Steelers vs. Bengals: Nominations for Player of the Game

Time to get this out of the way -- as if I don't see how this will develop.

Our nominations for player of the week during Cincinnati's 20-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers:

Giovani Bernard: Posted 65 yards from scrimmage on nine touches and scored Cincinnati's lone touchdowns -- a seven-yard run in the first, and a 27-yard reception in the third. When Bernard was in the game, the Bengals averaged 7.2 yards per play. On plays not involving Bernard, the Bengals averaged 4.9 yards per play.

Reggie Nelson: Didn't actually have the best game of his career, generating one assisted tackle. However, his interception on a deflected Ben Roethlisberger pass sealed Cincinnati's win late in the fourth quarter. He's quickly becoming known as the closer in games against the Steelers.

Mike Nugent: Converted both attempted field goals from 41 and 25 yards out.

Jermaine Gresham: Tied for a team-high six receptions (with A.J. Green) and tied for a team-high yards receiving (66, with Tyler Eifert).

Vontaze Burfict: Led the team with nine tackles.

Geno Atkins: Posted a quarterback sack, tackle for loss, an additional quarterback hit, and three hurries.

Michael Johnson: Played only 72 percent of the snaps on defense (left the game with an injury but later returned). But he still led the team with six quarterback hurries and three hits on the quarterback.