Don't look now, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are
once again "relevant" in the 2013-14 NFL season after a thrilling 37-27
upset victory at home over the Detroit Lions.
Trailing 23-27, Big Ben led another memorable
fourth quarter comeback by driving the Steelers 97 yards on 16 plays over 8
minutes, capped-off by a 1-yard TD pass with 4:46 remaining for a 30-27
lead. Roethlisberger was magnificent on
the day (while operating the ‘no huddle’ offense—ahem, critics), completing 29 of 45 passes for 367 yards, 4 touchdowns
and zero interceptions. More amazing
than that – Roethlisberger was only sacked once
on the day (getting something most QBs know as “pass protection”).
The win was Pittsburgh's fourth in the last six
weeks and improved their record to 4-6, which put them in a three-way tie with
the Baltimore Haters and Cleveland Brownie Elves for second place in the four-team
AFC North behind the Cincinnati Bungles (7-4).
Seriously – the Steelers are involved in the playoff picture (albeit a
murky one). While either the Kansas City
Chefs (9-1) or Denver Mannings (9-1) will claim the first Wild Card – eight
others are in a log jam for the second spot, as the Jets and Dolphins are 5-5;
followed by Steelers, Browns, Ravens, Chargers and Raiders, who are 4-6; and the
Bills (4-7).
Whether or not the Steelers remain relevant will
depend on what happens in their next two games, which are both on the road. On
Sunday, Pittsburgh goes to Cleveland and just four days later, they travel to
Baltimore for a contest on Thanksgiving night (thank you NFL scheduling--not).
The Steelers will likely need to win both of these contests to stay in
the playoff picture.
That said, Steeler Nation shouldn’t get too far
ahead of itself—and just savor the flavor of this week’s win.
The game was full of twists and turns, as Pittsburgh
jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a pair of TD passes from Big
Ben to Antonio Brown for 34 and 47 yards respectively, and then quickly
squandered it. Brown finished the game
with 7 catches for 147 yards and 2 TDs.
The
second f@cking quarter!
After Big Ben staked Pittsburgh to a 14-0 advantage,
the Steeler secondary developed an acute case of the “f@ck-its” and quit playing
defense for the entire second quarter. Detroit
outscored the Steelers 27-6 in the frame to claim a 27-20 lead at
halftime. Lions QB Matt Stafford racked
up 267 yards in the second quarter and 327 by halftime. Detroit’s Calvin Johnson had 179 yards and 2
TDs, the f-bombs were falling faster than the raindrops, and Steeler Nation was
emptying bottles of Iron City faster than fans were heading for shelter at
Heinz Field from the rain (and f-bombs).
Third
quarter frustration . . .
The Steelers made something called an “adjustment” on
defense at halftime and shut Detroit out during the second half. However, Steeler Nation was getting the sense
that it would be for not if the offense couldn’t score a touchdown after
settling for field goals on three consecutive scoring drives. In the third quarter, Pittsburgh had the
ball--1st and goal at the half-yard line—and couldn’t find the end
zone, and trailed Detroit 23-27 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth
quarter comeback
The Lions' fatal mistake was a failed fake 27-yard field
goal that was stopped near the goal line in the fourth quarter. Rather, than extending their lead to 7
points, Detroit gave Pittsburgh new life.
The Steelers took possession backed up on their 3-yard line, but Big Ben
led the Steelers on a 97 yard march that took over 8 minutes to claim a 30-27
lead with 4:46 remaining in the game.
RENEGADE!
Then, something totally amazing happened--Pittsburgh’s secondary did something that
wasn’t painful to watch! Will Allen
intercepted a Matt Stafford pass on the Lions next possession just after Heinz
Field fired the crowd up with a blaring rendition of “Renegade” (sorry Pat
Johnston). Five plays later Big Ben
connected with Jericho Cotchery for a game clinching 20-yard TD pass and a 37-27
lead.
Although, Pat Johnston of the Michigan Bureau of
Steeler Nation was hoping to retire “Renegade” on the basis of its recent lack
of effectiveness – its back now! On the
upside, the Steeler Face, will set aside his penchant for an AC/DC game
soundtrack—as this one was underscored by “Shoot to Thrill,” “Hell’s Bells,”
“Dirty Deeds” and “Thunderstruck.”
The Steeler defense recorded 2 sacks and 2 fumble
recoveries. Stafford only completed 3 of
16 pass attempts for 25 yards in second half.
Renegade is here to stay!
Postcards
from Pittsburgh:
The loss was the Lions' 9th straight in Pittsburgh,
with their last win in the Steel City coming in 1955 as Marty McFly drove his
DeLorean time machine "back to the future."
What a win! And
yes, the Steelers did it while wearing those ridiculous uniforms.
The Big
Ben Profile:
Ben Roethlisberger completed 29 of 45 passes for 364
yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
Moreover, he was sacked only once—yes that is correct (not a typo)--only
1 sack! Thank you . . . (gulp) . . .
offensive line?!
Ben now has 17 touchdowns against 10 interceptions
this year, and over 2,900 yards passing.
Jericho Cotchery is slowly emerging has Ben’s second favorite target
with over 500 yards receiving and 7 TDs.
Hopefully, this win over the Lions will put to rest
the ridiculous “Ben and the Steelers are parting ways” B.S. talk. Tweak this:
2004-present (10 seasons)
91-45 regular season record as a starter
10-4 playoff record as a starter
101-49 total record as a starter
3 AFC championships in 4 appearances
2 Super Bowl championships in 3 appearances
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