Photography by Peter Diana and Matt Freed
Produced by Lizabeth Gray and Curt ChandlerPittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers uncorked two fumbles and three interceptions to turn a roller coaster game against the Bengals into a 28-20 loss yesterday, placing the defending Super Bowl champs into a two-game hole in the AFC North.

They lost the game even though Willie Parker ran for 133 yards and two touchdowns, they outgained the Bengals, and the Steelers held leads in the first, third and fourth quarters.

They also wasted a decent effort by the defense, which held Rudi Johnson to 47 yards rushing on 19 carries and forced three turnovers.

"It's frustrating because we felt we were in control of it," Steelers receiver Hines Ward said.

The two fumbles, a 15-yard celebration penalty on running backs Verron Haynes and Parker, and a 10-yard taunting penalty on safety Mike Logan especially seemed to stick in the craw of coach Bill Cowher.

"There is no reason for those things," Cowher said. "... It will not happen again."

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