NFL: Pittsburgh 27, Cincinnati 10

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Ben Roethlisberger directed two third-period scoring drives in the snow Thursday to break open a close game and bring Pittsburgh a 27-10 win over Cincinnati.

The Steelers advanced to 8-3 and moved 1 ½ games in front of Baltimore in the battle for the AFC North title. Going into the action Sunday, Pittsburgh has the second-best record in the AFC behind unbeaten Tennessee.

Pittsburgh had only a 10-7 halftime lead, but Roethlisberger marched the Steelers 57 yards in 12 plays to a 38-yard field goal by Jeff Reed.

The Pittsburgh quarterback then led his team 64 yards in seven plays to a backbreaking 2-yard touchdown run by Gary Russell in the final minute of the third period.

Roethlisberger completed 17-of-30 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown in a game played in sub-freezing temperatures and with wind-blown snow sweeping across the field.

His 3-yard scoring throw to Heath Miller in the second period overcame a 7-0 deficit.

Cincinnati, coming off the NFL's first tie game in six seasons, fell to 1-9-1.