The Bengals pointed to quarterback
"You're looking at getting points, or keeping it the same. Then it’s an interception and they get points," he said. "Yeah it's big."
It looked like Dalton was throwing over the middle to either wide receivers Mohamed Sanu or
“I was trying to hold the ball back. The guy jumped the route, and it slipped out of my hand. Unfortunate play,” he said. “Sometimes when your arm gets going and you’re trying to hold the ball back, it can come out. It took a perfect bounce off the guy’s helmet and went right into the defender’s hands.”
JONES TAKES HIT: The Bengals plan to use speed wide receiver
The Bengals had planned to use Jones more than ever and with the Steelers taking wide receiver
As for losing Jones, Lewis said, “Obviously it affects a lot of things, because he practices certain plays, so you’re down a guy that you anticipate having. You have to adjust and move on. It’s part of the game. We just didn’t get the ball spread out very well today. We had balls going through guys’ hands, and that hurts you too.”
TEZ AGAIN: The best Bengal on the field, if it wasn't left tackle
RUSH STREET: The Steelers not only came in with the worst rushing game in the NFL, but their top two running backs were out and third-year man Jonathan Dwyer was making his first NFL start. So Dwyer went for 122 yards on 17 carries, including a 32-yarder on third-and-seven with 1:20 left.
Dwyer also had a 21-yarder, the first runs of 20-plus for the Steelers this season.
"They came out in three wide receivers and ran the ball in the second half after they didn't get much before," said safety
ANOTHER PICK: Crocker, who re-signed with the club Sept. 27, now has both interceptions by the secondary this season. With the Bengals leading 7-3, he made a leaping interception on the back line of the end zone when Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a shot at tight end Heath Miller.
"It was something I had a good feel for. I'd seen it a few times in my career," Crocker said. "I got a good break on it and it was a little overthrown. I've got hands, too. I'm a bad receiver, that's what DBs are, but I can catch one now and again."
SLANTS AND SCREENS
» Bengals center
"The nature of playing offensive line is, when you have a bad play, it’s glaring," Robinson said. "There are a couple plays I’d like to have back. It’s tough to make a mistake that keeps your team from being successful at a critical time. As a young guy, I have to learn from it.”
Faine, who says he'll be back the week after the bye when the Bengals host the Broncos Nov. 4, stayed on the sidelines to help Robinson. Also helping was injured center
» Lewis admitted he didn't have a strong case when he challenged a two-yard catch by Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace. Despite a replay that showed Wallace's knee hit the ground before the ball came out, Lewis stil threw the flag late in the third quarter and lost a timeout.
“It was thought (Wallace) rolled over