RUSH OFFENSE
The Good: Jeremy Hill's 38-yard run on his second attempt of the second half.
The Bad: Pretty much every other carry of the night for Hill, of which there were 11 for 12 yards.
Key Play: Hill's fumble, which was the fourth one he lost this season, when the game was all but locked up.
Grade: F
PASS OFFENSE
The Good: AJ McCarron's performance in the fourth quarter, capped by his 25-yard strike to A.J. Green for the go-ahead – and what should have been the game-winning – touchdown with 1:50 to go.
The Bad: The Steelers sacked McCarron three times and brought blitzers who went unblocked several times.
Key Play: Jarvis Jones' second quarter sack of McCarron resulted in a fumble that the Steelers cashed in for three points and a 6-0 lead.
Grade: C+
RUSH DEFENSE
The Good: The Bengals had five tackles for loss.
The Bad: The Steelers still had 167 yards on the ground despite being down to third- and fourth-string running backs Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman.
Key Play: Martavis Bryant's 44-yard reverse one play after the Steelers had an apparent touchdown overturned while a celebration penalty stood, forcing them to start way back at their own 36.
Grade: D-
PASS DEFENSE
The Good: Burfict's diving interception of Landry Jones with 1:36 to go should have been a drought-ending highlight that Bengals fans watch on loop for months to come.
The Bad: The 60-yard pass from Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown was the longest postseason play the Bengals have ever allowed under Marvin Lewis.
Key Play: Burfict's sack of Ben Roethlisberger left the Pittsburgh quarterback with an injured shoulder and completely changed the game.
Grade: C
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Good: For the third time this season the Bengals did a great job against their punt-returner nemesis, holding Antonio Brown to 8 yards on two attempts, while Adam Jones averaged 24 yards on his only punt return and 25 yards on two kick returns.
The Bad: Other than a holding call against P.J. Dawson on a fair catch by Brandon Tate, there wasn't much to complain about.
Key Play: Chris Boswell's 35-yard game-winning with 14 seconds to go.
Grade: A-
COACHING
The Good: Marvin Lewis' challenge that overturned what the officials called a backward pass for a 7-yard loss.
The Bad: The Bengals were an undisciplined mess, and discipline starts at the top.
Key Play: There were two, really. Lewis' decision to kick the field goal on fourth and 3 at the 17 with 5:17 remaining to get the Bengals within 15-10, then his decision to go for it on fourth and 2 at the 37, leading to the go-ahead touchdown to Green three plays later.
Grade: D+
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