Plays of the Year: Pat Freiermuth grabs his first NFL touchdown

Steel City Underground presents “Plays of the Year” featuring the top runs, catches, hits and everything else in-between from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 season.

In Week 3 of the 2021 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense took more than its fair share of bumps and bruises. The Cincinnati Bengals applied lots of pressure, especially on a young offensive line that saw two of its members injured.

Without Diontae Johnson for the game, rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth got targeted more frequently despite playing less snaps. The former Penn State phenom earned his first NFL touchdown at a time the Steelers needed a positive moment.

Down 7-0, Ben Roethlisberger orchestrated a 15-play, 86-yard second quarter drive. To convert a third-and-two, Roethlisberger hit Freiermuth with a three-yard pass before JuJu Smith-Schuster made a 16-yard catch-and-run to convert a third-and 15. Najee Harris had one run nullified due to a holding penalty before breaking a 20-yard run on the following play.

Freiermuth, also utilized as a blocker in the game, got open on the next play to give the Steelers six points and Roethlisberger his 399th career passing touchdown.

Freiermuth, lined up on the left, was able to roll with Roethlisberger to the right, grabbing a short toss among plenty of black and gold jerseys. The Bengals defense was unable to stop the push from the offensive line, cover Freiermuth, and prevent him from stretching out to get across the goal line.

On the day, Freiermuth caught three passes for for 22 yards and the lone receiving touchdown for the Steelers in what would be a 24-10 home loss.