Steelers dominate Cincinnati

PITTSBURGH – Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers know exactly how to beat Cincinnati – with or without Chad Ocho Cinco.

The Steelers limited the depleted Bengals to six first downs following an early touchdown drive and found just enough offense amid the snow flurries to control the clock behind Roethlisberger and beat Cincinnati 27-10 on Thursday night.

Pittsburgh (8-3) wasn’t dominating – except on defense – in winning its fifth in a row over Cincinnati (1-9-1), its longest streak since an eight-game run in the early 1990s.

Ocho Cinco didn’t play because the Bengals deactivated him for violating team rules.

The Steelers trailed 7-0 until Roethlisberger threw a 3-yard pass to tight end Heath Miller for their first touchdown in more than seven quarters. They didn’t take control until backup running backs Mewelde Moore and Gary Russell led a third-quarter drive that made it 20-7.

Russell ran 2 yards for his first NFL touchdown with 16 seconds left in the third after Moore ran four times for 21 yards and made a 22-yard reception during a 64-yard drive.

Roethlisberger, turnover free, finished 17 of 30 for 243 yards, scored from the 8 late in the game as Pittsburgh held a more than 10-minute edge in time of possession.

Jeff Reed also kicked field goals of 37 and 38 yards that weren’t sure things given the slippery field conditions.