The Steelers behind a record setting performance by Le’Veon Bell ran all over the Buffalo Bills Sunday. It was their fourth straight victory and gave them sole possession of first place. The score didn’t tell the story, as the Steelers dominated from the opening kickoff.
Le’Veon Bell dominated the day and set a franchise record with 236 rushing yards on a career-high 38 carries for his fourth 100-yard game in a row. He banged in three touchdowns and on 42 touches gained 298 yards from scrimmage. He was nearly unstoppable as the Steelers stayed in the jumbo package and pushed the Bills all over the field.
Roosevelt Nix open several holes as did a dominant offensive line. The numbers rang out how badly the line wore down the Bills front seven, Bell averaged 5.9 yards per carry in the opening 30 minutes and 6.36 yards in the second half when he had 159 yards on 25 carries.
Despite excellent protection, Ben Roethlisberger had a horrible day. He was off target most of the day and he is the only reason the Steelers didn’t win by 50 points. He did convert several third downs and hit seven different receivers, keeping the the heat on the Bills, however in the end he finished with one of his worst games of the year. The whole team did a great job picking Big Ben up.
The defense put on another vintage show. The Bills intended to run the ball and they didn’t even come close. They had only 67 yards and the majority of that was during ‘garbage time. The defensive line never let McCoy get off and he was bottle up on every play. Ryan Shazier Led the teams in tackles and tee’d off on the Bills.
James Harrison played almost every snap of the game and teamed up nicely with Bud Dupree. They chased Tyrod Taylor from the pocket and he looked completely lost at times. The secondary made some great plays and Artie Burns had an uneven but successful performance. He had another pick and should have had a second but gambled and lost on one of the Bills touchdowns. Sean Davis continues to show improvement as he dropped Taylor for a sack and a half. The Bills passing attack was stifled.
Once again Mike Tomlin and company had the right game plan. They beat the Bills at their own game. The defense shut down the Bills’ No. 1 rushing game and crushed their passing game. The rumor in Buffalo is the Rex Ryan show is about to close. Great work and great preparation.
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Le’Veon Bell, for putting together nearly 300 yards of total offense. He absolutely put on a show. Also Considered: The offensive line, Bell didn’t get there on his own. The Line absolutely wrecked the Bills up front. Ryan Shazier who blew up Sean McCoy. Rosey Nix, who reminded us all how dominant a good Fullback can be.
Where I watched the game: At Ralph Wilson Stadium, The Steelers were well represented, KGB surprised me and we flew out early Sunday morning and met up with our dear friends Jen (lifelong Steelers fan) and Art (Cowboys fan, BUT repping BWG on Sunday). We had Sausage and Peppers at the tailgate as well as Beef on Weck. The beer of choice was PBR and a Hyde Park Beer called Fireside Chat. We had a horrible polish liquor Krupnick, (SP?) The Bills fans are very nice but all crazy. Seriously, setting yourself on fire, breaking your leg on a table, slamming a woman through a table and doing …ahem …body shots off strange parts of the body, are all part of the Buffalo experience. Seriously, Beer sales cutoff at the end of the half time break…and it is probably a good idea. This is a blog about drinking beer and football and I am endorsing it, so you know it’s nuts.
My Stat of the week: 236 Yards the new Steelers record for Le’Veon Bell, an amazing day the Steelers three the ball five time the entire second half. It was my kind of football. On a side note I was at the game when Willie Parker broke Frenchy Fuqua’s record. HONORABLE Mention: 3 the number of 100 win Coaches the Steelers have, congratulations to Mike Tomlin.
My Thoughts on next week: This is a must win and this will basically step on the Bengals neck. Look for a rough start and the Steelers to pull away.
This week’s Jersey: Went with Merril Hoge #33 Away White for “Teams for Troops”, also wore it to church on Saturday. Hoge as nice enough to comment on Twitter! Sunday wore my gamer #75 Joe Greene for the game.
