Steelers' Surge Sparked By Landry Jones
By: Bradley Stewart
The Steelers struggled early in the game, allowing 279 yards in the first half. They only had 59 total yards in the first two-quarters. Mike Vick couldn't get the offense going at all, only going 3-8 for six yards. He did have five rushes for forty-seven yards, however. Pittsburgh's weak spot heading into the season, their defense, showed tremendous poise and skill in the first half, only allowing ten points in the first half. Steelers Offensive Tackle Kelvin Beachum tore his ACL in the first half, but Alejandro Villanueva played tremendously well in relief. Villaneuva served three terms in Afghanistan and was signed during the offseason from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Steelers Quarterback, Michael Vick injured his leg during the 3rd Quarter of Sunday's game against the Cardinals, and will be out for at least a week as he deals with a 'tiny' tear in his hamstring. 3rd-String quarterback, Landry Jones was then forced to enter the game. Jones was drafted three years ago after a great playing career at the Oklahoma University. Landry Jones was brought in to replace Roethlisberger when he retires and it sure seems that he has the skill to be able to produce optimal starter quality. Reports surfaced that Roethlisberger might play this past week against Arizona, but it was very unlikely. Roethlisberger will practice fully this week, which would create an interesting decision for Mike Tomlin to make. Jones looked terrific in the Steelers victory Sunday, going 8-12, with 168 yards and two touchdowns, sporting a 93 quarterback-rating. However, Big Ben is one of the league's top two quarterbacks but is only 2-4 in games returning from injury. If Roethlisberger is able to play on Sunday, it may be wise to sit him out, unless he is at 100%.
Pittsburgh got one of their key, young weapons back in Martavis Bryant. Bryant scored two touchdowns in his regular season debut. The second-year wideout made a terrific catch on a hard and high thrown ball, by Landry Jones and registered an 88-yard catch and run to put the game out of reach with under two minutes to go. Surprisingly, the Steelers did not commit a turnover in this game, with two backup quarterbacks playing in this game. This season, Pittsburgh has struggled in the kicking department, with Shaun Suisham and Garret Hartley both out for the season with injuries and Josh Scobee missing crucial kicks. After Scobee missed two probable game-winning field goals against arch-rival Baltimore, Pittsburgh picked up practice squad kicker Chris Boswell. In two games, Boswell has been perfect, going for 5-5. Pittsburgh is one of the hardest fields to kick field goals in with wind coming in off the river. Boswell's first fifty-yard field goal went straight through the uprights. Chris has been making fans happy and I see no reason to believe it won't continue.
I believe the Steelers could have easily put the game away with seven minutes to go. Up two and easily driving down the field, by running it right down Arizona's throats. On a 2nd and 6, from the Cardinals eight yard-line, Landry Jones threw a fade route to largely shut down Antonio Brown which fell incomplete. Pittsburgh was gaining large sums of yards over and over again, why stop and throw a pass? While the decision did not cost Pittsburgh the game, they still could have easily scored a touchdown to put the game away.
Pittsburgh forced three turnovers in their 25-13 win. James Harrison forced a fumble on the Cardinals 40-yard line which swung the momentum of the game onto Pittsburgh's side. The most crucial turnover was Mike Mitchell's interception in the end zone with under three minutes to go. Arizona was driving down five, but Carson Palmer's poor read of the field led to Martavis Bryant's subsequent 88-yard touchdown. This defense looked incredibly skilled and athletic in holding the NFL's highest scoring offense to only thirteen points. If Pittsburgh's defense can continue their dominance, with Ben Roethlisberger returning to action soon, the Steelers are a legitimate threat to everyone in the league.
The Steelers will next face the (1-5) Kansas City Chiefs. Whether or not Roethlisberger plays is yet to be seen, but if Pittsburgh's defense can repeat their performance and Jones can stay a viable QB2 putting up solid QB1 numbers, I can see Pittsburgh possibly catching the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North before our Week 11 bye. It has been a struggle this year, watching the Bengals get off to this hot start, but Pittsburgh is playing its' best football of the season without their franchise cornerstone at the helm. If you're a Steelers' fan struggling with handling the Bengals success after the St. Louis Cardinals dominance this summer, remember that the Ravens are (1-5). That should put a smile on your face.
No comments:
Post a Comment