Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has praised the efforts of rookie running back Giovani Bernard after he claimed two touchdowns during yesterday's 20-10 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bernard ran in his first touchdown from seven yards in the first quarter before catching a short pass from Dalton and running 27 yards to claim what ultimately proved to be the winning points for his side in the third quarter.

Dalton is happy with the options that Bernard gave him in offence and believes that the 21-year-old is doing exactly what is being asked of him.

"Gio's done a good job. We drafted him to be versatile, move around the backfield and make big plays. And that's exactly what we've gotten out him," Dalton told The AP.

The win was the Bengals' first of the season following their opening-day defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears.