Backup AJ McCarron led four scoring drives in relief of Dalton, including a 66-yard pass to A.J. Green for his first career touchdown pass, but he also threw a pair of costly interceptions that led to 14 points for Pittsburgh.
William Gay returned McCarron’s first interception 23 yards for a touchdown on the opening series of the third quarter to give the Steelers a 23-7 lead.
The loss prevented Cincinnati (10-3) from clinching the AFC North Division. Pittsburgh (8-5) trails by two games with three remaining.
Bengals tight Tyler Eifert (concussion) and safety George Iloka (groin) also left the game with injuries, while linebacker Vontaze Burfict was sent off a couple of times with a head injury but returned both times after concussion tests were negative.
Roethlisberger led the Steelers to scores on their first three possessions, including an 80-yard touchdown march that DeAngelo Williams capped with a 1-yard run.
After Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell booted field goals of 42, 47, 45 and 31 yards, Williams capitalized on McCarron’s second interception with another 1-yard touchdown to finish off the scoring for the Steelers with 3:49 remaining.
McCarron added a 5-yard touchdown pass to Rex Burkhead with 1:03 left in the game.
He finished 22 of 32 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for a passer rating of 90.6. Green caught six passes for 132 yards and the long touchdown.
Roethlisberger went 30 of 39 for 282 yards with and one interception that Bengals safety Reggie Nelson caught to raise his league-leading total to 8.5.
The extent of Dalton’s injury is unknown. He returned to the field in street clothes with a cast on his right hand. If it’s a sprain he could miss a game or two. If it’s a break, he likely would be done for the season.
The Bengals return to action next Sunday in San Francisco. They can clinch a playoff berth with a win, and they can clinch the division with a victory and a Pittsburgh loss to Denver.
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