The Steelers held on for a 27-19 win over Denver yesterday at Heinz Field, after nearly blowing a 24-6 fourth quarter lead.
Cornerback James Pierre intercepted a fourth-down Teddy Bridgewater pass in the end zone. Bridgewater had driven the Broncos to the Steelers’ three-yard line after leading them to two scores, on passes of two yards and 39 yards in the final quarter. The Steelers countered with a Chris Boswell 43-yard field goal after Denver failed to draw within three on a two-point conversion.
Ben Roethlisberger threw touchdown passes to Diontae Johnson on the first Steelers possession of the game and to Chase Claypool with 2:41 left in the third quarter. Big Ben was 15-of-25 passing for 253 yards and no interceptions, but he did fumble the ball on a strip sack in the first quarter.
Rookie Najee Harris had his first 100-yard day as a pro, running for 122 yards and a touchdown before having to leave the game with leg cramps. Harris ran for 89 yards in the first half.
Coach Mike Tomlin says it was a good win.
Roethlisberger says it wasn’t a work of art for the offense, but it was good enough.
The Steelers defense gave up only 135 yards in total offense before the Broncos broke free for 219 yards in the fourth quarter. Linebacker TJ Watt says the defense did its job.
Harris says the Steelers line was the key to getting the offense headed in the right direction.
The Steelers’ injury report was not good. Wide Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was taken to the hospital with a shoulder injury suffered on an end-around run in the first quarter. He was seen screaming in pain as Steelers medical personnel worked on him on the sidelines. Linebacker Devin Bush left the game with a groin injury. Claypool spent the fourth quarter with ice on his sore hamstring, which he said was cautionary.
Next up is a Sunday night game against the Seahawks at Heinz Field, followed by the Steelers’ bye week.
The Steelers are still in last place in the AFC North, but are just one game behind the Browns and Bengals. Cleveland lost to the LA Chargers, 47-42, while Cincinnati fell to Green Bay in overtime, 25-22. The Ravens host the Colts tonight in Baltimore.
NFL
NFL highlights yesterday included Tom Brady throwing five touchdown passes for the second time this season in Tampa Bay’s 45-17 win over Miami. Jacksonville lost its twentieth straight game, 37-19 to the Titans. And the preseason choice for the AFC title, Kansas City, fell to 2-and-3 with a 38-20 loss to Buffalo.
