by Bo Marchionte
Roethlisberger’s 50th game winning drive propels Steelers past Bears
Pittsburgh – Ben Roethlisberger’s 50th career game winning drive, helped propel the Steelers past Chicago 29-27.
“That’s pretty cool,” said Roethlisberger of the accomplishment. “I’ll take a win anyway we can get it. I hate the stress of a fourth-quarter comeback, but we’ll take it.”
The Steelers proved once again that their bend but don’t break mentality is going to the be the formula for being competitive this season. In the process of winning tonight the Steelers snapped a three-game losing streak to the Monsters of the Midway. It also coincides with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger first win against the Bears since his second year in the NFL, in 2005.
Early on it looked like a stress-free football game for Pittsburgh. Up 14-0 in the middle of the second quarter the Steelers seemed well on their way to a blowout victory. Chicago a team deficient of splash offensive plays, offered little hope to Bears fans, especially in the face of one of the leagues top defensive fronts.
“You got to play 60-minutes,” said Roethlisberger. “Sometimes more.”
The Bears would turn this potential blowout in a thriller under the lights at Heinz Field.
Roethlisberger and company would witness the Bears claw their way back into the game with 21 unanswered fourth quarter points. The Bears who trailed the entire game, would take the lead 27-26 with 1:46 remaining, after rookie Justin Fields would find Darnell Mooney for a 16-yard touchdown pass.
“The most important thing is you smile in the face of adversity,” said Mike Tomlin. “That’s the silver lining in tonight’s performance. We were up against it; a lot of it due to our own doing. The cool thing is we made the necessary plays.”
What appeared to be an easy win was turning out to an embarrassing loss for Pittsburgh.
“Ben (Roethlisberger) took the offense down the field, and we got the necessary field goal.”
Chris Boswell who left the previous weeks game with a concussion would kick three field goals that included the game winner.
“I doesn’t matter. A kick is a kick,” said Boswell after the game. “There was a good breeze out there in the middle of the field in your face towards the end, and that’s why Cairo (Santos) elected to go that way in the third and then with the wind at his back in the fourth. But a kick is a kick.”
Boswell would come through in the clutch.
“We’re finding ways to win the game,” said Roethlisberger. ‘Playing well enough. You know, not great. But, offensive speaking we’re just doing enough right now.”
Just enough has helped Pittsburgh climb two games above .500 and leaves them in the hunt. Pittsburgh is a work in progress offensively and these ugly wins could be the foundation of something much better down the road.
Tomlin Passes Cowher
“Just appreciative of the standards that have been set by those that have come before me,” said Tomlin regarding passing Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher for second all-time in wins (150).
Both coaches trail Chuck Noll who has 193 victories in his 23-year career with the Steelers.
Quantity not quality
Everyone knows that rookie Najee Harris has big-play potential. Those big plays were not on the table tonight against the solid Bears front. Harris was bottled up for much the evening against the Bears.
“They played good ball,” said Tomlin. (Akiem) Hicks I thought was really dominant, 96. But he’s no amateur. He’s been at it awhile. They’ve got a good front with like him and (Eddie) Goldman, guys that are run-stop capable.”
Harris would find some tough sledding after an impressive 10-yard touchdown run. Another long run of 13 would look odd in the overall picture of 22 carries for 62 yards and a dismal 2.8 yards per carry. Take away his two carries of 10 and 13 yards, Harris averaged 1.9 yards per carry for the other 20 carries. It is another sign that the offensive line is still not to par on getting the stellar rookie gaping holes to exploit.
Watt on record pace
“He’s well compensated,” said Tomlin laughing when asked how to characterize T.J. Watt’s impact. Watt has 60 career sacks, the fourth-fastest to reach in the milestone in NFL history. Only Reggie White, J.J. Watt and Derrick Thomas have done it quicker than premier sack artist. Currently, Watt has 11.5 sacks and appears very likely to challenge the Steelers all-time single season record of 16 set by James Harrison, in 2008. Last year Watt finished with 15 sacks, but played in only 15 games. With a 17-game schedule on the docket, if Watt remains healthy, he should be the new single-season leader in sacks for in Blitzburg.
Plenty of mouths to feed
Roethlisberger hit nine different players tonight for receptions. Not long ago, he was sort of forced to find Antonio Brown or catch the wrath of the disgruntled wideout now playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I thought everyone played really well,” said Roethlisberger. “And I know it can be frustrating for the receivers sometimes because the stats aren’t there for anybody. But we’re winning the game. And when you need a play, guys step up and make plays and they did that tonight.”
Dointae Johnson would lead with the team with modest five catches for 56-yards, but overall football was distributed will efficiency. Roethlisberger has not thrown an interception in the last four-games another reason for the winning streak.
Youngstown State alum makes first catch
Kevin Rader got activated against the Bears and caught his first career reception. Not the most amazing stat line, but his one catch for one yard will stay with him for a long time. Rader was an undrafted tight end out of Youngstown State, in 2018 has done a pretty remarkable job of earning his keep in the National Football League. The Penguins were a run first oriented team under Bo Pelini, but it did not hide the talent of Rader.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt