Bengals-Steelers: Week 10 Report Card

Even after a night's sleep, I am still in a state of euphoria as I observe the national media praising the Cincinnati Bengals.  With an 18-12 win in Pittsburgh on Sunday, the Bengals are in sole possession of first place in the AFC North.  It is hard to find fault with the Bengals right now.  They are the best team in their division and right at the top of the AFC with the Indianapolis Colts.

After watching his team fight for 60 minutes, Marvin Lewis said, "It's the most physical grinding game I've ever been on the sideline for."

The Bengals are no longer a team that lives and dies by the passing attack.  They are a smart, mature football team that knows what it takes to win.

OFFENSE

The offense was unable to cross the goal line, but did what they needed to at the most crucial point of the game.  With 6:17 left and a 15-12 lead, Carson Palmer entered the huddle and instructed his teammates not to give the ball back to the Steelers.  The Bengals offense marched 54 yards in 11 plays and took over four minutes off the clock.  They racked up four first downs on the drive that ended in a Shayne Graham field goal.

Cedric Benson left the game with a hip injury.  The combination of Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard showed the depth that the Bengals have.  Grade: B

DEFENSE

Finding words to describe this defense gets harder each week.  The Steelers were 3-for-15 on third down and failed on their last 10 attempts.  The Bengals sacked Ben Roethlisberger four times and tipped four passes, one resulting in an interception. 

Palmer said, "It was a team win but our defense won this game.  Field goals win games, touchdowns win games, we'll take this."

Mike Zimmer designed another great gameplan and it was executed beautifully.  It was another team effort by the Bengals defense.  Grade: A

SPECIAL TEAMS

All points came on special teams.  The only touchdown of the game came on a 96-yard kickoff return by Scott in the first quarter.  Graham kicked four field goals and had a 51-yard attempt bounce off the right upright.  Grade: A