Shortly after his 36-yard catch down the right sideline to set the Pittsburgh Steelers up with a 1st and 10 at the Cincinnati Bengals’ 13-yard line, wide receiver George Pickens made a gesture toward the stands.
It appeared to be Pickens firing a gun, which drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, turning what was a 36-yard gain to the 13 into a 1st and 10 at the Bengals’ 28-yard line. Three plays later, the Bengals blocked a Chris Boswell field goal, turning a bad Pickens penalty — his second of the game — into a disastrous one.
After the Steelers beat the Bengals, 44-38, head coach Mike Tomlin stated to the media that Pickens needs to grow up in a hurry after the costly penalties hindered the Steelers.