It was a tale of two halves as the Steelers jumped the Browns in the 1st half and survived a second half onslaught to start the season with a win!
The Steelers dominated early and scored 27 of their 30 points behind the brilliant play of Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben moved the ball at will and passed for a whopping 270 plus yards in the first half. The Browns rallied and scored three touchdowns and a field goal on their first four possessions of the second half to tie the game 27-27.
In the end the Steelers defense held, forcing a punt with less than a minute left, Ben Roethlisberger completed three consecutive passes and orchestrated a winning drive that covered 33 yards after the Cleveland punt.
Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Le’Veon Bell combined for 17 catches and all had terrific days. Antonio Brown will make the highlight reel not for his spectacular play but for a penalty he received when he kicked Spencer Lanning in the head on a wild return.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBtfgHzQQFY
The defense like the offense were dominant in the first half than stunk in the second half. After holding the Browns to three points and dominating, they got pushed all over. When the Browns were in the pistol, they gashed the defense for 183 yards on the ground. The Steelers will need a better and more complete performance next week against the Ravens.
The special teams despite some worries did an excellent job, Robert Golden did a terrific job chucking a gutsy pass to Antwon Blake. While the Steelers didn’t convert off that it totally slowed the momentum. Brad Wing and Suisham were solid and did a great job.
The game was terribly over officiated on both sides of the ball. Nearly every change of possession had a penalty and in the end the zebras handed 19 penalties for 151 yards.
On a side note, CBS and the announcers are just obsessed with Johnny Manziel, they literally showed him scratching his balls on the bench 20 times. Enough already, not to mention he looks like a jerk.
The second half was scary but considering the Steelers started 0- 4 last year, I will take the win!
Beer We Go Steelers, Beer We Go!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: This is a tough choice, but in the end it has to be Le’Veon Bell who rushed for 109 yards and was tied for the team lead in receptions. The Steelers used him to close out the game. Also Considered, Shaun Suisham, Antonio Brown, Big Ben and Markus Wheaton who was tremendous in his first start.
Where I watched the game: At the house, Drinking Leinekugel Summer Shandy, while KGB drank Corona Lite. Aunt Norma had White Zinfandel(Not a typo). It was a family affair today as the kids watched the game and KGB made Kielbasa pigs in the blanket and home made Fried Ravioli. We all ate outside on the deck at half time.
My Stat of the week: Going to keep it positive, Brad Wing averaged 43.7 yards per punt and helped the reeling Steelers defense in the second half. While there seems to be many questions marks for this team, Wing might be an answer.
My thoughts on Next Week: Which is in four days! The Ravens are going to be desperate after losing to the Bengals and blowing a 4th quarter lead. Bring the biggest piece of lumber you can find and lay the wood, this is the Steelers chance to step on their necks.