In one of the most exciting games of the season, trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter the Steelers rallied with 21 points and 240 yards of offense and vaulted into the playoffs! The victory resulted in a North Title for the Steelers and sent the Ravens home for the season.
Despite two costly interceptions, Ben Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers in the fourth and capped a game winning final drive culminating in an Antonio Brown touchdown with NINE seconds left on the clock. Roethlisberger finished with 279 yards, three touchdowns and completions to seven different receivers. He went from Goat to Hero in 12 minutes.
Le’Veon Bell crushed the Ravens with 122 yards on only 20 carries, it was Bell’s fifth 100-yard game in his last six. He was nearly unstoppable as the offensive line absolutely annihilated the Ravens stout front seven. Bell rushed for one touchdown bouncing a nifty run outside. The protection was outstanding as Roethlisberger was never touched and rarely pressured. Terrell Suggs was shutout, recording not one sack or tackle.
Antonio Brown, after having only one catch in the first half, exploded in the fourth quarter including the game winning touchdown on an outstanding second effort stretch. Brown finished with 10 catches for 96 yards. He was clearly a difference maker. Jesse James and Xavier Grimble did a great job combining for five catches and 69 yards, with Grimble scoring the first TD of the game. Rookies Cobi Hamilton and Demarcus Ayers each contributed.
Playing without Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward, finally caught up with the defensive front seven. The Ravens ran the ball effectively and were able to get to the second level, controlling the clock for most of the game. The defense had several miscues and missed tackles. James Harrison led the team in tackles and Bud Dupree had the only sack of the game. The secondary statistically played well but allowed way to many third down conversions in the second half.
Despite producing his seventh double digit win season in his ten seasons as the Steelers Coach, Mike Tomlin’s success was once again called into question this time by Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw. The Steelers have put together a terrific winnings streak after losing four in a row, including a heartbreaker against Dallas. Yesterday, they claimed Tomlin’s fifth division title and he now has 102 career wins. He is without question one of the best coaches in the NFL and Bradshaw continues to be a self serving, phony jerk.
The Steelers sent home the Bengals last week and now the Ravens this week, leaving them undisputed rulers of the North! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Mike Tomlin, because I am tired of having to defend him. Seriously, what more could you want from a coach. He has done an amazing job and NEVER gets the credit he deserves! Also Considered: Le’Veon Bell and A.B. who willed the Steelers to victory.
Where I watched the game: At the house, with a house full of relatives. KGB took mercy on me and served dinner early as well as championed the dish cleaning, so I could watch the game. I watched with all five of the kids. (After they were done cleaning up) and KGB entertained the relatives. Only had one wayward relative walk in front of the TV during the game…Beer of choice was still IC Light.
My Stat of the week: SEVEN OUT OF TEN seasons, that is an astounding 70% of the seasons Mike Tomlin has posted double digit wins in his coaching career. He also is one of the fastest coaches in history to win 100 games, but somehow he isn’t a great coach. Yeah right!
My Thoughts on next week: Use the Browns game as the bye week. Let’s find the next RJ Bowers, rest our veterans and get ready for round one of the playoffs! The game means nothing to us and the Browns would love to do something stupid to hurt the Steelers.
This week’s Jersey: NO Jersey this week, we had to switch out “Teams for Troops” for a retiring colleague and I rocked the Steelers cardigan sweater for Christmas day.