I traveled about 3500 miles in search of our first win and came up empty, turns out it was in my own backyard. The Steelers broke their 0 for 2013 streak with a strong win against the New York Jets in a wildly pro Steeler crowd at Met Life Stadium. It was the traditional formula for victory. The Steelers defense played its best game of the season; stopping the run, sacking the quarterback and producing two key turnovers that wiped out Jets scoring drives. The offense held onto the ball and made big plays when needed.
A great defensive performance starts with the front seven. The linebackers propelled the defense; LaMarr Woodley and Jason Worilds had two of the three sacks on Geno Smith. Lawrence Timmons came up with a pick in the red zone — intercepting a pass at the Steelers 3 and that errant throw was caused by Jarvis Jones. Vince Williams put a lick on the Jets running backs and the defensive line even without Brett Keitel collapsed the pocket and shrunk the running lanes for the Jets. Steelhead Heyward continues his breakout season and he justified his move into the starting lineup. The Secondary held Geno Smith in check and he didn’t complete a pass longer than 29 yards. Safety Ryan Clark had the first pick at the Steelers 1 in the third quarter to protect a 16-6 lead.
The offense still looks like a work in progress and the protection was only slightly better than the previous game. Roethlisberger was dropped 4 times and he was under pressure most of the afternoon. But he never turned the ball over and actually scrambled out of the pocket several times and made plays when he needed to. It was also his best game of the year even if the numbers don’t indicate that. The Steelers actually were able to finally run the ball racking up 61 yards in the second half icing the game. The receiving core continues to be a bright spot, Antonio Brown racked up 9 catches, Manny Sanders had the biggest play of the day with a 55 Yarder and even the Jet fans were cheering for Heathhhhhh as he hauled in 6 catches for 81 yards.
It feels good to be back in the win column and this week is Ravens week so buckle up!
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: The Steelers Defense, (So I guess it is a game case) for finally playing to their ability and the offensive line they pushed around Sunday aren’t a bunch of slouches. Honorable Mention, Antonio Brown, seriously he could win this every week.
Where I watched the game: Met Life Stadium with my Beer We Go Nation. The place was LOADED with Steelers fans and we escaped a corporate party and tailgated with some Steelers fans, one benefit of my business life is having friends in high places who like the Jets, we had awesome seats and seriously it was like a home game. I actually brain farted and was wondering when Renegade was going to come on. Also rocked the LC Greenwood throwback Sunday. RIP LC! The beer we drank was Iron
City that I had won on a bet from my friend Bob Dillon! We also had a few Miller Lites inside the Stadium.
My Stat of the week: Two Turnovers, for the first time this season the Steelers won the turnover battle and both were in the Red Zone. Great effort again by the defense.
My thoughts on Next Week: Ravens week. I am actually always in a bad mood all week and can’t wait for this one. PROTECT BEN and we will beat any team. The Ravens have won the last three games at Heinz Field, so look for the Steelers to snap the streak this week.