The Steelers pulled the upset with some Landry magic over the Cardinals! After being dominated for most of the first half, the Steelers rallied around third string Quarterback Landry Jones. Jones threw a pair of touchdown passes to Martavis Bryant who returned from his suspension and led the Steelers to victory over a tough Arizona team.
Jones stepped into his first NFL regular season game finished 8 of 12 for 168 yards and the two scores. Bryant caught six passes for 137 yards and he looks like the playmaker he was last year. Ripping off an 88 yard touchdown that was spectacular in sealing the game and catching the first touchdown of the game in a back of the end zone leaping catch! Le’Veon Bell with a stacked box grinded out 88 of the toughest yards you have ever seen. He fought and fought and eventually the Steelers O-line wore down the Cardinals front seven.
While the offense struggled in the first half the defense absolutely kept the Steelers in the game. The defense held the league’s highest-scoring offense to just 13 points, even though the Cardinals had 21 first downs and 469 yards offense. For the second game in a row, they held the opponent under 56 yards rushing and 3 yards per attempt (2.8). DE Cam Heyward had two tackles for loss in the run game and was on fire all day. James Harrison played his best game of the year. Silverback was in for the injured Jarvis Jones and had the only sack and a forced fumble that led to the first touchdown. He also wrecked an Arizona defender for taunting after the Mike Mitchell interception. Lawrence Timmons had a first-quarter interception, with an assist from Vince Williams and Arthur Moats had a tackle for 2-yard loss on third-and-2 at the Steelers 19 that forced the Cardinals to settle for a field goal when it was 15-10. The secondary bent but again did not break!
Chris Boswell, aka “Little Bos” looks like a keeper, he banged out 3 field goals including a 50+ yarder. It was a relief to see a good kicking game.
The only downside of the game is that Kelvin Beachum looks lost for the year. His injury looked horrific. He has been a steadying force for the Steelers and is in his contract year. He is a terrific player and represents what the Steelers are all about. Alejandro Villanueva will have his hand full replacing him.
There was a lot of hype about Bruce Arians and Mike Tomlin. The results speak for themselves and while Arians is a two time NFL coach of the year, once again the Steelers came out on top, with a gutsy performance by Tomlin.
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: If you follow us on twitter, it is of course Landry Jones and Chris Boswell. Both did great work yesterday and kept the Steelers train on the tracks. It was a great day and a game I will remember for a long time. Also Considered: Martavis Bryant, who could easily make a case and of course OUR HERO Silverback James Harrison who absolutely was a force yesterday.
Where I watched the game: After consideration of watching it at Irish Exit in Manhattan, I decided to take a later train and watch it with my amazing kids and My awesome Better 3/4 KGB. Because I had a professional commitment I had a meeting in the city, so food was light. KGB made me the greatest sandwich ever, with was Stuffing, Fresh Turkey and Cranberry. The beer of choice was Sam Adams Light which I absolutely loved!
My Stat of the week: 1-0 Landry Jones Record as the Steelers Quarterback, He did an outstanding job and breathed life into a Steelers team that was struggling.
My thoughts on Next Week: The Steelers have a tough Kansas City that is just itching to get back in contention. I would sit Ben one more Week and roll with Landry. Either way look for a Steeler grind out.