Cincinnati, OH – October 14, 2025 — The AFC North showdown between the Steelers and Bengals ended in chaos, as Hall of Fame–caliber defensive legend Geno Atkins called out the officiating after Pittsburgh’s 31-33 loss on Thursday Night Football. The Bengals may have celebrated the win, but even one of their all-time greats couldn’t stay silent.
“I’m happy the Bengals won,” Atkins said, “but the Steelers got screwed — that’s for sure. I’m speaking up because if we ignore this today, someday the same thing could happen to the Bengals in a bigger game. Today the Bengals won, but the Steelers played better and deserved a fairer result.”
The statement from Atkins sent shockwaves across social media, igniting the hashtag #RiggedTNF, which trended overnight among both Steelers and neutral fans questioning the integrity of the officiating crew led by referee
Bill Vinovich. Two controversial moments have stood out as the center of the storm.
1️⃣ Missed Review on Aaron Rodgers’ Interception (Q4)
With 2:52 left in the fourth quarter and the game tied 31–31,
Aaron Rodgers launched a deep pass toward DK Metcalf, only for Bengals corner Jordan Battle to intercept it. Replays clearly showed the ball sailing over Metcalf’s reach — possibly uncatchable — before Battle made the pick. Despite this, no review was initiated.
Under NFL Rule 15, only scoring plays and final two-minute drives are automatically reviewed, but coaches and fans argued the refs should’ve intervened due to the game-deciding nature of the play. The Bengals capitalized on the turnover, kicking a
game-winning field goal (33–31).
Fans erupted online, claiming the call “robbed” Pittsburgh of a fair finish. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin voiced his frustration postgame: “That play needed a look — it flipped the game.”
Yahoo Sports echoed the sentiment, calling it “a pivotal officiating error that changed the outcome.”
2️⃣ Questionable Holding Penalty on Zach Frazier (Q3)
Earlier in the game, with the score tied 17–17, Steelers center Zach Frazier was penalized for holding Trey Hendrickson
on 3rd-and-5. The 10-yard call pushed Pittsburgh out of scoring range, forcing a punt instead of a potential touchdown drive.
Steelers fans labeled it a “ticky-tack” penalty, insisting Frazier merely shielded the rusher rather than pulling him. ESPN noted, “The questionable holding on Frazier stalled the Steelers’ momentum.” Bengals fans, naturally, saw it differently — calling it “a clear hold” that preserved their defense’s stand.
3️⃣ Additional Missed Calls and Growing Tension
Earlier in the second quarter, a scuffle between DK Metcalf and Tee Higgins after an incomplete pass went unpenalized. While minor compared to the game-altering fourth-quarter moment, it added to the sense of inconsistency throughout the night.
Atkins’ public stance has amplified the controversy — a rare move for a Bengals legend to defend a rival team. Known as the “Monster of the Defensive Line”, Atkins dominated the NFL from 2010 to 2019, earning
6 Pro Bowls, 5 All-Pro selections, and setting a franchise record with 75.5 sacks. His comments carry weight, and his concern about officiating bias now has both fanbases watching closely.
The league has yet to issue a statement on the officiating, but Steelers Nation is demanding accountability. Meanwhile, Atkins’ warning echoes loudest: “If we let this slide today, it’ll happen again — maybe to the Bengals next time.”
Stay tuned — this one won’t fade quietly in Pittsburgh or Cincinnati.
