A mostly unrecognizable collection of Pittsburgh Steelers was unable to light up the scoreboard Thursday night at Heinz Field as the Steelers (1-3) fell 10-0 to the visiting Carolina Panthers (2-2).
With key starters including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Heath Miller on the sidelines throughout, and running backs Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount playing minimally, Pittsburgh’s reserves generated no scoring drives, avoiding turnovers but punting nine times. With just 11 first downs, 185 total yards and 3.4 yards per play, it was an uninspiring effort as many reserves played for roster spots and the opportunity to make an impact in the regular season.
Third-string QB Landry Jones was a solid 14-18, but threw for just 97 yards. Brendon Kay, likely to wind up on the practice squad, was 5-10 for 32 yards. The Steelers running game was also largely unsuccessful, led by Josh Harris’ 41 yards on six carries. Blount had three rushes for seven yards and Bell and rookie Dri Archer each ran twice for eight yards. Darrius Heyward-Bey was the only Steelers to catch more than two passes, hauling in six for 44 yards.
Mike Tomlin had announced some of the key benching decisions ahead of the game, and he also indicated this week that the offense would be “vanilla” because the team faces the Panthers in Week 3 in Charlotte, in a game that actually counts. While little of tonight’s performance really helped any offensive players stand out, the defense was better than it had been last week at Philadelphia. Though they did not have to face Cam Newton and some other Panthers starters, the Steelers defense played well throughout, highlighted by a few impact plays from second-year linebacker Jarvis Jones.
Jones had three tackles, including one for a loss, and was often disruptive in the pass rush and pass defense. He recovered a fumble after a bad snap sailed past Panthers QB Derek Anderson. Rookie first-round pick Ryan Shazier had five tackles, Wesley Johnson and Shamarko Thomas added six each and Antwon Blake led all defenders with eight, seven of which were solo.
Anderson was 8-14 for 98 yards and led a scoring drive in the first quarter that resulted in a Graham Gano field goal and a 3-0 Panthers lead. In the third quarter, third-string QB Joe Webb led a six-play, 90-yard touchdown drive to increase the lead to ten points. Fozzy Whittaker scored from two yards out, capping a 91-yard effort.
There were no significant injuries sustained or announced during the game, though rookie receiver Martavis Bryant did leave the game early with a shoulder sprain. He did not return.
Pittsburgh now has ten days off ahead of the season opener, Sunday, Sept. 7 back at Heinz Field when the Cleveland Browns come to town. The Week One showdown will also serve as the AFC North opener, while the Bengals and Ravens square off that day as well.
