Riding the A.J. Green-like play of wide receiver Brandon LaFell, a revived offensive line, and rookie wide receiver Alex Erickson’s 72-yard kick return, the Bengals bolted to a 20-9 half-time lead over the Steelers Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.
A typical AFC North slugfest was personified by a massive collision between Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict and right guard David DeCastro midway through the second quarter that sent Burfict to the locker room for the rest of the half with a concussion exam and DeCastro off the field for a play.