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Stunned in Denver, Steelers look to rebound against Bengals

Oct 28, 2007 - 10:56 AM Pittsburgh (4-2) at Cincinnati (2-4) Sunday 1:00 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers may have missed an opportunity to take control of the AFC North with last week's 31-28 loss in Denver.

Now, the Steelers begin a stretch of three straight division games on Sunday, when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pittsburgh holds just a one-half lead over the Baltimore Ravens (4-3) and a one-game edge over the improving Cleveland Browns (3-3).

The Steelers may look to get back to what has worked for them in the past - a ball-control offense, something they abandoned against Denver.

Through five games, Pittsburgh had run more than 55 percent of the time and entered last week with the league's No. 2 rushing offense. But it came out throwing against the league's worst rushing defense.

Ben Roethlisberger attempted 24 passes in the first half - including 10 of the first 13 plays. The strategy did not work as the Broncos jumped out to a 21-7 halftime lead before pulling out the victory on Jason Elam's 49-yard field goal as time expired.

Pittsburgh's defense, which ranked first in total yards and fewest points per game, also was exposed. Denver's Jay Cutler completed 22-of-29 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns after throwing only four TDs passes in his first five contests.

"We have to learn from this game but we have to put it behind us and come back ready to rock and roll against a divisional rival," defensive end Brett Keisel told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. "We'll see what type of team we have."

The Bengals snapped a four-game losing streak last week, rallying for a 38-31 victory over the New York Jets.

Backup running back Kenny Watson rushed for a career-high 130 yards and three touchdowns as the Bengals rallied from a 23-10 deficit.

But the Bengals may look to pull a page out of the Broncos' book by passing more. The Steelers have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 31 games and rank third against the run (75.3 ypg).

The Steelers have won five straight in Cincinnati, including a 23-17 overtime victory in last season's regular-season finale that knocked the Bengals out of the playoffs. It was Bill Cowher's final game as Steelers' coach.