By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

 

The Steelers got off to a slow start, but quickly turned things around and defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24-10 at Heinz Field.

 

The win improves the Steelers record to 9-3 on the season and gives them a two-game lead in the AFC North after Cleveland lost to Arizona earlier in the day.

 

“It is great to get another win, particularly in our division and at home,” said head coach Mike Tomlin. “We did fall short of perfection like we have in just about every game we have played thus far, but the guys were resilient. They didn’t blink. They stayed the course and were able to get it done.

 

“You have to find ways to keep stacking the wins and sticking them with the rest of them and moving forward. We were able to do that tonight.”

 

Wide receiver Hines Ward had 11 receptions for 90 yards and had two touchdown receptions with the second being Ward’s 64^th career touchdown, a new Steelers record as he surpassed John Stallworth.

 

“Hines Ward was Hines Ward tonight,” said Tomlin. “I am excited and happy for him. It is a tremendous honor and one he truly deserves. I’m sure he will continue to move forward and playing winning ball for us.”

 

Ben Roethlisberger completed 21 of 32 passes for 184 yards, two touchdown passes and rushed for a touchdown.

 

The Bengals drew first blood when they moved down the field on a 12-play, 75-yard drive to start the game. Carson Palmer opened it with an eight-yard completion to T.J. Houshmandzadeh and an encroachment call against Casey Hampton gave the Bengals a first down. Chad Johnson took it on a four-yard carry around right end and Rudi Johnson added a three-yard carry. Palmer converted on third-and-three with a 10-yard completion to Houshmandzadeh.

 

Facing third-and-11 after being called for delay of game Palmer converted again when he found Chris Henry wide open for an 18-yard gain. The Bengals converted their third third-down of the drive on a completion to Antonio Chatman at the nine-yard line, and a face mask call against Anthony Smith was tacked on to give the Bengals first-and-goal from the five-yard line. Rudi Johnson punched it in from the one-yard line for the touchdown and the 7-0 lead.

 

It wouldn’t be the same fate for the Steelers on their opening drive. In a quick hole facing third-and-nine Roethlisberger found Hines Ward for a 19-yard reception. On the next play, Roethlisberger scrambled and threw to Ward on the run, but the ball went through a leaping Ward’s hands and was intercepted by Madieu Williams, who returned it five yards to the Bengals 27-yard line.

 

Palmer came out firing again with an 18-yard completion to Chad Johnson along the right sideline. Kenny Watson went up the middle for eight yards, but after that the defense played shut down and forced a punt.

 

Starting at their own 11-yard the Steelers moved backwards after a false start call on Alan Faneca. Parker had a seven-yard run, but on his next carry was stopped for a loss of four yards. Roethlisberger’s pass to Nate Washington was incomplete, giving the ball right back to the Bengals.

 

The defense stepped up again for the Steelers, forcing the Bengals to go three-and-out on their next drive.

 

It was more struggles for the offense on their ensuing drive, starting at the Steelers 14-yard line. Parker was stopped for no gain and on the play Kendall Simmons was called for unnecessary roughness, pushing the Steelers back to their own seven-yard line. Roethlisberger completed a short pass to Ward, who was knocked for a one-yard loss. His deep pass to Heath Miller was incomplete on third down forcing a punt. Daniel Sepulveda’s punt went out of bounds after going on 27 yards to the Steelers 33-yard line, and a penalty gave the Bengals the ball at the 28-yard line.

 

The Bengals had a short field to work with and put the ball in Rudi Johnson’s hands for consecutive four-yard carries. A false start on the Bengals forced third-and-seven and Palmer’s pass to Chad Johnson on the right sideline was incomplete. The Steelers caught a break when Shayne Graham’s 43-yard field goal was wide right.

