CINCINNATI, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdown passes Sunday as Pittsburgh beat the Bengals, 31-17, in an AFC wild-card game at Cincinnati.
Roethlisberger was 14-for-19 for 208 yards; Cedrick Wilson had three receptions for 104 yards and a score; Jerome Bettis ran for 52 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries; and Willie Parker added 38 yards rushing on 16 attempts and caught three balls for 41 yards for the Steelers, who scored the game's final 24 points to overcome an early 10-point deficit.
The Bengals lost starting quarterback Carson Palmer to torn ligaments in his left knee.
Back-up quarterback Jon Kitna went 24-for-40 for 197 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Rudi Johnson had 56 rushing yards and a score on 13 carries and T.J. Houshmandzadeh had 25 yards and a touchdown on four catches.
Cincinnati closed its season with three straight losses.
