It was a nail biter but in the end the Steelers turned back the Buffalo Bills, thanks to some timely plays and a little bit of luck. After what looked like an impressive opening half the Steelers were forced to hold on for dear life and thanks to a Steve Johnston dropped pass rallied to hold off the Bills.
The game was strangely reminiscent of the Kansas City game from last year. The Steelers were clearly the superior team but lost some steam and let the Bills stay close. The offense was pounding the ball despite the horrid play of the Offensive line. I wrote back in the mid-season report how I felt the O-line was much improved and doing better. I don’t think that is accurate so far in the second half. They played a horrid penalty filled game. That is with them gashing the Bills for over 160 yards rushing.
Ben played a gutsy albeit flawed game and made some great plays when needed. His 18 yard run on a bad wheel is the stuff that people would call the intangibles. I was impressed with that play and it made me realize again that we have a playmaker at QB. The bottom line though is he gets hit WAY too much. Part of that is his fault as he holds the ball way to long the other part is the O-line is patch work and looks and plays like patch work.
Despite a mediocre performance by the line Rashard Mendenhall had a great game despite a costly fumble. He mashed out 151 tough yards! He would have had a shot at “The Game Beer” but I HATE fumbles. His performance was terrific as was his backfield mates. Isaac Redman is proving he can do it on this level as he grinded out 25 hard fought yards. Mewelde Moore is the unsung hero of the offense; he chipped in with 12 yards rushing and 33 yards receiving. This is another emerging strength of the team!
The receivers played their usual workman like game as the Rocks of the Steelers offense Hines Ward belted out a 100 yard game and Heath Miller chipped in for 46 yards! It was a quiet week for Mike Wallace, Randle El and Manny Sanders. Sanders had a huge drop but we will chock that up to youthful exuberance. He had so much green in front of him that he ran before the catch, I just wish he held on because I would have liked to see him in the open field.
As written earlier this game had the feel of last year’s Kansas City game. Just like other games this season v. games last season the Steelers managed to hold onto the win. The difference being; Troy Polamalu played yesterday versus being out last season. Troy is simply a difference maker in everything he does. He is all over the field and continues to be there in the clutch. His interception was huge and would have netted him “The Game Beer” had the Steelers held onto the lead.
The defense played okay, the front seven are starting to show some wear and tear as the D-line just didn’t put together their usual game. That in effect slowed down the linebackers who played well enough to win but not the usual spectacular game. LaMarr Woodley was held on every play practically and was pulled out of position on the Bill’s “big gain”. It was another week and I am sure another call from the league office for our hero “Silverback” James Harrison. He registered a sack and put a few licks on the Bills.
The Jekyll and Hyde season for the secondary continues. William Gay needs to stop talking (insert your expletive here) on every freaking play. He however, had a great game filling in for Bryan McFadden and the secondary stepped up. The Bills tried to employ the “Patriot Method” to beating the Steelers. As I pointed out no one else has Tom Brady so it is hard to do. The secondary held strong for the most part. Ike Taylor played well although you will be seeing him get burned for the next years on the OT drop by Johnston. I recognized the ghost of Keenan Lewis and Anthony Madison out there. Ryan “Crash” Clark played well and didn’t give himself or anyone else a concussion as I mentioned Troy Polamalu just makes a difference.
Before everyone panics as we like to do in Steelers nation, keep in mind the Bills scored 16 Points the whole game and the TD was on a busted play that Woodley got yanked down on. The Refs absolutely hosed us every chance they could which included another nonsense roughing the passer, phantom pass interference and several holding calls. To be fair the holding calls were legit but were only called one way. The only reason this game was close was because the Steelers had a huge turnover and the refs jerked us up. When the Bills played the “Vaunted” Ravens defense, old Ivy Leaguer Fitzpatrick put up 382 Yards against them and the Bills grinded out 132 yards on the ground! They weren’t even close to making that happen yesterday. This leads us to next week!
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO STEELERS.
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Dan Sepulveda! Why the punter you might ask, because his OT Punt saved the gamed. He banged out a net 65 yard punt that the Bills fumbled. Honorable mention is for Troy Polamalu and Rashard Mendenhall. Not to start a rumor but Mrs. Captain Tailgate has a wicked crush on Dan!
Where I watched the game: Quietly, depending on your perspective at KGBs, while pacing the living room and screaming at the TV. The Captain and I texted the whole time discussing’ the bad feelings this game was giving us. Didn’t eat anything or drink anything during the game except a 2 liter Diet Root Beer and went to Applebee’s to celebrate afterward!
My thoughts on Next Week: Of course this is all hinges on Ben playing; The Steelers should have beaten the Ravens once already this year. With Ben they would have, as the offense completely died in the second half. My feeling is the Steelers are going to beat them pretty handily this time. I know this is like playing with fire but just have a feeling!