The Steelers did more than lose Sunday night in Denver. They might have shown future opponents the way.

Their efficient offense and stifling defense was nowhere to be found as the Broncos ran out to a 28-14 lead on the way to a 31-28 victory.

"Teams are going to look at this," defensive end Brett Keisel said. "I'm sure we'll see what they did again -- quick passes, let receivers make a guy miss."

Opponents, starting with the Cincinnati Bengals, will peruse the video tape of the game on offense and defense. The Steelers travel Sunday to Cincinnati, beginning a three-game stretch against their AFC North Division opponents.

They might have used the next three weeks to run away with the division had they won in Denver. Instead, even though Baltimore lost Sunday, the Steelers (4-2) hold just a half-game lead over the Ravens (4-3) and a one-game lead over the surprising Cleveland Browns (3-3).

Cincinnati's comeback victory against the New York Jets means the Bengals (2-4) can climb right back into the race with a victory against the Steelers.

"We have to learn from this game but we have to put it behind us and come back ready to rock and roll against a divisional rival," Keisel said. "We'll see what type of team we have."

The Steelers had -- through five games -- what appeared to be typical of their successful teams from the past. They controlled the ball on offense, running more than 55 percent of the time, and they dominated on defense with the NFL's No. 1 ranking in yards and in points allowed per game.

Denver laid waste to much of that.

The Steelers had the No. 2 rushing offense entering the game against the worst rush defense in the league. Their coaches decided the Broncos would load up to stop the run, so they had Ben Roethlisberger come out throwing -- 10 of the first 13 plays were passes and they tried to pass 24 times in the first half (including three sacks) vs. just 12 runs. Two of the passes were intercepted, setting up one Denver touchdown, and another attempt ended with the Broncos in front, 21-7, as Roethlisberger fumbled as he was sacked, and rookie end Tim Crowder picked it up and rambled 50 yards for a touchdown.

"We knew they would come out in preparation to stop the run and they were," coach Mike Tomlin said. "It's the same cat-and-mouse chess game. That's just football."

The Bengals will look closely at what the Broncos were able to do on offense. Again, the run defense held firm. Travis Henry managed 51 yards on 17 carries, and the Broncos ran 24 times for only 90 yards, extending the Steelers' streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher to 31 games.

But that was second-year pro Jay Cutler, in his first full season as a starter, who looked like John Elway at Mile High. Cutler completed 22 of 29 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns. He had only four scoring passes through his first five games.

Cutler and the Broncos converted 7 of 10 third-down chances that included one touchdown pass of 15 yards on third-and-9 for their first score. Other third-down conversions came when they needed 12 yards (a 16-yard pass), 14 (a 16-yard pass) and 14 (a 17-yard pass). Two of Cutler's three touchdown passes came on third downs.

"We showed some signs of a good defense but other times on third downs ... you can't win in this league if you keep giving them more possessions," linebacker Larry Foote said.

"We're a good defense and we didn't display it. For what reason, we don't know why. We'll watch film and get it corrected."

The Bengals will be watching those same films to see if they can exploit it some more. If Jay Cutler can do that without Javon Walker, what might Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh do in Cincinnati?

"Cincinnati's going to watch this game and try to do some similar things," Foote said. "But we're going to get it corrected and be ready for it."

NOTES -- Preliminary reports are that defensive end Aaron Smith, who left the game with a sprained MCL in his knee, is unlikely to play against Cincinnati. ... Roethlisberger tied a career high with his four touchdown passes, giving him 13 after six games this season. In his first three NFL seasons, he finished with 17, 17 and 18 touchdown passes.