September 16, 2013Cincinnati 20, Pittsburgh 10Paul Brown Stadium
The Steelers lost their AFC North opener, 20-10, to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.
Pittsburgh scored on their second drive of the game, thanks in large part to WR Antonio Brown's40-yard punt return, which set the Steelers up in Bengals' territory. K Shaun Suishamconnected on a 44-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead.
Midway through the first quarter, the Steelers marched into Bengals' territory. QB Ben Roethlisbergerfound TE David Paulsonfor a 34-yard completion but Paulson fumbled the football before he was down. Cincinnati then took over and QB Andy Dalton led the team on a five-play, 87-yard drive that was capped off by RB Giovani Bernard'sseven-yard touchdown run.
Early in the second quarter, Cincinnati extended their lead, 10-3, on K Mike Nugent's 41-yard field goal. Later in the quarter, WR Emmanuel Sandershad a 43-yard reception that went to the Bengals' one-yard line. On the very next play, Roethlisberger found WR Derek Moyefor a one-yard score. It marked Moye's first career reception. The teams went into halftime tied 10-10.
Early in the third quarter, Dalton connected with Bernard on a 27-yard touchdown to give the Bengals a 17-10 lead. Dalton finished with a game-high 280 passing yards. Early in the fourth quarter, Nugent connected on a 25-yard field goal to give Cincinnati the decisive 20-10 victory.
For the 16th straight game (including postseason), Roethlisberger has thrown at least one touchdown pass, which is a career-best.
