PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It wasn't pretty, it also didn't lack drama. Ben Roethlisberger with his 38th career fourth quarter comeback (3rd all-time) as the Steelers escape with a 29-27 win on Chris Boswell's third field goal of the game.
"Alright, had it all the way, right?" quipped Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "Man, that's the nature of this things. It's the National Football League, you are going to be in battles. The most important thing is you smile in the face of adversity and delivery the necessary plays."
Boswell made it from 40 yards with 26 seconds left after the Bears took their first lead of the game on a 16-yard touchdown with 1:52 to play. Bears scored in just one minute and six seconds and it proved to be too quick.
Roethlisberger drove the Steelers 52 yards going 4-for-4 on the drive with the big play to Diontae Johnson for 22 yards.
"Pretty cool," Roethlisberger said. "I'll take a win any way we can get it. Hate the stress of the fourth quarter comeback, but will take it."
Chicago outgained the Steelers 414-280, but a couple of turnovers and 12 penalties for 115 yards on the Bears helped allow the home team to escape.
Steelers scored on their opening drive for the third time this season going 59 yards. A key play on a third and seven completion to Chase Claypool of 26 yards. Najee Harris finished running 10 yards through the left side of the line for a 7-0 lead.
After a pair of punts, Cam Heyward batted a pass from Justin Fields and held onto it for his second career interception.
"I don't know," Heyward said of when he knew he had the interception. "When he wrapped me up."
Heyward said they practiced the play this week, saying he's been getting a lot of tips recently. He wanted to get a pick.
Nine plays leader, Roethlisberger held in the pocket and eventually found rookie Pat Freiermuth for a four-yard touchdown, 14-0.
Bears get on the board with a 30-yard field goal at the end of the half to make is 14-3.
Chicago carried that over forcing a Steelers punt and then driving 89-yards for a 22-yard Santos field goal. Steelers answered on a 75-yard drive on nine plays. Roethlisberger hit Freiermuth for a 10-yard score. A second straight week where Freiermuth had to make a combat catch, 20-6 Steelers, but Chris Boswell missed the extra point.
Bears would get a pair of Darnell Mooney touchdowns with a Boswell 54-yard field goal sandwiched in-between before the game winner.
"We have some lessons to learn, but it's good to learn these lessons with a victory," Tomlin said. "So I'm appreciative."
