Steelers hold off Bengals 24-17

Ward returns from last week’s injury to make one catch for 10 yards


CINCINNATI (AP) ― Andy Dalton saw all of it coming, except for that final throw.

Cornerback William Gay anticipated the rookie quarterback’s last pass and stepped in front for a game-clinching interception Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers held on for a 24-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, who will remember that last play for a long time.

“They take chances,” Dalton said. “They bite on things and try to jump routes. On that play they did, and it worked for them.”

It was a big moment for the surprising Bengals (6-3), who had their first sellout at Paul Brown Stadium in a year ― albeit with thousands of Steelers fans filling out the crowd. It was a chance to see how they measure up against the AFC North’s best after half a season of playing a lot of non-division also-rans.

They were right there with the defending AFC champion Steelers (7-3) until the fourth quarter, when Pittsburgh closed it out with a pair of interceptions.

“We went toe-to-toe with them,” rookie receiver A.J. Green said. “They have a great defense, but we belong in that league.”

The Bengals came into the game with a five-game winning streak. They were facing a defense that had only two interceptions and two fumble recoveries all season, a stunningly small statistic for a defense that prides itself on getting the ball.

They got it twice when it mattered most.

Rashard Mendenhall’s 9-yard run put the Steelers’ up 24-17 late in the third quarter, leaving it to the defense to finish it off. First, linebacker Lawrence Timmons picked off a deflected pass, ending a drive at the Pittsburgh 33. Gay pulled off the clincher, stepping in front of Jerome Simpson for an interception at the 19-yard line with 2:27 left.

Gay had allowed Baltimore’s Torrey Smith to get behind him for a 26-yard touchdown catch with 8 seconds left in the Ravens’ 23-20 win at Pittsburgh last Sunday. It wasn’t going to happen again.

Dalton handled most of what Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau threw at him until the end. He had two more touchdown passes, giving him 14 overall ― the most by a rookie quarterback in his first nine games since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. He wasn’t sacked even though the Steelers blitzed him every way they could.

“I felt like we had a really good grasp on what they were doing,” said Dalton, who was 15 of 30 for 170 yards with two touchdowns. “Even with all the movements and shifts that they were doing, I still thought we had a good feel. They did throw some things at us, but I thought we adjusted well and handled it.”

Until the fourth quarter.

Dalton didn’t have top receiver A.J. Green on the field for those pivotal moments. Green, who leads all rookie NFL receivers, jarred his right knee when he landed awkwardly on a 36-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Green returned on the next series, but was held out as a precaution after his knee tightened at halftime.

Jaguars 17, Colts 3

Saints 26, Falcons 23

Texans 37, Bucs 9

Titans 30, Panthers 3

Cardinals 21, Eagles 17

Broncos 17, Chiefs 10

Cowboys 44, Bills 7

Rams 13, Browns 12

Dolphins 20, Redskins 9

Seahawks 22, Ravens 17

49ers 27, Giants 20

Bears 37, Lions 13

Patriots 37, Jets 16