(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steelers came into Paul Brown Stadium to a very pumped up Cincinnati Bengals football team, just coming off a big win against Green Bay at Lambeau Field.
Cincinnati was out for revenge against their division rivals after getting swept last season, and after having linebacker Keith Rivers knocked out for the season due to a Hines Ward block that broke his jaw.
The Steelers started out nearly perfect, going 3-3 on their first three redzone appearances with two Jeff Reed field goals and a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to running back Willie Parker to go up on the Bengals 13-0.
Hines Ward also achieved an NFL milestone, moving over 10,000 career receiving yards, the only Pittsburgh wide receiver and player to do so.
After a failed fourth down attempt in shallow Bengals territory, Cincinnati was able to move the ball down back down field to make it a 10 point game with a Shayne Graham field goal.
The Steelers completely controlled the first half and looked as if it was going to be an easy win.
The Bengals first half performance didn’t even come close to matching that of the Steelers, as the last minute field goal drive to end the first half was the most offensive production on the day.
The Steelers came out in the second half looking to continue where they had left off in the first half.
However, after a questionable pass interference call on Steelers’ wide receiver Hines Ward, Roethlisberger was intercepted by Bengals’ cornerback Jonathan Joseph for an easy touchdown. Shayne Graham missed the PAT making the score 13 – 9.
After a short four play drive, Ben Roethlisberger threw deep to second year wide out Limas Sweed on what was sure to be a 34-yard touchdown strike, but Sweed was unable to hang on to the ball in the endzone. It wasn’t the first time Sweed’s dropped a touchdown pass, as he did the same in last year’s AFC Championship against the Ravens.
Jeff Reed, who was 2/2 on the day, came out for a 53-yard field goal try and missed wide left.
After a Cincinnati punt, Ben Roethlisberger initiated a 75-yard touchdown drive, capped off by a one yard run himself.
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