By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

PITTSBURGH - The Bengals' run game had its most productive game this season Sunday at Pittsburgh.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos from Sunday's game

But toward the end of the afternoon, their 137 rushing yards weren't enough to take the pressure off quarterback Carson Palmer and the passing game.

The 137 yards were the team's most on the ground since Week 14 of 2003 when it had 225 against San Francisco.

Rudi Johnson ran for 123 on 24 carries, also his best game since he went for 174 against the 49ers.

"It's a tribute to everyone," said Johnson, whose 355 yards through four games have him on pace for 1,420.

Johnson ran for 98 yards in Week 3 against Baltimore.

Said coach Marvin Lewis, "Rudi continues to play like we expect Rudi to play. We just have to have everyone play at that same level."

The Bengals also committed a critical mistake in the run game when Kenny Watson lost a fumble at the Steelers' 32 in the third quarter. The turnover came on a third-and-3 play.

"It's my job to take care of the football," Watson said. "I got a little careless, and it cost us."

Watson is the team's third-down back. He is a good receiver and outstanding blocker.

Why wasn't Johnson in the game?

"It was a third down, so that's just the way the formation was called," Johnson said. "It's not my call anyway."

The Bengals wanted to run against the Steelers.

"We did what we said we were going to do," right tackle Willie Anderson said.

"That's run the football, control the clock, set the tempo. ... Just didn't make the plays down the stretch."

First-round draft pick Chris Perry, seeing his first NFL action, had two receptions for 24 yards but did not run the ball from scrimmage.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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