I think it comes down to this.
The Bengals probably hear forever how they haven;t won a playoff game sine what, 1991? That has to weigh on them.
They peaked emotionally after Burfict intercepted that ball. The game was over at that point. Think of the emotions in that fourth quarter. The come back... the great AJ touchdown with like a minute 30 left. The incredibly athletic int by Burfict. Him and others running completely off the field and into the tunnel. Etc. They peaked. They thought the game was over and nothing could be done.
Then that idiot fumbles and you have a find a way to regroup and head back onto the field. I just think that after that emotional surge, they were emotionally drained, and likely physically drained. And physical weakness leads to mental errors.
The whole turn of events was led to two emotionally retarded individuals - Burfict and Pacman - making unexcuseable decisions.
As such, they lost.
Read my recent history - they were one of the teams (along with AZ) I was rooting for to win it all this year. But fuck em. They deserved to lose this game. It was almost Garrett-led Cowboys bad how they managed to lose.
The Steelers aint shit. Roethlisberger and Brown are both dinged. No way they get past Denver next week.