The Pittsburgh Steelers exploded for 32 second half points Sunday at Paul Brown stadium on their way to a big 42-21 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Steelers running back Le’veon Bell once again showed Sunday that he is perhaps the best ball carrier in the league as he recorded his third-straight 200 yard performance that included 185 rushing yards on 26 carries. He also score three times in the win.
Most of Bell’s success came on power runs to the left which were aided by solid blocking from guard David DeCastro, tight end Heath Miller and occasionally fullback Will Johnson.
While quarterback Ben Roethlisberger struggled again at times during the game with his accuracy, he still managed to finish 25-of-39 for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Roethlisberger also effectively put the game away for good when he hit rookie wide receiver Martavis Bryant for a 94-yard touchdown with 8:31 left in the fourth quarter. On that play, Roethlisberger threw the ball a good 50 yards in the air to a wide open Bryant, who had blown past Bengals cornerback Leon Hall down the right side.
The Steelers defense played well early on in the game but struggled mightily in the second quarter. They also didn’t have an answer for Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, who caught 11 catches for 224 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort. The Steelers defense also gave up four explosive plays of 20 yards or more in the game with the longest going 81 yards to Green.
Linebacker Arthur Moats recorded a forced fumble in the game to go along with a recovery a two sacks. The Steelers defense also only allowed the Bengals offense to convert three third downs out of 11 tries.
The win now guarantees that the Steelers won’t finish the 2014 season with a losing record and it also keeps them very much alive in the race to win the AFC North win three games remaining in the regular season.
The Steelers will be on the road again next Sunday as they will play the Atlanta Falcons, who still have to play the Green Bay Packers Monday night.
