National Football League

Graham, Bengals top Steelers for division lead

Published Nov. 15, 2009 11:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

Maybe it wasn't a concession speech, even if it sounded like one. The Bengals spent most of the last 20 seasons chasing Pittsburgh, and now it's the other way around, and the Steelers realize it's a decidedly uphill climb.

"They're clearly the best team in the division," safety Ryan Clark said after the Bengals beat the Steelers 18-12 on Sunday to take control of the AFC North. "I'd give my left arm to play them again."

Who could have possibly envisioned the Super Bowl champions saying that about a rival they've largely dominated and, at times, intimidated since the 1980s, especially with seven games left in the season?