by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – Teddy Bridgewater was one yard away from his sixth fourth comeback of his career. An 11 play 72-yard drive took the Broncos offense down to Pittsburgh’s one-yard line before Cam Sutton intercepted Bridgewater to secure the Steelers second win of the season.

“Tough one man,” said Teddy Bridgewater after the loss. “Hate to end it like that, especially as a quarterback, but as a team also.”

It took five weeks of NFL action, but Pittsburgh finally found an offense, in their 27-19 win over the Broncos. The Steelers scored on their opening drive and stayed in control with an efficient and balanced offense.

 

 

“The offense got started fast and we needed that,” said Mike Tomlin after the win. The victory halted a three-game slide that took Pittsburgh to the depths of the AFC North standings. Currently, 2-3 overall, Pittsburgh put together their best offensive performance of the season.

“I thought we played better,” said Tomlin. “We played more efficiently like we’ve been talking about. If you can pinpoint one thing, we would have solved this problem weeks ago.”

The Broncos were allowing the second fewest points per game (12.3) and found themselves looking up at 27 points on the scoreboard when walking exiting Heinz Field towards the player tunnels. Pittsburgh was able to capitalize with a balanced attack that finally saw rookie Najee Harris have his coming out party.

“If I just keep doing my job,” said Harris on getting into the flow of the game.

Harris would reach the century mark for the first time in his career with 23 carries for 122 yards rushing and one touchdown. It marked back-to-back weeks he has found the end zone. The milestone afternoon made Harris all smiles during the postgame press conference.

“You could see his smile is a little bit bigger and a little bit brighter,” said Trai Turner regarding the boost it gave Harris to have that result after some tough sledding early in the season.

 

 

This is what Pittsburgh envisioned when they selected Harris in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. They came into the game with the leagues worst rushing attack but head into Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks with a much more optimistic approach towards having success in their run game.

The Broncos were averaging 2.8 sacks per game, but only took Roethlisberger down once on a day were everything seemed to click perfectly offensive for Pittsburgh.

 

“It’s all about watching and seeing everyone prosper,” said Trai Turner. “We know it’s just one game and we got plenty more out there to go get but its about being 1-0. We’re 1-0 and we are going to enjoy this tonight and get back to the drawing board tomorrow.”

Turner and Tomlin both commented on the exceptional play of Chukwuma Okorafor and his ability to slowdown one of the games best pass rushers.

“More than anything, you’re not going to eliminate this guy,” said Tomlin.

But you minimize his impact on the game by staying out of negative circumstance. Largely we were able to do that because we were running the ball. At times we got a negative circumstance because of penalties, penalty here, false start, holding, things of that nature. That’s when we were really in danger to be honest you, when we were behind chains. We work really hard to just stay out of them circumstances first and foremost.”

Pittsburgh rebounded at the right time with Seattle headed to Heinz Field next Sunday night. The Seahawks are allowing the most yards in the NFL and are without their Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson.

The bounty of offensive success also shined on veteran Ben Roethlisberger. He has his best game of the season and that coincided with the superb play of the guys up front protecting him. The last time his passer rating peaked over 120 was Week 4 of last season in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Reaching 120.9 against Denver, showed he can be efficient when given protection and a sound running game.

“A very high percentage of those runs today from shotgun especially,” said Roethlisberger. “Were RPOs. We probably had some of throws, but why take it out of his hand (Harris) when you’re grinding it and you’re getting it?”

Like Turner said it is only one game but one game in the right direction after three weeks is some dismal looking performances.

“Just to get a win,” said Roethlisberger. “That’s all that matters. It’s just that’s all that matters winning the football game.”

Winning pretty or ugly it is about the win.

Fortunately for Pittsburgh is was one of the prettiest wins since their 11-0 winning streak, in 2020.

GAME NOTES

4-4

Ben Roethlisberger won back-to-back games for the first time in his career against the Broncos and pulled even when facing Denver with a 4-4 record.

0

Interceptions thrown by Roethlisberger marks a first against the Broncos during the regular season. In eight games against Denver, he has thrown 12 interceptions and in the win this afternoon he avoided the miscue, but the Broncos did drop a staggering number of passes that could have made the record continue.

Two 100’s

James Conner (111) and Antonio Brown (105) were the last running back and receiver combo to reach the century mark prior to today. Najee Harris (122) and Chase Claypool (130) helped Pittsburgh to victory with big games that highlight the box score. It marked Harris first time eclipsing the plateau and the third time for Claypool since entering the league as a rookie last season.

50

Diontae Johnson recorded his longest reception of his career which coincides with being a touchdown. Johnson leads the team in receptions (25) and touchdown catches (3), despite missing one game due to injury. His role continues to grow as Roethlisberger’s No. 1 go to guy in the passing game.

 

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt