Big Ben clicks in another Steelers' win

Ben Roethlisberger had a rating of 101.1 and was not intercepted.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- In his first NFL start at home and with some major help from a Duce, Big Ben struck "won."
Rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger compiled a passer rating of 101.1 by completing 17-for-25 passes for 174 yards and, most importantly, no interceptions Sunday at Heinz Field, as the Steelers rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals, 28-17.
Helping keep pressure off the Steelers' first-round draft pick from Miami (Ohio) was tailback Duce Staley, who rushed for 123 yards on 25 carries.
"It wasn't pretty, but we came through when we needed plays on both sides of the ball," said Roethlisberger after winning his second consecutive start. "When you run the ball [well], you don't really need to throw anything extra in there."
Roethlisberger hit running back Verron Haynes for an 11-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
"He managed the game very well," said coach Bill Cowher, whose Steelers (3-1, first place in the AFC North Division) will play the Browns Sunday at Heinz Field.
"He did his part and some other guys made some plays for him."
Regained the lead
Despite allowing substantial yardage to tailback Rudi Johnson (123 yards on 24 carries) and quarterback Carson Palmer (164 yards), the Steelers shut down the last-place Bengals (1-3) once Pittsburgh regained the lead, 21-17, early in the fourth quarter.
Right before the two-minute warning, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu -- the top draft pick of 2003 -- sealed the victory by intercepting his former college roommate -- Palmer, the 2002 Heisman Trophy winner from Southern California -- and eluding seven Bengals for a 26-yard touchdown return.
"It was a blessing," said Polamalu, who dropped a potential second-quarter interception right before Shayne Graham kicked a 34-yard field goal. "I was trying to fake a blitz but I am so small I got hidden. [Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau] put me in the right spot at the right time and fortunately I had another chance.
"I was pretty disappointed with the first one that I dropped," Polamalu said. "I count my blessings -- I was thankful to be in that situation."
Despite dominating the first half, the Steelers took a 14-10 lead into the intermission and then returned flat. The Bengals took advantage by running the first 14 plays of the second half, driving 71 yards and taking the lead on Johnson's 2-yard touchdown run.
Pass interference
Early in the fourth quarter, a pass interference call in the end zone against Bengals cornerback Tory James (6-2) guarding wide receiver Plaxico Burress (6-5) set up the winning points. Jerome Bettis' 2-yard touchdown run put the Steelers ahead for good.
"I can't fault Tory James for anything he did there," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "We have to play strong against [Burress] -- he's a big guy. He has to go battle and that's what he did."
Despite receiving the bulk of the carries, Staley has no touchdowns through four games because Cowher inserts Bettis near the goal line. Bettis scored the Steelers' first touchdown on a 2-yard run.
"If I get it down there, that means Jerome is going to eat like a fat rat, and I don't have a problem with that," Staley said. "I'm definitely licking my chops every week knowing I'm going to get the ball.
"I'm just thankful to be in a situation that I can be productive," said Staley, who came to the Steelers from the Eagles as a free agent in the off-season. "[Cowher] definitely has confidence in me -- he showed that after the two fumbles. It means a lot -- it shows he has confidence in as a player and a person and it definitely means he knows what I bring to the table."
williams@vindy.com