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A20 SPORTS
Wednesday 6 december 2017

Brown, Boswell lead Steelers to 23-20 win over Bengals

By JOE KAY ing in the same game. Ben
AP Sports Writer Roethlisberger was 24 of 40
CINCINNATI (AP) — No for 290 yards with a pair of
matter how high the stakes, touchdowns and an inter-
how big the deficit or how ception.
late in the game, Ben Ro- PRIME-TIME OPPOSITES
ethlisberger and his tough- The Steelers have won 11
to-catch playmakers al- straight prime-time games,
ways find a way to leave including four already this
the Bengals wondering season against the Lions
what just happened. (Sunday night), the Titans
Chris Boswell kicked a field (Thursday night) and the
goal on the final play shortly Packers (last Sunday night).
after Antonio Brown caught It’s been a horrific time slot
a 6-yard touchdown pass for the Bengals, who are 11-
— taking a hit to the head 24 on Monday night, drop-
while landing in the end ping their past four.
zone — and the Pittsburgh PRIME-TIME PLAYERS
Steelers pulled off another Roethlisberger has won his
improbable comeback last seven prime-time starts,
against the stunned Ben- throwing 26 touchdowns
gals, rallying for a 23-20 vic- and five interceptions. In
tory Monday night. those games, Brown has 58
Down 17-0 early, the Steel- catches for 883 yards with
ers (10-2) extended their 15 touchdowns.
best start since 2004 in Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) kicks the game-winning field goal alongside punter IN YOUR FACE
a physical game with a Jordan Berry (4) in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Mon- Bell and Burfict have a
couple frightening injuries. day, Dec. 4, 2017, in Cincinnati. The Steelers won 23-20. long-running feud on Twit-
Brown’s touchdown tied Associated Press ter, and it got in-your-face
it at 20 with 3:51 to go — their Ohio River rival, not nosis after the game. ESPN Bottled up by Cincinnati’s right away.
safety George Iloka was even after getting off to reported that Tomlin went aggressive defense in the After Jones picked off
penalized for hitting him in the big early lead. They’ve to the hospital after the first half, Pittsburgh’s play- a pass to end the Steel-
the head after the catch. dropped six straight and game to check on Shazier. makers made the differ- ers’ opening possession,
Boswell won it with 38- nine of 10 against Pitts- “Ryan is one of the biggest ence down the stretch, Bell shoved Burfict’s face-
yard field goal, his second burgh. players on this defense,” just as they have all sea- mask and drove him to the
straight winner in the clos- “Very disappointing,” linebacker Vince Williams son. They rallied to beat ground, drawing a person-
ing seconds. said Bengals receiver said. “When we need a big the Packers 31-28 last al foul.
Both teams know the script. A.J. Green, who had two play, he’s one of the guys Sunday on Boswell’s 53- BIG NUMBER
“It sort of reminded me of touchdown catches in the we look to. It’s going to be yard field goal on the final Roethlisberger became
the playoff game — what first half. “We had it.” tough.” play, which was set up by the eighth quarterback in
was it, two years ago?” Nope. They never do, not Bengals linebacker Von- Brown’s incredible sideline NFL history to reach 50,000
Steelers defensive end against the Steelers. taze Burfict was carted off catch. yards passing, joining Pey-
Cameron Heyward said. “We’ve got a no-blink in the fourth quarter after After missing practice last ton Manning, Brett Favre,
“It’s sort of the best reality group,” coach Mike Tomlin JuJu Smith-Schuster leveled week with an injured toe, Drew Brees, Tom Brady,
TV show out there — better said. “We’ve been in this him with a high hit, then Brown ran gingerly in pre- Dan Marino, John Elway
than the Kardashians.” situation before, and in this taunted him by walking game warmups and had and Eli Manning.
Two years ago, the Steel- stadium before.” over him. another big game, finish- OTHER INJURIES
ers came to Paul Brown The hard-hitting game was There were four penalties ing with 101 yards in eight Steelers: Brown missed
Stadium and pulled out an full of personal fouls, penal- for unnecessary roughness, catches. practice last week with a
improbable 18-16 playoff ties and injuries that could one for unsportsmanlike Le’Veon Bell ran for 76 yards toe injury. He moved slowly
win set up by Cincinnati’s have a long-term effect, conduct, one for roughing and had another 106 yards during pregame warmups
fumble and personal fouls especially for the AFC North the passer and another for on five catches, including a but started and finished
on Vontaze Burfict and leaders. taunting. The Bengals self- 35-yard touchdown play in with eight catches for 101
Adam “Pacman” Jones. Pittsburgh lost leading tack- destructed with 13 penal- which he remarkably kept yards.
Boswell won that one with ler Ryan Shazier to a back ties for a team-record 173 his balance along the side- Bengals: Jones injured his
a 35-yard kick with 14 sec- injury in the first quarter. The yards. line — cornerback William groin on his first-quarter in-
onds left. linebacker was taken off The Steelers remain tied Jackson pulled up, thinking terception and didn’t re-
Desperate for a win to sal- the field on a cart and tak- with New England for best there was no way he could turn.
vage their playoff hopes, en to a hospital for evalua- record in the conference. stay inbound.It’s the first Running back Joe Mixon
the Bengals (5-7) still tion. Tomlin had no details They host the Patriots on time that Bell and Brown suffered a concussion late
couldn’t find a way to beat about his injury or his prog- Dec. 17. each had 100 yards receiv- in the first half.q