Steeler running back Le'Veon Bell stiff arms his way for extra yardage in a recent game. Bell has blossomed into one of the most versatile and productive running backs in the NFL.

PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger waited for the call in his helmet, but the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line already knew what was coming. Then again, they should. They did request it after all.

Le’Veon Bell to the left. Heath Miller, David DeCastro and Will Johnson leading the way. Again. And again. And again. At least, until the Cincinnati Bengals found out a way to stop the blossoming second-year running back.

“The offensive line was like, `Man, we feel good about it,”’ Bell said. “As a runner, I’m running whatever the offensive linemen want to run.”

It showed. Time and again Bell dashed and darted through increasingly large holes late in Sunday’s 42-21 victory over the tired, lethargic Bengals. When he was done, 26 carries, 185 yards and two touchdowns later, so was Cincinnati.

“We ran the same play two, three, four times in a row, consecutively,” Bell said. “Those guys just couldn’t stop it. So we continued to run with it.”

Funny how often Pittsburgh victories follow suit. The Steelers (8-5) are 5-1 when the NFL’s second leading rusher runs the ball at least 20 times a game. Considering his production spike in recent weeks, due in large part to the cohesive play in front of him, don’t expect Bell’s workload to lessen anytime soon.

Pressed on if he ever saw Bell winded on a day he had 32 touches in all — including six receptions for 50 yards and a score — and left tackle Kelvin Beachum just smiled.

“Not at all, not at all, not at all,” Beachum said.

Consider it a testament to Bell’s growing reputation as one of the league’s most durable backs and the fact he’s not taking a lot of abuse. It helps that he’s often past the really big guys on the defensive line before getting hit.

“The offensive line has done a great job of opening holes for me,” Bell said. “On check downs, Ben (Roethlisberger) is doing a good job of getting me the ball and allowing me to run with some space.”

One that is committing to the run even with Roethlisberger in the midst of the best season of his career, even with no tested depth behind Bell after the team cut LeGarrette Blount last month. Needing a victory against the Bengals to have any chance of tracking them down in the AFC North, offensive coordinator Todd Haley put the bulk of the load on Bell’s increasingly broad shoulders.