CINCINNATI - Carson Palmer dropped back to pass. Trying to find an open receiver, and surrounded by white, black and gold jerseys, the quarerback's throw was deflected, landing in the hands of Pittsburgh defensive end Aaron Smith. Three plays later, Willie Parker scampered 37 yards for a costly touchdown.

It was just that kind of day for the Bengals, whose failed chances gave way to the biggest missed opportunity of all - beating the Steelers, and gaining a bigger foothold in the AFC North.

But in the Steelers' 27-13 win at Paul Brown Stadium, it wasn't Pittsburgh getting key turnovers and using its running game almost flawlessly, as it was the Bengals' inability to capitalize and put points on the board early, that hurt the team the most.