BENGALS BEAT STEELERS ON LATE TOUCHDOWN

The Pittsburgh Steelers know full well that being Superbowl champion means that they have a target on their back for opposing NFL teams every week.  That was definitely the case this past weekend, when the Cincinnati Bengals completed a second half rally culminating with a touchdown pass with 14 second remaining to defeat the Steelers 23-20.  It was the Bengals’ first win against the Steelers at home in their past eight tries.  The Steelers dropped to 1-2 with the setback, while the Bengals improved to 2-1.

NFL sports betting fans that backed Cincinnati as +3 home underdogs were financially rewarded with the Bengals outright victory.  Cincinnati improved to 2-1 against the spread, while the Steelers dropped to 0-3 against the number.  The 43 points scored went OVER the posted total of 36’.  The Bengals have gone OVER in two of their three games this year, while Pittsburgh saw the total go OVER for the first time this NFL season.

Bengals’ lineman Bobbie Williams said after the game that it was the dawning of a new era for Cincinnati:

"Priceless. The past is the past. This is a new team and a new day."

Quarterback Carson Palmer evoked a different adjective as he commended the intensity of the fans:

"Indescribable. The fans wanted it as much as we did, and it felt great to see those hands go up signaling a touchdown and hear them roar."

Defensive lineman Tank Johnson concurred:

"It's huge. This team is a very good football team. If we eliminate the immature mistakes, the sky is the limit."
Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis praised quarterback Carson Palmer’s ability to remain calm and focused despite being behind on the scoreboard:

"We've got a quarterback who's comfortable at those points in the game. He's got a calm about him."

The Steelers’ Hines Ward, meanwhile, lamented the lost opportunity of long drives that yielded only field goals:

"If we score touchdowns in the first half, it's not even a game. It's 24-0 or 24-3. It's not very good. You've got to put up seven points instead of 3s. That's how you finish a team off."

Pittsburgh will host the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night.  The Steelers are a 6’ home favorite with the total set at 43.  They’ll play at Detroit the following weekend before hosting the Cleveland Browns on October 18.  The Bengals will play their cross state rivals in Cleveland this weekend.  Cincinnati is a -5’ road favorite with the total set at 38.  They’ll play the Ravens at Baltimore the following weekend before returning home to face the Houston Texans on October 18th.