Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Bengals accomplished a feat
they hadn't achieved in three decades. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, however,
they'll now have to wait until next year.
Josh Brown booted a 43-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to give
Cincinnati a 13-10 victory over the Steelers at Heinz Field, vaulting the
Bengals into the playoffs while eliminating their AFC North rival in the
process.
Cincinnati (9-6), an AFC wild card entry a year ago, last reached the playoffs
in consecutive seasons in 1981 and 1982.
Brown's clutch kick came one play after Andy Dalton and A.J. Green connected
on a 21-yard pass to the Pittsburgh 25, and two after Bengals safety Reggie
Nelson intercepted Ben Roethlisberger near midfield with 14 seconds remaining
in regulation.
Roethlisberger was picked off twice on the afternoon, with Leon Hall returning
the first 17 yards for Cincinnati's lone touchdown of the game back in the
first quarter. He finished just 14-of-28 for 220 yards and one touchdown in
the loss, the third straight and fifth in six games for the spiraling Steelers
(7-8).
Dalton finished with 278 yards on 24-of-41 passing and was also intercepted
twice, with Green amassing 116 yards on 10 catches to help the resurgent
Bengals to their sixth triumph in their last seven outings.
The Sports Network