Penalties ravaged the Bengals all day. In all, they were called for 10 penalties for 109 yards. Conversely, the Steelers were called for four penalties and 29 yards.
But it was a pass interference call on Bengals safety Chris Crocker
in the second quarter that might have been the killer for Cincinnati.
With the Steelers up, 7-0, and the ball at their 35, Roethlisberger went deep down the middle to Wallace. Crocker was called for interference on the play, and the ball was placed at the Cincinnati 20.
The Steelers scored three plays later.
"We got a big pass interference penalty down the middle of the field on a ball that wasn't catchable," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis
Crocker agreed: "I touched him, but I thought it was uncatchable. But what can you do? You have to keep playing."