Steelers Bounce Back to Upset Bengals, 30-9

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that has done virtually nothing right this season, could do nothing wrong Sunday.

Mark Malone returned from a two-week injury layoff to throw two touchdown passes, and Earnest Jackson and Walter Abercrombie each ran for more than 100 yards as the Steelers upset the favored Cincinnati Bengals, 30-9.

Gary Anderson kicked three field goals, and the Steelers’ defense held Cincinnati without a touchdown, although the Bengals penetrated the Pittsburgh 20-yard line six times.

Jackson, a former Pro Bowl back cut last month by the Philadelphia Eagles, finished with 132 yards, including a one-yard fourth-quarter scoring run. Abercrombie had 109 yards.

The Steelers (2-6), who lost five of their previous six home games, ended a four-game losing streak against Cincinnati. The win came a week after a 34-0 loss to New England, the Steelers’ worst Three Rivers Stadium defeat.

Cincinnati’s loss left the Bengals (5-3) tied with Cleveland for the AFC Central Division lead.

The tone of the game was set midway through the first period. With Pittsburgh leading 3-0, Bengal punter Jeff Hayes fumbled a high snap from center but recovered and raced 31 yards to a first down at the Steeler 11.

Two weeks ago, Hayes’ 61-yard touchdown run on a fake punt was the margin of difference in the Bengals’ 24-22 victory over Pittsburgh at Cincinnati.

This time, the Bengals couldn’t turn Hayes’ big play into any points when Jim Breech missed a 26-yard field goal attempt.

Malone, who completed 12 of 20 passes for 104 yards, then drove the Steelers 80 yards, throwing a 10-yard touchdown pass to running back Rich Erenberg.