 

The offense finally came to life on the Steelers next drive. Roethlisberger scrambled for a four-yard gain and then Parker added a two-yard carry. Ward pulled in a 10-yard reception on third-and-four and Parker went off right guard for four yards. It was back to the air to Ward for seven yards and Miller for a nine-yard gain. Parker got moving with a seven-yard carry, followed by an eight-yard carry off left guard. Miller pulled in an eight-yard reception to the eight-yard line and Parker chipped in with a two-yard carry. Roethlisberger avoided the rush, broke free and dove into the end zone for a six-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

 

Things continued to go in the Steelers favor when Grant Mason knocked the ball loose from Glenn Holt on the kickoff and Carey Davis recovered at the 20-yard line. Roethlisberger hit Miller for a 10-yard gain, Parker had a two-yard carry and Miller pulled in a three-yard reception. On third-and-five Roethlisberger scrambled, but got only two yards. Jeff Reed came on for a 21-yard field goal, giving them a 10-7 lead.

 

The defense stepped up, putting pressure on Palmer and killing the drive when Foote sacked him for an eight-yard loss, The Bengals weren’t able to go anywhere after that and gave the Steelers the ball back for one last drive in the half.

 

Roethlisberger completed a14-yard pass to Parker and added an 11-yard completion to Cedrick Wilson. Ward pulled in passes of eight and six yards, and Wilson added a nine-yard catch. Roethlisberger capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Ward to give the Steelers a 17-7 halftime lead.

 

It looked like the second half was going to be a rocky start for the Steelers when on the second play Parker had a three-yard carry and the ball came loose. Johnathan Joseph picked up the ball and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown. Coach Mike Tomlin wasted no time throwing the red flag and it was ruled that Parker was down by contact and no fumble. Facing a third-and-eight the Steelers came up short when Roethlisberger had a seven-yard completion to Ward.

 

The defense came up with another big stop, but they were called right back into action. Parker had a four-yard gain but the ball shot free when he was hit by Bryan Robinson and Deltha O’Neal recovered at the Steelers 25-yard line. And the defense once again responded. They put pressure on Palmer, forcing errant passes and not allowing them to get in the end zone. They had to settle for a 24-yard Graham field goal to putt them within a touchdown at 17-10.

 

The Steelers marched right back down the field aided by 14-yard completions to Wilson and Ward, who hung onto the ball after a crushing hit. Roethlisberger went back to Ward for a 10-yard completion to the Bengals eight-yard line. It would be Ward one more time on the drive when he grabbed an eight-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 24-10.

 

A fired-up defense brought pressure on the Bengals on their next drive, with James Harrison forcing Palmer into an errant pass to Henry. Cincinnati went for it on fourth-and-six, but Palmer couldn’t connect with Houshmandzadeh and the Steelers took over on downs.

 

Parker had a 12-yard carry to start the next drive, but the ball came loose, with the officials ruling him down by contact. The Bengals challenged the call but it was upheld. On the next play, though, Parker fumbled and Dexter Jackson recovered. The Steelers challenged, but the call was upheld, giving the Bengals the ball at their own 47-yard line.

 

The defense bailed them out by not allowing the Bengals to go anywhere and getting the ball back after forcing a three-and-out.

 

The Steelers got the ball at the six-yard line and Parker had consecutive runs with no gain. On third down Roethlisberger was sacked in the end zone for an apparent safety. Leon Hall was called for holding downfield, nullifying the play and giving the Steelers an automatic first down. Three plays later, though, the Bengals got the break they were looking for when Joseph intercepted Roethlisberger and returned it to the Steelers 17-yard line.

 

Once again, the defense rose to the challenge and didn’t let the Bengals take advantage of the miscue. Rudi Johnson was stopped for no gain and Brett Keisel batted down Palmer’s pass, giving the Bengals a third-and-10. Palmer hit Houshmandzadeh, who fought for a 12-yard gain and the first down.  Palmer threw incomplete to Chad Johnson on first down, and on third down Henry was ruled out of bounds on the reception in the corner of the end zone. Larry Foote made a huge play, breaking up Palmer’s pass to Houshmandzadeh in the end zone on fourth down.

 

“We put the defense in some bad situations,” said Tomlin. “They stiffened and responded. That was good to see and they did that all night.”

 

The Bengals had the Steelers stopped on their next drive, but Joseph was called for offside on the punt, giving the Steelers a first down and a chance to take some time off the clock. The Bengals were able to stop them on third-and-two and get the ball back. The Steelers defense answered the call one more time and were able to secure the win.