George Pickens silences critics with epic performance; Steelers cling to playoff hopes with win over Bengals

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

George Pickens heard the noise and knew he had to change the narrative.

In the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 15 game against the Indianapolis Colts, he showed zero effort on a block that could have resulted in a touchdown.

Teammate Jaylen Warren and former Steelers coach Bill Cowher criticized Pickens.

Current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin even seemed to deliver a hard-hitting message earlier this week.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens outruns the Cincinnati Bengals' defense for an 86-yard touchdown in the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium.  (Philip G. Pavely/USA Today Sports)

Pickens rewrote the script quickly, and his Steelers delivered a 34-11 rout of the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals Saturday.

The Steelers got the party started early. On their second play, Pickens caught a slant and took it to the house for an 86-yard touchdown. On their next drive, Calvin Austin punched one in on an end-around, and Najee Harris also found the end zone. 

Pittsburgh intercepted Jake Browning twice, once in the end zone, to take a 24-0 lead into halftime.

But on Cincinnati’s first play of the second half, Tee Higgins ran for 80 yards to get the Bengals on the board. The Bengals converted a two-point conversion to make it a two-possession game. 

But the Steelers answered right back with another long score to Pickens, this one for 66 yards. 

George Pickens of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a deep pass for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium Dec. 23, 2023, in Pittsburgh.  (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Pickens had just four receptions