Gutsy Win Could Have Long-Term Ramifications For Bengals

Make no mistake about, Cincinnati had no business winning this one. But it wasn't the fact that the Bengals beat the Steelers Sunday, but how they won that could have long-term effects on the team’s season. Out-muscled, out-played and out-coached for nearly three quarters, the Bengals were left for dead late in the third quarter, trailing 20-9. But much like it did last week against Chicago, Pittsburgh let Cincinnati up off the mat and the Bengals took advantage, scoring two TDs and making a huge defensive stand to win the game. It's not just the type of win that Cincy would not have pulled out last season; it's the type of win that the Bengals would not have pulled out against the Steelers ever. Pittsburgh has been called a lot of things by the pundits and the fans — bully, big brother, tormentor — and all of those things were true for three quarters. There were the Steelers holding Cincinnati to minus-10 (minus-10!) yards in the first quarter. There w...