Steelers Take A 7-0 Lead On Rashard Mendenhall Three-Yard Touchdown

With 3:32 remaining in the game, the Steelers offense appears to be slow to get started while Cincinnati's offense, strong out of the gate, is hurting themselves with penalties, stalling drives, negating a touchdown and field goal -- which was blocked on the ensuing attempt. Following Kevin Huber's 32-yard punt, the Steelers take the football from their own 13-yard line.

Following a quick bubble screen to Hines Ward, picking up five yards down the right sidelines, Isaac Redman takes the handoff with three backs in the backfield, driving through tackles and picking up seven yards and the first down. Ben Roethlisberger connected with tight end Weslye Saunders on an out with Manny Lawson covering for a 14-yard gain.

Rey Maualuga burst through the line of scrimmage on the following play from the Steelers 39-yard line, wrapping running back Rashard Mendenhall for a limited gain. As the seconds expire in the first quarter, Ben Roethlisberger takes the following snap, stepping up into the pocket to avoid the pressure, finding Antonio Brown. After making the reception, the wide receiver sprints across the field down and down the left sidelines before Manny Lawson completes the tackle on the 45-yard reception to the Bengals 15-yard line as the first half concludes.

Following consecutive runs by Isaac Redman that gained another first down, Roethlisberger hands off to Redman a third down for two yards. On second and goal from the three-yard line, Roethlisberger hands off to Mendenhall who bounces off attempted tackles, falling into the endzone for the first touchdown in the game. Pittsburgh takes a 7-0 lead.