The Bengals had their chances to take control of the game after a Leon Hall pick-six and a hold by the defense, but a classic and critical Bengals mistake allowed the Steelers to take advantage. On a fourth and six around midfield on a punt, Dan Skuta was flagged for an iffy running into the kicker penalty.
The result of the penalty gave the Steelers a manageable fourth and one and a tough run by Isaac Redman continued the Steelers drive. Ben Roethlisberger picked on the Bengals secondary, bringing the ball down to the six-yard line. On third and one, Roethlisberger scrambled around and fluttered an incompletion to a running back in the end zone.
Pittsburgh and Sean Suisham lined up for a gimme field goal and Suisham missed badly to the right. The Bengals defense was out there for almost eight minutes, but held strong. Upon review of the play, it appeared that the snap was a poor one. Bengals have the ball and the lead, 7-0.