The Steelers four game losing streak is over, Jason Gildon’s reign as Steeler’s Sack leader is over…as the Steelers dominated the Cleveland Browns 24-9. It was a vintage performance for the Black and Gold, as they pounded the football and turned the defense loose on the hapless Browns.
The Steelers were determined to pound the football, and they did just that, Le’Veon Bell rushed for 16 of his 28 carries in the first half for 85 yards. He rack up seven catches for 50 yards before half, giving him 23 touches for 135 in the first half. Bell finished with 201 scrimmage yards on 36 touches, including a season-high 146 yards rushing. The Offensive line absolutely dominated the Browns up front, suffocating the Browns defense, putting together drives of 8:02, 9:18 and 9:28 – the three longest of the season. Ben Roethlisberger was never sacked and had all day to pass the ball.
Roethlisberger, put in a vintage Steelers QB performance, he controlled the game, only passed when needed and kept the Browns on their heels the whole game. He was never sacked and never turned the ball over. The offense only had one touchdown, but again they slowed the game’s tempo down to an almost crawl and kept the Browns offense on the sideline most of the day.
Whatever your opinion is of Mike Tomlin, he coaches to win. Not everyone likes it and he is “unconventional”, but he coaches without fear. Going for it THREE times on the Goal Line once with 10 seconds then NO Seconds TWO times takes nerve and it shows faith in the players. Of course going for two afterwards was completely demoralizing to the Browns. The team had a game plan and they executed it exactly how they drew it up.
While the day belonged to Le’Veon Bell, James Harrison stole the show! Harrison delivered in his start and battled Joe Thomas all day and eventually recorded his record sack. He is now the Steelers all time sack leader. He set the tone for a defense who was absolutely eviscerated last week against Dallas.
Lawrence Timmons had a monster game, eight tackles a sack and he sent Cody Kessler to the locker room on a clean hit! Stephon Tuitt, was dominant getting 2½ sacks, four quarterback hurries and delivering several hits including a bone jarring shot on Josh McCown. Ryan Shazier had a strip sack, that led to a TD and blew up ever single screen attempt.
The secondary is still a work in progress with Artie Burns making some nice plays and struggling on others. Sean Davis made some key mistakes again, but is showing signs of development. Mike Mitchell, continues to cream opponents and struggle in coverage.
While beating the Browns is not exactly a badge of honor, it is one of the Steelers arch rivals and in the end they are playing for their lives, a victory of a dominant fashion is exactly what was needed and in the end was achieved!
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Have to give out two: Le’Veon Bell for what he did Sunday and James Harrison “SILVERBACK” for what he has done throughout his career. Also Considered: All the linebackers for their route and Stephon Tuitt for nearly killing Josh McCown.
Where I watched the game: In front of a great fire, with KGB cuddled up to me and the Tailgate Kids, I had IC Light which I brought back from the ‘Burgh, this plays into how dominant the Steelers were, I didn’t finish my first beer until end of the first half. The half moved so fast! We had an amazing Buffalo Chicken and Chipolte Chicken Bread that KGB made. Absolutely awesome and might be the best snack of the year!
My Stat of the week: EIGHT sacks…registered by the defense, the most in 4 1/2 years.
My Thoughts on this week: The game is in three days! Look for the Steelers to follow the same game plan vs. the Browns, dominate the Colts up front and keep Andrew Luck on the sideline. The Colts will be looking for a measure of revenge as the Steelers have “lumped” them up two years in a row.
This week’s Jersey: Went with Le’Veon Bell 26, Color Rush for “Teams for Troops” and went with Vanity Jersey Steelers home #14