CINCINNATI — Mewelde Moore got into the end zone three times. The Pittsburgh Steelers defense got to the quarterback seven times.

Perfect math against a bad team.

Moore, a backup running back who seemed headed back into his reserve role, scored a career-high three touchdowns Sunday, and the Steelers' defense took it from there in a 38-10 victory that left the Cincinnati Bengals wallowing without a win.

Thousands of Steelers fans in the crowd of 65,860 twirled yellow Terrible Towels while the Steelers (5-1) solidified their hold on first place in the AFC North at a stadium that's as comfy as it gets on the road. Pittsburgh has won its past eight games at Paul Brown Stadium, each coming in a little different way.

This one came out of nowhere.

It appeared that Moore was headed back to a supporting role when starter Willie Parker returned to practice this week, apparently healed from a strained left knee. Parker aggravated the injury during a workout, and Moore — signed as a free agent from Minnesota — got the chance to have a big moment.

He ran for 120 yards — only 18 shy of his career high — and touchdowns of 13 and 2 yards. He also caught a 2-yard touchdown pass on Pittsburgh's opening drive.

Ben Roethlisberger improved to 11-0 in his native state — he's never lost in Cleveland or Cincinnati. With his separated shoulder much better after a bye week, Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes, including a 50-yarder to Nate Washington. Backup Byron Leftwich threw a 16-yarder to Hines Ward as the Steelers pulled away with 21 points in the fourth quarter.

The Bengals fell to 0-7 for the fifth time since 1991, when Mike Brown took control of the team and the franchise fell into one of the longest stretches of futility in NFL history. Only 18 times since 1991 has a team started a season by losing its first seven games; Cincinnati accounts for five of those.

It's not likely to get much better soon. Quarterback Carson Palmer stood on the sideline in sweatpants, missing his second straight game and his third overall with an elbow injury. Backup Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for a touchdown, but was sacked seven times and fumbled once.

How bad was it? When Cedric Benson ran 4 yards for Cincinnati's initial first down of the game with 4:57 left in the first half, Bengals fans gave a standing ovation.

The Steelers wasted plenty of chances to put the Bengals away before finally doing it in the fourth quarter. Roethlisberger's 50-yard touchdown pass to Washington started the final surge. He finished 17-for-28 for 216 yards without an interception.