CINCINNATI, Ohio (AP) – Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdown passes, including a 94-yarder to rookie Martavis Bryant in the fourth quarter, and the Steelers drubbed the Bengals 42-21 on Sunday, turning the AFC North into a wide-open race.
In a game they had to win, the Steelers (8-5) caught up and ran away with 25 points in the fourth quarter.
For Cincinnati (8-4-1), it was a second straight lopsided loss at home loss to a division rival. The Bengals fell to Cleveland 24-3 before going on the road and winning three straight to take control of the division.
Now, it’s anyone’s title. The Steelers and Ravens remained a half-game behind Cincinnati while the Browns fell off the pace by losing to the Colts.
Le’Veon Bell had another big all-around game, running for 185 yards, catching six passes for 50 yards, and scoring three touchdowns.
And Roethlisberger emerged from a three-game funk by making a bunch of big plays, including the longest touchdown pass in the NFL this season.