Boswell’s six field goals give Pittsburgh win

STEELERS 24, BENGALS 20

cincinnati» The Pittsburgh Steelers took control of the AFC North by doing a little bit of everything during a month-long winning streak: throwing it, running it, playing some steely defense.

Their fifth straight victory came a whole new way. Call it the kick-6.

Chris Boswell tied the club record with six field goals, and Ben Roethlisberger threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter Sunday, rallying Pittsburgh to a 24-20 victory over Cincinnati that kept the Steelers in control of the division and eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention.

“We’ve said we’ll win the game how we have to win it,” Roethlisberger said.

The Steelers (9-5) won their fourth in a row at Paul Brown Stadium, with Boswell making field goals of 45, 49, 49, 40, 49 and 30 yards. And now they would clinch the North by beating the Ravens (8-6) at Heinz Field next Sunday.

“A lot of guys are treating this like it’s the playoffs already,” linebacker Ryan Shazier said.

The Bengals (5-8-1) had some playoff flashbacks.

Last January, Cincinnati melted down in the final minute for an 18-16 loss to the Steelers in the opening round of the playoffs. Penalties on Vontaze Burfict and Adam “Pacman” Jones set up Boswell’s 35yard field goal in the closing seconds.

Burfict and Jones got personal fouls again on Sunday as the animosity carried over. Burfict tackled Roethlisberger after he got rid of the ball, and Jones was flagged for taunting.

“They let Pittsburgh do whatever they wanted to,” said a fuming Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. “They should’ve been calling stuff on them, too.”