PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – An offensive explosion in the fourth quarter, along with the defense stepping up and the Steelers pull out a 24-17 win in Los Angeles.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Steelers offense had 110 total yards, 1 for 7 on third down. That changed dramatically in the fourth as the Steelers had it for nearly 12 minutes with 192 total yards to 20 for the Rams. Steelers converted three of four on third down and the fourth down sneak to find a way to win. It keeps the Steelers on pace with the Browns and Ravens who won on Sunday.
Offense wakes up
For the last two weeks there has been much talk about what receiver Diontae Johnson could bring back to the offense. He went out with a hamstring injury early in the second half of the season opener, to return in Week 7. On a critical third-down and eight with the Rams up seven points early in the fourth quarter, Johnson made that impact.
He ran a perfect route to not only to get the first down, but 30 yards after catch got the Steelers down to the LA 18-yard line. That would spark the Steelers offense. Jaylen Warren with a tough five-yard run and then Isaac Seumalo took a couple of players out allowing Warren to dart up the middle into the end zone to allow Chris Boswell to tie the game.
The next drive started ominously after an 18-yard reception, George Pickens taunted the Los Angeles defensive back for an unsportsmanlike penalty wiping out the gain. Steelers would fight through it, Warren with a tough six-yard run to set up a converted quarterback sneak behind Seumalo. Kenny Pickett would hit Pickens for 21 yards, Najee Harris would run for 15 yards, Johnson with an 11-yard catch. A Connor Heyward 11-yard reception got it down to the Rams three-yard line and Harris would dive in from there to give the Steelers a 24-17 lead.
Steelers defense got another fourth-quarter stop, on the next Steelers possession, facing a third-and-three, Pickett found Pickens for 31 yards down the seam to get it into Rams territory. On the next third-down, a taunting penalty this time by Johnson wiped out a first down on a bad call against Rams, and former Steelers, corner Ahkello Witherspoon. Pickett would hit Allen Robinson on the replayed third-down, just short of the first down. By an inch, Pickett would gain the first down and seal the win.
Pickett was 7-for-7 for 138 yards in the fourth quarter (17-25, 230 yards overall), Harris rushed for 28 yards in the fourth (14-53 yards total), Warren rushed for 26 yards in the fourth (6-32 yards total) and each scoring touchdowns. Pickens had 70 yards receiving in the fourth, 107 for the game and Johnson with 50 in the fourth quarter, 79 for the game.
Defensive help
The first score of the second half, set up by the defense. It was a play where the Steelers split the NFL leader in sacks out into coverage. Before you know the result, you might think, what are defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and the Steelers thinking?
15-year veteran Matt Stafford eyeing Cooper Kupp as TJ Watt was keeping his eyes on Stafford. He cut in front of Kupp to intercept the pass and return it the Rams seven-yard line. It wasn’t easy, but the Steelers would score on a QB sneak from the one-yard line.
Stats/Notes
· Minkah Fitzpatrick 11 tackles (6 solo)
· LB Cole Holcomb 8 tackles including a tackle for loss
· Rookie OLB Nick Herbig got his first NFL sack
· It was Seumalo’s best game as along with his blocking, also recovered a Harris fumble
· Aaron Donald finished with no tackles for loss and only two quarterback hurries with four tackles
· LA kicker Brett Maher finished 1 of 3 field goals and missed an extra point
· Rams rookie Puka Nacua had eight catches for 154 yards