The Steelers (3-3) and the Bengals (3-4) headed into a heated division rivalry Sunday night. The game became more meaningful after both teams learned the AFC North leading Ravens (5-2) had been blown out by the Houston Texans. Factor in that both teams were reeling a little bit, and Sunday’s contest could have been potentially ended the playoff aspirations of one of last year’s representatives in the wild card standings.
In a performance that was far from perfect, the Steelers bullied the Bengals on their own turf. In a return to dominance, the defense and rushing game finally showed up for the Steelers, something that has been lacking up until this point in the season. With both Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman on the shelf with lingering injuries, third-string back Jonathan Dwyer wreaked havoc on a respectable Bengals defense without blocking from the Steelers two best lineman. Making his first NFL start, Dwyer rushed for a career-high 122 yards on 17 carries with rookie Chris Rainey scoring the game-winning 11-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Rarely used Baron Batch also had a chance to make a name for himself, but watched an Antonio Brown trick pass fall right through his arms for what would have been an easy touchdown. Instead, Roethlisberger ended up tossing a red zone interception ending the scoring threat. The Steeler defense finally came to play, holding the always-dangerous A.J. Green to one catch (which went for a touchdown). Overall, the Steelers look dominant in each phase of the game, and will hope to ride this momentum going forward into the second half of the season.
For the Bengals, the loss at home was certainly a disappointing one. Following this loss, the Bengals have lost 5 straight to the Steelers and are 2-11 against the Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium since its opening in 2000. The usually consistent Andy Dalton had a forgettable game with his 105 passing yards and a costly interception, which allowed Pittsburgh to head into the half tied at 14.
Perhaps the main takeaway for the Bengals is the emergence of undrafted free agent Vontaze Burfict. Burfict, a product of Arizona State, was once considered a first round pick, until the off-field issues, immaturity, and on-field antics diminished his stock. Still, Burfict was one of the few Bengals who disrupted the rushing attack led by Dwyer.
Burfict commented on the situation saying, “What happened in the past happened in the past. For me, what people portrayed me as at the draft, I totally wasn’t that guy. It’s not like I could go and confront media people and say, ‘You guys have got the wrong person.’ Whatever they put out there, they put out there. And whatever team got me; they will see the real Vontaze. I’m just totally the opposite of that.”
Despite the tough home loss, the Bengals have a reason to be optimistic with the development of Burfict combined with a defense comprised of seven first-round draft choices over the last five-plus seasons. Rookie cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who was injured in the preseason, will also look to bolster the Bengals secondary when he makes a possible appearance into his first NFL action after the Bye week.
The Steelers return home to play the Washington Redskins (3-4) in a showdown with rookie phenom RGIII while the Bengals are on a bye week before playing the Denver Broncos at home on Nov. 4.
By Zach Younker
