Cincinnati Bengals rely on youth to defeat Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-10

CINCINNATI — Running back Giovani Bernard scored his first two NFL touchdowns, one of them on a short pass that he turned into a 27-yard score, and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-10, Monday night.

The second-round draft pick had a seven-yard touchdown run in the first half before turning a short pass from Andy Dalton into a third-quarter score.

First-round pick Tyler Eifert also had a big play, making a 61-yard catch that set up Bernard’s touchdown run.

The Bengals (1-1) had 407 yards against one of the NFL’s toughest defenses, holding the ball for more than 35 minutes.

Pittsburgh fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2002. The Steelers had two turnovers in scoring range and couldn’t hold the ball long enough to give their defense a breather, failing to get a first down on seven of their 12 possessions.

The Bengals put the ball in Dalton’s hands in the first half, letting him pass away while they all but abandoned the run. Dalton completed 25 of 45 passes for 280 yards. He was one attempt shy of a career high.

Ben Roethlisberger got Pittsburgh’s offense moving in spurts. He completed all five of his passes on a touchdown drive that pulled the Steelers into a 10-10 tie after two quarters, including completions of 19 and 43 yards to Emmanuel Sanders.

Shaun Suisham kicked a 44-yard field goal and the Steelers had a chance to add to the lead in the first half. But another mistake provided the game’s first turning point.

Pinned at their three-yard line after a punt, the Steelers drove into scoring position. Roethlisberger completed a 34-yard pass to tight end David Paulson, who fumbled the ball as he was tackled. Adam Jones forced the fumble and recovered it at the Cincinnati 13.