJu Smith-Schuster for 97 yards, according to ESPN Stats and Info.

          The Steelers also scored a 7-yard rushing touchdown from Austin Iearly in the second quarter.