So the Steelers won the game Monday night against a tough Ravens team, but they also lost something as well. Players. The game was a defensive struggle, as expected, but our defense won out. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison both had tremendous outings, as well as the rest of the defense. Harrison is a beast and proved so on a play where he sacked Joe Flacco and forced a fumble, which Woodley picked up and ran in the end zone for a defensive TD!
The story of the evening was injuries, a lot of them. Andre Frazier was carted off the field after the opening kick-off. Rashard Mendenhall and Kendall Simmons were both also lost for the season after sustaining injuries as well. So the team pulled out a win last night, but it was hard fought.
Mendenhall looked good as he had 9 carries for 30 yards before leaving the field with a shoulder injury. Replaced by Carey Davis, who also left the field with an injury. In comes Mewelde Moore, who looked very good in catching the ball out of the backfield and scampering to set up the game winning field goal in overtime.
Moore said, “Coach Tomlin told me when I came here I’d be his minute man, that I had to be ready on a minute’s notice. Everything he said held true.” True to form Moore will obviously see more playing time with the 3 RBs in front of him all out with injuries. This is the NFL and on a short week to prepare for the Jacksonville Jaguars, look for the Steelers to sign another back to the roster to add some depth.
Big Ben found Santonio Holmes for a 38-yard touchdown pass on a third-and-4. Roethlisberger was 14-of-24 for 191 yards and was sacked three times. Apparently screaming at his offense in the locker room during half-time to play better as a unit. It worked in the end as the team managed to put Jeff Reed in position to win the game with an overtime kick of 46 yards.
As Steeler fans we knew this game was going to be close and probably come down to a field goal to win, which it did. We just didnt think we would lose so many players as a result.
The Steelers now sit atop the AFC North with a 3-1 record, an upcoming game a Jacksonville and then a much needed bye week following that.
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MARK FARESSA
September 30, 2008 at 9:01 am
Well, we got a win but it was just as ugly as our loss last week. Funny that when Simmons went out, the o-line did not give up another sack. weird, huh?
Good to see BIG BEN fire up the troops, they needed it. This line is bad and the coaching is even worse. This team, in this condition, will go no-where fast.
I hope I am wrong but weaknesses will be glaring now. No way to hide them.
Federico Miranda
September 30, 2008 at 9:21 am
I tried to cool my head a little yesterday and analize what is making that O-line play so bad, the answer is play calling. Arians insists in throw the recievers deep, and with a very bad line, every time Big Ben is under pressure, sack, hit or whatever. Yesterday was Kemoatu taking off Ben shoe. In 2nd. half in the no huddle offensive with quik routes, they move the ball perfectly the result a TD. then they get back to the same. Tomlin has to realize that Arians has not OC material. I guess the fault is not entirely of the O-line.
Dennis
September 30, 2008 at 10:01 am
The worst things about the overtime was having to endure those ugly throwback jerseys for an extra 8:55.
Tim
September 30, 2008 at 11:56 am
A win is a win and I’ll take it. However, Big Ben certainly hasn’t been playing like a $100 Million Quarterback. He seems to be regressing instead of progressing. Oh well, I guess I have impossibly high standards for our starting quarterback.
If I owned the Steelers I’d be pissed that Big Ben isn’t playing lights out each and every down!
mark
October 1, 2008 at 4:20 am
Tim, while I do agree Ben hasnt been playing “lights out” we must admit that in order for him to do that, he has to be standing up. I do believe he is starting to feel the pressure before its actually there. If they can pull off a win this weekend as depleted as they are, my guess is the week off and a 4-1 record will rejuvinate the team. 3-2 is good, 4-1 is always better. The o-line coaching and offense game plan MUST get better.
Tim
October 1, 2008 at 6:38 am
I agree with your assessment Mark. I hope they can steal a victory from Jacksonville this Sunday Night and then take the bye week to get healthy and – hopefully – knock some sense into the offensive line!
Dustin
October 1, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Your curse of the Colts is now broken. I found the piece of the terrible towel under the RCA Dome field turf. The Steelers won’t have a chance when the come to Indy this year and play in Lucas Oil Stadium.
mark
October 2, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Dustin, the game this year against the Colts is in Pittsburgh. The only way the Steelers can dust the Colts again would be if the Colts can end up at home during the palyoffs.Even if the Colts get in, they would be in Pittsburgh anyway.