So your ‘Game of the Week’ choice was the AFC North battle for top spot. Both teams stood at 6 – 2, the Bengals at 4 – 0 in the division, and with a shot at sweeping the Steelers for the first time since 1998. This game turned out to be a defensive battle with 2 of the best defences in the NFL. A major blow was dealt to the Steelers in the 1st quarter, when safety Troy Polamalu went down with a knee injury. Polamalu had missed the first meeting between the 2 sides, and was seen as the key to the Steelers being a lot more competitive this time around. The Steelers took a 3 – 0 lead through a Jeff Reed field goal, but on the following kick off, Bengals backup RB Bernard Scott ran the ball back 96 yards to give the Bengals the lead.
In the 2nd quarter though the Bengals chances of winning were dealt a huge blow as their star player of the season, and their hope against a Polamalu’less Steeler defence, Cedrick Benson went out of the game with a hip injury. Those worries were unfounded though as RB Scott came into the game, obviously encouraged by the run back earlier in the game, and churned out a hard 33 yards. The Steelers did go in at half time with a 9 – 6 lead (Bengals missed the extra point attempt) following 2 more Jeff Reed field goals.
The Steelers did struggle to get their run game going at any point during the contest. Rashard Mendenhall, who has been so impressive in recent weeks, ran for just 36 yards against a tough Bengals defence. The Bengals defence also managed to get 4 sacks on big Ben, and the young secondary looked very impressive. In the 3rd quarter just 2 FG’s were scored, both by Shayne Graham and the Bengals, to take a 12 – 9 lead.
Going to the 4th this was obviously a very close game. But surely at home, with the opponent’s best player out, the Steelers were still favourites. They went down the field, and levelled the game at 12, through Jeff Reeds 4th FG of the game. But the Bengals offence did enough to get 2 more FG’s, and that amazing defence held out the defending Superbowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, to take control of the AFC North. I now believe that the Bengals will sweep their division (they only have to beat the Browns) and go to the playoffs as AFC North champions. They must also be a threat to take a number 1 or 2 seed in the AFC, which would mean a ‘Wild card Weekend’ bye. Well done Cincinnati, you are now a tough, hardnosed, proven football team, a real threat down the line.
In the 2nd quarter though the Bengals chances of winning were dealt a huge blow as their star player of the season, and their hope against a Polamalu’less Steeler defence, Cedrick Benson went out of the game with a hip injury. Those worries were unfounded though as RB Scott came into the game, obviously encouraged by the run back earlier in the game, and churned out a hard 33 yards. The Steelers did go in at half time with a 9 – 6 lead (Bengals missed the extra point attempt) following 2 more Jeff Reed field goals.
The Steelers did struggle to get their run game going at any point during the contest. Rashard Mendenhall, who has been so impressive in recent weeks, ran for just 36 yards against a tough Bengals defence. The Bengals defence also managed to get 4 sacks on big Ben, and the young secondary looked very impressive. In the 3rd quarter just 2 FG’s were scored, both by Shayne Graham and the Bengals, to take a 12 – 9 lead.
Going to the 4th this was obviously a very close game. But surely at home, with the opponent’s best player out, the Steelers were still favourites. They went down the field, and levelled the game at 12, through Jeff Reeds 4th FG of the game. But the Bengals offence did enough to get 2 more FG’s, and that amazing defence held out the defending Superbowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, to take control of the AFC North. I now believe that the Bengals will sweep their division (they only have to beat the Browns) and go to the playoffs as AFC North champions. They must also be a threat to take a number 1 or 2 seed in the AFC, which would mean a ‘Wild card Weekend’ bye. Well done Cincinnati, you are now a tough, hardnosed, proven football team, a real threat down the line.
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