By Reid Forgrave
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Sunday's game

DOWNTOWN - You couldn't tell which odor was stronger Sunday afternoon - the annual Oktoberfest scent of onions, kielbasa and beer, or the equally familiar smell of defeat.

Disappointed Bengals fans - and happy Pittsburgh backers - poured into a downtown transformed into a mini-Munich, complete with oom-pahs, brats, metts, chicken dancers and, of course, plenty of beer.

"You get used to it, and there's really no sorrows you need to drown anymore," said Lou Haynes of Milford, of the Bengals' 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Grumbling about the Bengals' 0-3 start could be heard among the sea of football jerseys, chicken hats and lederhosen that filled the streets of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.

As Bengals fans complained or stayed quiet, Steelers fans gloated a bit. "Here we go, Steelers!" could be heard in between "Edelweiss" and Eddie Money's leading of the World's Largest Chicken Dance.

Every year, the rivalry brings busloads of black and gold into Cincinnati. Pittsburgh fans reveled in one of Cincinnati's most happening weekends.

"This game is packed every year with this rivalry," said Steelers fan Steve Lienberger of Fairfield. "And with Oktoberfest going on this year was just perfect."

Pittsburgh resident Terry Ridell, who drove into town for the weekend, had a message for Greater Cincinnati. "I want your city to know: I thought your city was awesome."

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E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com

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