PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – For the first time this season and the first time since November 8, 2018, the Steelers amassed more than 30 points. They needed most of them to beat the Eagles 38-29.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that are just believing in each other, and when someone stumbles, someone else is there to pick them up, and that’s what makes this team special,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who finished 27 of 34 for 239 yards and three touchdowns.
All of the scores to Chase Claypool who Roethlisberger said works hard with God-given talent. Claypool and James Conner also had short touchdown runs.
“I don’t know exactly what we were, but I feel like we were balanced out there,” Roethlisberger said about the game Sunday. “We converted a lot of third downs. Once again, I took a knee at the end of the game, and that’s always the best play in football.”
Steelers were great on third down, converting 11 of 15 attempts for 73%, throwing for the 239 and rushing for 136 yards. They were also 3 of 3 in the red zone, all of them touchdowns.
Even with that, Roethlisberger wasn’t completely happy.
“I’m still missing the deep ball too much, still overthrowing,” Roethlisberger said. “I’ve got to figure it out. I don’t know if the doc made my arm I guess a little stronger, I don’t know. I’ve got to figure out how to connect on those deep balls a little more.”
STRUGGLES ON DEFENSE
While Steven Nelson did have a pair of interceptions, the Steelers defense allowed 71% of third down conversions, a 74-yard touchdown run on third and long and a career-high 10 catches for 152 yards to Philadelphia’s Travis Fulgham.
“They had guys like 13 (Fulgham) stepping up and making combat catches,” said head coach Mike Tomlin. “We had guys in position, they made some plays. I don’t want to discredit them.”
“Can we be better? Certainly. We had a roughing the passer. We gave up the football down the middle on a long yardage situation. We had things that we need to focus on and do better, but I would be remiss if I didn’t complement them.”
Steelers did get some pressure on Carson Wentz, sacking him five times with 11 other quarterback hurries.
“We are just going to have to go back and look at the film, but happy to be 4-0,” said linebacker TJ Watt.
INJURIES
Tomlin said receiver Diontae Johnson took a direct blow to the back and he may be available next week. Guard David DeCastro had an abdominal injury, his availability is in question for Sunday against Cleveland. Maurkice Pouncey suffered a foot injury late and Tomlin had yet to receive medical information.
FANS
Steelers announced 4,807 fans at Heinz Field, as the state permitted spectators for the first time this season.
“It was amazing,” said linebacker Vince Williams. “It felt like it was 62-thousand people in there, I can’t even lie the difference that it makes. I’m extremely proud to be a Pittsburgh Steeler.”
