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Roethlisberger, Ward lead Steelers over Bengals

Dec 3, 2007 - 6:21 AM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- For Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers, there's no place like home.

Roethlisberger tossed two touchdown passes to Hines Ward and rushed for another as the Steelers won their seventh consecutive home game, a 24-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on a rainy Sunday night at Heinz Field.

Ward made a season-high 11 receptions for 90 yards and broke John Stallworth's franchise record with his 64th career touchdown catch.

"It's definitely a great feeling to move past Mr. Stallworth and Mr. (Lynn) Swann to the touchdown record," Ward said. "It's a credit that hard work can pay off. I've worked my tail off ever since I've been in this league. Being at the top of such a special franchise as the touchdown leader is really special."

"I told Hines we wanted to get it at home," Roethlisberger said of the record. "He got the first one to tie it up, and I had missed him on one right before, but he got it a couple of plays later. I feel privileged to get him the ball and play with such a great wide receiver, person, athlete, everything."

Pittsburgh is 7-0 at home this season while posting just a 2-3 record away from Heinz Field. The only other team with a perfect home record this season is the undefeated New England Patriots, who will host the Steelers next weekend.

"It's like coach Tomlin says, 'You win at home and the rest takes care of itself,'" Ward said.

Pittsburgh (9-3), which has won five of its last six contests, has defeated Cincinnati in the last three meetings between the AFC North Division rivals.

"It is great to get another win," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Particularly in our division and at home. In some bad situations, the defense stiffened and responded."

The Steelers knotted the score at 7-7 with 8:31 remaining in the second quarter when Roethlisberger scrambled for a 6-yard rushing score, diving from the 4-yard-line, over a defender, and stretching the ball over the goal line.

Glenn Holt fumbled the ensuing kickoff, setting up Jeff Reed's 21-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh a 10-7 edge with 5:45 left before the half.

Roethlisberger capped a 12-play, 66-yard drive right before the break with a 2-yard TD toss to Ward in the back of the end zone to give the Steelers a 17-7 advantage.

Clinging to a 17-10 advantage, Roethlisberger hit Ward on an 8-yard strike for his record-setting touchdown with 1:22 left in the third quarter.

"Hines Ward was Hines Ward tonight," Tomlin said. "I am excited and happy for him. It is a tremendoous honor and one he richly deserves."

Roethlisberger finished 21-of-32 for 184 yards with two interceptions.

Rudi Johnson capped the opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead with 8:28 remaining in the opening period.

After its impressive first possession, Cincinnati's offense was not able to get much going. Its only other scoring drive - a 24-yard field goal by Shayne Graham - was set up by Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker's fumble.

"Obviously, it is a loss that doesn't sit well with us," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "The difference wound up being some poise moments."

Carson Palmer completed 17-of-44 passes for 183 yards for the Bengals (4-8), who are 1-5 on the road this season.

"We should have got more done out there," Palmer said. "They gave me a couple of different looks. It was more what we didn't do than what they were doing. The first drive everything worked. After that, we just weren't making plays."