Steel City Underground presents our 2025 Plays of the Year series: a weekly rewind through the biggest moments, breakout performances, and unforgettable highlights from last season’s Pittsburgh Steelers campaign.
Like so many AFC North rivalry games before it, the Week 7 meeting between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals came down to the wire. Pittsburgh built a 10-0 lead in the first half before Cincinnati caught fire, eventually escaping with a 33-31 victory. The result left the two division rivals tied atop the AFC North standings.
Amid rumors that tight end Pat Freiermuth could have been available in trade discussions for a top wide receiver, Aaron Rodgers made sure Steelers fans were reminded of Freiermuth’s value by connecting with him for two critical touchdowns.
With 3:55 remaining in the third quarter, Freiermuth lined up in the left slot. Rodgers recognized a two-high safety look that created an opening in the middle of the end zone and delivered a perfect strike. The touchdown, followed by the extra point, pulled the Steelers within 20-17.
MUUUUUTH FOR SIX‼️ @pat_fry5
📺: #PITvsCIN on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/N4pMqsweYZ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 17, 2025
Later, with 2:31 left in the fourth quarter, Rodgers gave Pittsburgh a chance to steal the game. Facing 2nd-and-20, he rolled to his left before finding Freiermuth streaking downfield. After creating separation from safety Geno Stone, Freiermuth hauled in the pass near the Cincinnati 36-yard line and raced the rest of the way for a 68-yard touchdown, his second score of the night.
Freiermuth finished the primetime contest with five receptions for 111 yards, averaging 22.2 yards per catch while leading all Steelers receivers. The two touchdown grabs were his first scores of the 2025 regular season.
Rodgers completed 23 of 34 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions. One came after Bengals cornerback D.J. Turner II ripped the ball away from D.K. Metcalf during a contested catch, resulting in one of the season’s most unusual takeaways. The other interception rested solely on Rodgers.
Check back each week as we continue spotlighting the plays that defined the Steelers’ 2025 season — one moment at a time.