In a fairly anticlimactic game, the Steelers beat the Browns 24-10 and finished the season without a losing record. It was a reversal of fortune in that the Steelers struggled to move the ball and were actually outgained, but made the plays that were needed to win. The defense forced three fumbles and had an interception to close the deal.
It was a disappointing season and the game was uninspiring. The Steelers defense looked kind of bored and every time the Browns were driving they would make the play to stop them. It was only the second time in the past 11 games a team gained more than 300 yards against the defense, but they never broke and kept the Browns off the scoreboard.
Lawrence Timmons and Cortez Allen played great games. Timmons absolutely ear holed third string Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and sent him from the game, then promptly sent Josh Johnson to the showers on the next play! Cortez Allen will have a good chance of starting next year with the impending departure of Keenan Lewis. Lewis was injured in the first quarter and left the game.
The offense was disjointed, and Ben Roethlisberger confessed that he hasn’t been right since his return. Unlike the last two weeks, they made the plays when needed and pulled out the game. Jonathan Dwyers rushed for 52 yards making him the team leader with 623, one of the lowest totals in the last forty years. Without Heath Miller and Wallace the passing game struggled and the offensive line was banged up AGAIN, losing David DeCastro (stinger) and RT Kelvin Beachum. That forced Doug Legursky in at Guard and Ramon Foster had to play tackle, where he had trouble.
Nine different players caught passes and six players caught at least two passes. Plaxico Burress made his case to come back next year with a great catch in the end zone for his first Steelers touchdown in eight years. Also chipping in were Leonard Pope (Yes, he is still on the team.) with a TD catch and Antonio Brown who put together a nice season, sans the Cowboys game!
Whether the Steelers made the playoffs or not, it was going to be a quick exit. While teams can’t and won’t use injuries as a reason for losing, the Steelers were just too banged up at the end.
It is going to be a long offseason this year!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Lawrence Timmons who capped off a great season with a great game. He was one of the bright spots in a dismal year. Also Considered: Plaxico Burress, who made a great catch on the Touchdown, Cortez Allen who made a great case for a starting job next year!
Where I watched the game: Back at the house, quietly sipping on a Spider Bite Pale Ale with KGB with great sandwiches from Uncle Giuseppes!
My Stat of the week: Four turnovers for the Steelers defense. It was an uneven effort, but the turnovers were solid.
My thoughts on Next Week: It is going to a be a terribly long off season!