Race for division title widens with Steelers win over Bengals

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

With big plays all around, Ben Roethlisberger and Le’Veon Bell turned the AFC North back into a wide-open race.

Roethlisberger threw three touchdown passes, including a 94-yarder to rookie Martavis Bryant in the fourth quarter, and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 42-21 on Sunday, leaving the division title up for grabs.

In a game they had to win to maintain their title chances, the Steelers (8-5) ran away with 25 points in the fourth quarter. It was Pittsburgh’s most lopsided win at Paul Brown Stadium since a 38-10 win in 2008.

By the end, the only ones left in the stadium were the thousands of Steelers fans twirling their towels.

For Cincinnati (8-4-1), it was a second straight lopsided loss at home loss to a division rival. The Bengals fell to Cleveland 24-3 before going on the road and winning three straight to take control of the division.

Now, it’s a four-way tussle for the top. The Bengals play at Cleveland next Sunday and finish the season in Pittsburgh, which showed championship form when it mattered on Sunday.