The Steelers looked like they had a comfortable lead in this one, but A.J. Green’s touchdown toward the end of the first quarter made it 14-7. Andy Dalton threw to Green even though he was being covered by both Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark, but Green took advantage of his height (and the fact that Clark’s back was to the ball) to go up and get it. He landed awkwardly on his right leg, but he looks likely to return to the game.
A few plays later, Leon Hall intercepted a pass by Ben Roethlisberger as Heath Miller bobbled the ball, and the Bengals began another drive. They didn’t get very far, but good field position enabled Mike Nugent to kick a 41-yard field goal. Early in the second quarter, the Steelers still have a lead, but it’s a slim one – the score is 14-10.
For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.