Steelers' turnabout capsizes Bengals

Pittsburgh didn't panic after falling behind 10-0.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CINCINNATI -- Day and night accurately describes how opposite the playoff-tested Steelers performed in Sunday's wild-card victory, 31-17, at Paul Brown Stadium.
"The biggest thing was to not overreact," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said of his team's three-point halftime deficit after their shaky play Sunday against the their AFC North Division rivals Bengals.
"We felt at halftime that we had taken their best shot," Cowher said. "There were so many positive things coming from their side and it was only 17-14. I felt good that we didn't play well in the first half, but yet we were only down by three points."
Of the second-half collapse, Chad Johnson, the Bengals' outspoken wide receiver, said he has "no idea what happened. All I could do was try to make plays when the opportunities came."
Despite losing their Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer to an ACL injury in the first five minutes, the Bengals played like division champions, scoring the first three times they had the ball.
Thanks to Palmer's 66-yard pass to wide receiver Chris Henry on their second offensive play, the Bengals scored early.
Palmer is sidelined
But before Shayne Graham's 23-yard field goal put the Bengals ahead, Palmer was knocked out on a hit by defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen and Henry was lost a few plays later with an ankle injury.
The lead grew to 10-0 late in the first quarter when backup quarterback Jon Kitna directed the Bengals 76 yards on just seven plays, capping the drive with Rudi Johnson's 20-yard touchdown run.
The Bengals' third possession was the drive that seemingly wouldn't end, at least from the Steelers' perspective. The Bengals ran off 14 plays to gain 57 yards and more importantly, gobbled 8:47 off the clock. Twice, they were stopped on third-down plays, but received new life.
"We literally gave them the second touchdown, stopping them inside the red zone," safety Chris Hope said. "We can't afford to keep giving a team with all that talent and those weapons those chances."
After converting two third downs, the Bengals faced third-and-1 at the when Pittsburgh 7 when right guard Bobbie Williams was called for holding. Kitna's pass was deflected and nearly picked off by safety Troy Polamalu, who got up off the field and threw a punch that missed.
Asked if someone insulted him, Polamalu said, "No, I was just being stupid."
10-point lead
On the next third down, linebacker James Farrior was penalized for illegal contact, setting up the Bengals with first down at the 11. Three plays later, Kitna found wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh for the 10-point lead.
Johnson caught four passes for 59 yards as Kitna completed 24 of 40 tosses for 197 yards. Palmer completed his one pass to Henry for 66 yards.
The Steelers responded with their second touchdown that was set up by Roethlisberger's 54-yard pass to wide receiver Cedric Wilson to the 21.
On third-and-goal, Roethlisberger hit Ward on a crossing pattern in the end zone for 5-yard touchdown for a 17-14 score.
The Bengals began the third quarter playing the way they did for much of the first half. Kitna ran off 11 plays before the drive stalled at the Pittsburgh 5.
The Bengals botched the field goal attempt with a high snap. Eight plays later, the Steelers zapped the Bengals and their fans when Jerome Bettis scored a 5-yard touchdown.
During the third quarter, the Bengals were penalized 50 yards and Kitna was sacked three teams as the Steelers generated an 11-point lead.
14-point cushion
And on the third play of fourth quarter, linebacker James Farrior picked off Kitna and returned the ball 22 yards to the Cincinnati 40 to set up Jeff Reed's 25-yard field goal gave the Steelers a 14-point cushion with 10:29 to go.
In all, Roethlisberger completed 14 of 19 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns.
Trailing 10-0 late in the first quarter, Roethlisberger took the Steelers 60 yards on eight plays. Roethlisberger tossed a screen pass to running back Willie Parker for a 19-yard touchdown.
"To be down 10-0 and score a touchdown, we were right back in it," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "There was no overreacting by anybody out there. It was just a matter of withstanding the storm."
Roethlisberger also connected with Ward for a 5-yard score late in the second quarter.
williams@vindy.com