Bengals beat Steelers to top AFC North

PITTSBURGH - Bernard Scott raced 96 yards with a kickoff return as the surprising Cincinnati Bengals took control of the AFC North Division with an 18-12 victory over the NFL champion Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Scott’s run was the game’s only touchdown in Cincinnati’s (7-2) second win over Pittsburgh (6-3) this season.

“That’s a big win,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told reporters. “It’s a grinding football game, probably the most physical, grinding football game I’ve ever been on the sideline to experience. It says that we’ve got guys that can make plays down the stretch.”

The key, he said, was being able to contain and corral Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was sacked four times and held to 174 yards passing. Scott, a rookie, also drew high praise.

“The kickoff return was amazing; the moves he made, the cuts he made, and just to come in against a defense that he’s never played against,” said Bengals’ quarterback Carson Palmer, who completed 18 of 30 passes for 178 yards. Scott was pressed into duty as the Bengals’ running back after starter Cedric Benson was injured in the second quarter, and he wound up the team’s leading rusher, gaining 33 yards on 13 carries. Reuters