Consider for a moment everything that you thought you knew about the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) and the Carolina Panthers (2-1) prior to Sunday night’s game in Charlotte and promptly throw it all out the window. In a 37-19 victory for the visiting Steelers, very little went as many expected, which is quite alright for the fans of the black and gold.
Pittsburgh dominated in nearly all facets, taking advantage of a weakened Panthers offense, rare turnovers and miscues, and a powerful rushing attack. Coming off a disappointing 20-point loss at Baltimore ten days ago, the Steelers bounced back emphatically in the primetime victory.
Shaun Suisham was the early star, kicking three field goals and accounting for all nine points in the first half, as the Steelers led 9-3 at the intermission. Having been outscored 50-9 in the previous six quarters, the offense led by Ben Roethlisberger was moving the football capably but remained unable to break into the end zone for a touchdown. After halftime though, the eight quarter drought was extinguished as Pittsburgh exploded for four second half touchdowns, busting the game wide open thanks to a devastating ground tandem of Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount, a punishing defense and opportunistic special teams play.
Panthers QB Cam Newton fumbled on his team’s opening drive early in the third quarter, giving Pittsburgh possession at the 17-yard line. Roethlisberger finally found Antonio Brown from seven yards deep, escaping as he often does from pressure to drop the pass into the back corner of the end zone for a 16-3 lead. The touchdown came after it appeared the Steelers had been held to yet another field goal attempt, but a costly encroachment penalty during the field goal attempt gave the offense a second chance to punch one in to the end zone.
Carolina answered with a field goal drive as Graham Gano made it 16-6, but Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense really began to click as he orchestrated a six-play, 80 yard drive to create a three-possession, 23-6 advantage late in the third quarter. The drive was highlighted by an 81-yard scamper by Bell, the longest running play by a Steelers player since Frenchy Fuqua in 1970.
Newton managed to get his team into the end zone on the ensuing drive, connecting with tight end Greg Olsen for a 37 yard catch-and-run. Down just ten at that point, the Panthers defense forced a quick three-and-out and it appeared Carolina had some momentum with plenty of time remaining. A long 59-yard Brad Wing punt, however, was muffed by returner Philly Brown. It bounced around and finally ended up in the end zone in the possession of Pittsburgh’s Robert Golden for a wild and unlikely special teams score.
On Pittsburgh’s next drive, the lead grew to 37-13 when Blount scored to cap off an eight-play, 98 yard drive. Carolina would add a late touchdown when reserve QB Derek Anderson throw to Kelvin Benjamin, who made an acrobatic catch to close out the scoring for the evening. Anderson was 5-6 for 80 yards and the touchdown, while the starter Newton finished 24-35 for 250 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions and the early fumble.
Roethlisberger was outstanding, completing 22 of 30 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Neither he or any Steeler committed a turnover after entering the game with a -4 margin in that category through the first two weeks. Carolina led the NFL with a +6 margin before this game, but was -2 vs. Pittsburgh, leading to 14 points for the Steelers.
Bell had 21 carries for 147 yards and Blount averaged 11.8 per carry, totaling 118 yards on ten tries. Pittsburgh ran for 264 yards as a team against one of the league’s top-ranked defenses. Antonio Brown caught ten passes for 90 yards and his two touchdowns. Carolina had allowed just 21 points before serving up 37 on Sunday evening.
Carolina was completely unable to get a running game going with starter DeAngelo Williams ruled inactive prior to the game, his second straight game missed. Jonathan Stewart had five carries for 31 yards and left the game with a knee contusion, not returning after sustaining that injury. The team ran for just 42 yards overall. Benjamin was the team’s leading receiver, catching eight passes for 115 yards.
Perhaps the only negative news in this Week 3 matchup for Pittsburgh was on the injury front. Linebackers Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier, the team’s last two first-round draft picks, each left the game with injuries. The most serious injury of the evening, though, was to veteran cornerback Ike Taylor. As he attempted a tackle, teammate Lawrence Timmons came in hard to help finish the job and appeared to have broken Taylor’s arm. More information on these injuries will be available later in the week.
The Steelers return home to Heinz Field on Sunday to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3), attempting to get off to a perfect start on home turf. Kickoff is at 1 pm.
