A maddeningly inconsistent and underperforming Pittsburgh Steelers squad displayed another Jekyll and Hyde effort for a soaked Heinz Field crowd on Sunday, resulting positively in a thrilling 37-27 victory over the visiting Detroit Lions.
For three quarters, Pittsburgh (4-6) dominated in many ways, but a miserable second quarter netted 27 points and a 27-20 halftime lead for Detroit (6-4). In the first quarter, QB Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers stormed to a 14-0 lead thanks to 34 and 47-yard touchdown plays for Antonio Brown. Detroit kicked a field goal early in the second quarter, fumbled on their next drive, and allowed a Shaun Suisham field goal, putting Pittsburgh ahead 17-3. And then, Lions QB Matt Stafford and elite WR Calvin Johnson began to torture CB Ike Taylor and the Steelers secondary. Detroit scored three touchdowns on the next three drives, two to Johnson and one run in by RB Joique Bell, and Pittsburgh would only respond meagerly with another field goal. The first score for Johnson went 79 yards, breaking a Detroit record by putting Stafford atop the Lions all-time passing yards list ahead of Bobby Layne.
Halftime adjustments by head coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau apparently worked, because Johnson would not catch another pass in the game, finishing with six catches for 179 yards and the two touchdowns. Stafford was just 3-16 in the second half, finishing 19-46 for 362 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. No Lions rusher had more than Bell’s 49 yards. Both teams struggled offensively early in the second half, trading punts twice before what appeared to be a sure Steelers touchdown drive stalled in the red zone and led to a field goal.
On the ensuing drive, Detroit would have taken a 30-23 lead on a David Akers field goal, but a failed fake field goal attempt was thwarted when the holder, punter Sam Martin, was hit at the eight yard-line and fumbled, where it was recovered at the three yard-line. Pittsburgh then marched 97 yards on 16 plays for a one-yard Will Johnson touchdown run. Stafford was intercepted by Will Allen on the next drive and Roethlisberger capped a 34-yard drive with a 20-yard pass to Jerricho Cotchery to seal the victory, 37-27, and dismiss the NFC North leaders. Detroit has not win in Pittsburgh since 1955.
Roethlisberger finished the day 29-45 for 367 yards and four touchdowns. Just as important, he did not turn the football over. The Steelers are 3-0 in games when Roethlisberger avoids throwing interceptions. The plus-3 turnover margin was Pittsburgh’s best of the year, continuing a trend of improvement for a team that struggled mightily in that area early this season. Antonio Brown had arguably his best day of the season, making a huge impact early and finishing with seven catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. It was his second multi-score game of the season. Heath Miller led all receivers with eight catches, totaling 67 yards. Cotchery had three receptions for 48 yards. The Pittsburgh running game continued to not produce, totaling just 40 yards on 27 team carries. Starter Le’Veon Bell had 36 yards on 18 carries, almost never having any room to run behind the ailing offensive line.
Pittsburgh remains 2.5 games behind Cincinnati (7-4) heading into the Bengals’ bye week. They defeated Cleveland on Sunday, 41-20, after having trailed 13-0 at one point early in that game. The Steelers will head to Cleveland to play the Browns (4-6) in potentially a battle for second place in the AFC North.
