A win is a win. In the NFL, you take it however you can get it. That’s been the Pittsburgh Steelers’ mantra for years, especially post-Ben Roethlisberger when victories became harder to attain. Securing victory against the Cincinnati Bengals was critical for all kinds of reasons. To defeat an AFC North opponent, to avoid a two-game skid, to gain back the divisional cushion on the Baltimore Ravens, and keep No. 1/No. 2 playoff seeding a possibility.
But this win was different. The Steelers proved they could win in a way they haven’t since Roethlisberger hung up his cleats.