Steelers Are 3-3 With Win Over Bengals
The Steelers win over the Bengals---24-17--- was an important one. As Bob Labriola points out, the Steelers only have several commandments. One of those is clear and concise: Thou Shalt Win The Division. The win over the Bengals now puts the Steelers in second place (3-3) in their division behind the Ravens who lost to Houston yesterday.
Even without Mendenhall, Redman, Polamalu, Gilbert and Pouncey, Dwyer was able to fill those running back vacancies with a career-high 122 yards (going into the game, the Steelers running game was ranked 31st in the league). With a determined defense, fine field goal kicking by Shawn Suisham (42, 47 and 42 yards) and Roethlisberger completing 63% of third-downs as well as passing for 278 yards, the Steelers now appear to be hitting their stride.
Adding to an overall to a generally fine performance (excluding several dropped passes), Antonio Brown bagged 96 yards on 7 receptions. Heath Miller grabbed 53 from the air followed by Wallace's 52 yards on 8 receptions.
Steelers also dominated in time of possession 37:30 to the Bengals 22:30. Steelers blew away the Bengals with 22 first downs to their 11. Steelers managed to up their average yards per rush to 5.8. Just as impressive, the Steelers used their running game well to kill time off the clock in the 4th quarter. One of the ugly stats included five penalties by the Steelers costing them 50 yards as well as Baron Batch allowing a pass from Antonio Brown slip through his hands.
When four of the key players return, who knows what the Steelers will be capable of doing in the coming weeks. "I'm proud of the way those guys stepped up. There was never a doubt they would do that, " said Roethlisberger after the game. "It puts us right in the hunt, " added Saftey Ryan Clark.
Steelers next play Washington at home on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 1:00 p.m.
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