Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card after win vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Defensive Line: The front three had some success and got some heat on Andy Dalton. They also were very good against the run as they held the Bengals to a mere 57 yards rushing on 22 carries (2.6 ypc). Nose tackle Al Woods had a batted pass and a third-down goal-line stop. DE Ziggy Hood got the only sack in the first half and recovered a fumble that led to a field goal. Overall it was a pretty dominating night from the likes of Woods, Hood and Cam Heyward. Grade: A

Dec 15, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver

(18) runs with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety

(left) and cornerback

(24) attempt to tackle during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers: I thought the linebackers were solid. Although they had no sacks, they seemed to get pressure consistently on Dalton. Vince Williams I thought was particularly solid, registering six tackles (all solo) and made a big play in stopping BenJarvus Green-Ellis on a third-and-1 play that led to the muffed punt. Lawrence Timmons and Jason Worilds also played pretty well and while Jarvis Jones only had one tackle, he did bat down a two-point conversion attempt that could have made it a one-possession game in the fourth quarter. Grade: B-

Secondary: A lot of the Bengals production came late with the game pretty much already decided. For a team that likes to make big plays in the passing game, the Bengals’ longest pass play on the night was for only 19 yards. Troy Polamalu forced a fumble and looked active all night and the likes of Ike Taylor, Cortez Allen and Will Allen all did some good things that helped the Steelers win. Grade: B

Special Teams: The Steelers finally made big plays in the special teams game instead of giving them up. Brown’s 67-yard punt return for touchdown gave the Steelers all the breathing room they needed early on and they added a gift touchdown on a muffed punt as well. Shaun Suisham was solid as usual, but the kickoff coverage team was not so good as they allowed returns of 52 and 36 yards that set up the first two Bengals touchdowns. Grade: A-

Coaching: The offense scored 27 or more points for the fourth time in seven games and the defense didn’t allow a play longer than 19 yards all night. That’s the formula for winning, so give Mike Tomlin, Todd Haley and Dick LeBeau some credit. You just have to wonder where all this was the first half of the season. Grade: A