The Cincinnati Bengals made all the experts look like fools. Everybody had picked the Steelers to mow over the Bengals at Heinz Field. But it didn't happen.
The Bengals beat the Steelers 18-12 to remain unbeaten, 5-0 in the AFC North Division.
It didn't start well for the Bengals. Their first drive took them to the Pittsburgh 33, but a 51-yard field goal attempt by Shayne Graham hit the right upright and bounced away.
The Steelers promptly drove to the Bengals ten, but they were forced to kick a field goal. Jeff Reed hit from 28-yards away, it was 3-0 Pittsburgh.
In a matter of seconds, that score changed. Bernard Scott took the kickoff at the four yard line and then dashed and darted his way over the next 96 yards for a Bengals touchdown. But Kevin Huber dropped the snap on the point after, and Bengals led 6-3.
Twice in the second quarter, the Steelers threatened, but on both occasions, the Bengals defense stiffened near the goal line. In both cases, Jeff Reed kicked field goals and Pittsburgh led at halftime 9-6.
Early in the third quarter, Ben Roethlisberger looked for Hines Ward, but the ball was tipped by Morgan Trent and intercepted by Frostee Rucker. He returned it to the Steelers 26 yard line. Graham followed with a field goal to tie the game at nine.
It became a battle of field goals. Graham hit a 32 yard field goal to push Cincinnati in front 12-9. But early in the fourth quarter, Reed kicked a 34-yarder for the Steelers. The game was tied at 12.
The Bengals drove twice more in the fourth quarter and both times they kicked field goals. The Steelers got the ball back with two minutes to go in the game, but Roethlisberger threw three passes to Hines Ward and another to Mike Wallace. All were incomplete.
The Bengals took over the football and ran out the clock.
The first place Bengals travel to Oakland next weekend.
