PITTSBURGH - Carson Palmer is more familiar with Troy Polamalu than any other defensive back in football. The two went head-to-head during Southern California's practices for three seasons and also shared a house.

So imagine the Cincinnati quarterback's frustration when Polamalu's 26-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter sealed the Pittsburgh Steelers' 28-17 victory over the Bengals Sunday.

Just when Palmer needs supporters the most, even his best friends are picking on him.

"He's taught me a lot of what I know about offenses, a lot about what the quarterback is thinking," Polamalu said.

Palmer probably wishes now he hadn't so freely dispensed that knowledge. Palmer threw two more interceptions, giving him seven in four games - three of them losses. In a season of relatively high expectations for the Bengals, Palmer is not beginning to meet them.

No wonder he is certain to hear the name Jon Kitna as some fans begin clamoring for the return of the quarterback who rallied Cincinnati from a 1-4 start last season by winning seven of nine games.

"I'm not concerned with what people say," Palmer said. "I'm only worried about what the coaches and players think. I'm going about my business, trying to get better from week to week."

If the NFL's No. 1 draft pick in 2003 is looking for someone in a similar role who is doing exactly that, Ben Roethlisberger is the guy.

The Steelers' plan was to sit their first-round draft pick all season, just as the Bengals did with Palmer last year. But when Tommy Maddox went down for at least six weeks with an injured elbow Sept. 19, Roethlisberger suddenly found himself starting.

From what he's shown in two starts - and two victories - Roethlisberger intends to make it very difficult for Maddox to get his job back.

Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers (3-1) from deficits of 7-0 in the first quarter and 17-14 in the fourth, throwing an 11-yard scoring pass to Verron Haynes and leading a decisive 89-yard drive finished off by Jerome Bettis' second short touchdown run.

Roethlisberger's numbers (17-of-25, 174 yards, no interceptions) were better than Palmer's (20-of-37, 164 yards), and so was his ability to dodge mistakes. The Bengals not only failed to score after twice advancing into Steelers' territory with the lead in the second half, Palmer ended two late possessions by throwing interceptions.

"I hate to have to repeat myself, but it was a disappointing loss," coach Marvin Lewis. "We had some opportunities to make plays and win the game but we didn't string enough of them together. ... The quarterback shoulders a lot of it all the time, and we're going to have to clean up and get better."

With the Browns coming to Pittsburgh next Sunday, the Steelers are in position to be 4-1 for only the third time in 22 seasons. They've done it by getting back to their decades-old philosophy of running the ball to set up the pass and by forcing turnovers.

Duce Stanley ran for 123 yards despite two fumbles, giving him consecutive 100-yard games. A year ago, the Steelers had only two 100-yard games from their running backs all season.

"This is a big step in us creating an identity for the rest of the year," center Jeff Hartings said.