PITTSBURGH -- If you had Ben Roethlisberger throwing back-to-back fourth-quarter interceptions in your Bengals-Steelers script, your free T-shirt is on its way.
Roethlisberger looked like a guy who just missed a month of football in a 16-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but his physical play wasn't the problem. He didn't look hobbled coming off that sprained MCL and bone bruise. He just seemed completely out of rhythm during parts of the game and tried to force plays unnecessarily as a result.
"I let this team down and I let the fans down," Roethlisberger said. "This one is on me and I'm taking the blame and letting everyone know I have to play better."
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense got comfortable in the final drive, pushing into red zone territory with four seconds left. But it wasn't enough. A well-contested attempt to Antonio Brown sailed out of the end zone.
This kind of performance is rare for Roethlisberger, who's usually poised. The Bengals took away the outside, which resulted in a big day for tight end Heath Miller, but the passing game was stagnant otherwise.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger held on to the ball for several seconds before attempting a sideline throw that backup corner Shawn Williams picked off.
That the Steelers' defense got two interceptions and blocked a field goal attempt and still lost is a bit jarring, considering the team's potential on offense.
What it means: The Steelers are still poised for a big second half if everything comes into place. The defense doesn't show up like this every week, but when it gets hot, defenders fly around the field and force offenses into bad decisions. The offense hasn't been healthy all year. If that changes, watch out.
"We're a .500 team right now," Roethlisberger said. "We're an average team. We've got next week to make it above average."
What were they thinking?: The Steelers committed two silly penalties, Mike Mitchell's 15-yard taunting call and James Harrison's unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taking his helmet off and arguing with a Bengals player. The Steelers were playing well enough. They didn't need the extra chatter.
One reason to get excited: The defense responded to an ugly performance vs. Kansas City in a big way. The Bengals went 1-of-9 on third downs through the first three quarters. Pittsburgh sacked Andy Dalton three times and got into the backfield at least three more. Dalton was pressured all day.
One reason for concern: The wide receivers couldn't get rolling. Martavis Bryant was nonexistent for much of the game. Brown and Markus Wheaton each dropped a pass. The Steelers were at the Bengals' 26-yard line early in the fourth and missed on a deep shot to Bryant. They got no points out of that trip.
Fantasy watch: Miller is back to recording 80-plus-yard games again. It was a matter of time. Roethlisberger loves throwing to him. He's not guaranteed for big production every week, but when defenses take away the outside, Roethlisberger has no problems dumping to Miller over the middle.
Ouch: Le'Veon Bell left the stadium for further evaluation shortly after suffering a knee injury. Safety Mike Mitchell went down in the final minutes of the fourth quarter and underwent the NFL concussion protocol.