Bengals’ Mistakes Perpetuate Veteran Steeler Blowout
Entering week 13, this battle between the Bengals and the Steelers had tons of implications. First, there was the impending tussle for the AFC North between these division rivals. Secondly, this was the second time in a matter of weeks that these squads squared off, with the previous meeting highlighted by Bengals rookie QB Andy Dalton's late INT's that resulted in a tight Steeler victory. This was truly David vs. Goliath, as the exciting upstart Bengals wanted to earn legitimacy against the established 'big boy on the block', the battle-tested Steelers. Both teams were getting healthy for this game, as the Steelers had stars Polamalu, Harrison, and Woodley all back in the lineup together for one of the few times this season. Cincy had a similar recovery from the ever-evolving AJ Green (who got hurt in that first meeting with Pittsburgh), as well as their workhorse RB Cedric Benson.
The first quarter highlights, were actually low-lights for the Bengals. They come out on a solid 42 yard drive that seemingly results in a Gresham TD, only to be nullified by a Bengal false start penalty. Then they go to kick a FG (which is made by Mike Nugent), which gets overturned due to a delay of game on Cincy. To follow, the ensuing Bengal FG try is blocked by Steeler rookie Cameron Heyward, resulting in a lot of plays (and ZERO points) for Cincy. The game was scoreless after one quarter, much to the Bengals chagrin. The second quarter was an absolute blitzkrieg by the Steeler offense. The 'Burgs 1-2 punch at RB (starter Mendenhall and bruiser Issac Redman) pounded the ball to open, as Rashard ran it in from 3 yards for the games' first score. After a Bengal 3-and-out that earned them just two yards, The Steelers earned a huge 45 (yes, forty-five) yard pass interference penalty on a deep shot to Mike Wallace, resulting in another short Mendenhall TD run.
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The following kickoff was fumbled, in yet another crippling mistake by the young Bengals, giving the Steelers the ball back at their 23 yard line. Wallace was again a factor, catching a 12 yard TD from Roethlisberger. The Bengals answered with a 64 yard drive, culminating in an AJ Green 11 yard TD, cutting the lead to 21-7, but the Steeler special teams came into play again, as the quickly rising Antonio Brown returned a Bengal punt 60 yards for another TD, leaving the score at 28-7 at the half. Both teams stepped up on defense to open the third, as James Harrison made several tackles and even coverage’s to force the Bengals to multiple punts. Harrison also had 3 huge sacks and several more hurries, on the young Dalton. His counterpart, Lamarr Woodley, went out again with injury and did not return. The only 3rd quarter score was a 91 yard Steeler drive that featured lots of Mike Wallace again, as he caught his second TD of the day. That put the score at 35-7 in favor of Pittsburgh, where it would remain. The fourth was quiet as the game had been decided, as the Steelers inserted backups such as mainstay Charlie Batch.
This game just goes to show the difference between young teams and veteran franchises. The Bengals have a ton of talent and future potential, but turnovers and penalties will murder you, even more so against a team like the perennial powerhouse Steelers. Roethlisberger had another solid day (2 TD's and no turnovers), while Dalton completed less than 50 percent of his passes. Both running games were solid but quiet, but Mendenhall's two TD's made for that huge Steeler spirit. Brown (67 yards receiving in addition to his return TD) and Wallace led the way for Pittsburgh catching the ball, while AJ Green had 87 yards for Cincy. Now the Steelers are at 9-3 and look to sweep the rest of the way. The Bengals sit at 7-5 and are in contention for a wildcard spot in the AFC, though they have now lost all 3 meetings with their division superiors.
By Jason Burke
Pro Football Fans Pittsburgh Steelers Correspondent