PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Coaches will tell you the two biggest possessions of a game are the final one before the end of the first half and the first one to start the second half. Check those two off as big series as the Steelers beat Miami 28-15 Monday night.
Trailing 3-0 and having little success offensively, Steelers went on a clock-bleeding, 12-play, 60-yard drive including a fourth-and-one conversion and the eventual touchdown on a Conner Heyward tush-push for a one-yard TD. The series was highlighted by double-digit yardage plays from Aaron Rodgers to Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington and a pair to Kenneth Gainwell.
Steelers would go into half leading 7-3.
“That drive was a big one after they got the field goal,” Rodgers said. “They had the short kick and we went 60. You know, for us to keep the ball for the last four on the clock and give them no time was good. Then we came out, we got a first down and we scored.”
Dolphins won the toss and took the ball, giving the Steelers the first crack in the second half. This drive keyed by a 38-yard run by Gainwell where he broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage. It ended on Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s first reception as a Pittsburgh Steeler, a 19-yard touchdown to make it 14-3.
“We get seven points late and then the second half comes and our offense really ran the ball well,” said defensive captain Cam Heyward. “When you’re able to get 14 points like that, it really makes it hard for a team to overcome that early in the half.”
After trailing much of the game, the Steelers used those two possessions to take control of the game with the real feel temperature below zero.
“It’s always big to bookend halftime and certainly we have had some success there in some instances, but that was big today,” Tomlin said.
DK-what a play
The touchdown that made it 21-3 was 28 yards to DK Metcalf on a 3rd and 12 in a tight window. That in itself was big, but that he knocked down former Steelers Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on the way made it bigger.
“Unbelievable man, that’s why his contract is what it is,” said a smiling Jonnu Smith. “A guy being able to make that play. Not a lot of receiver I’ve been around can make that play. That’s immediately, as soon as he catches that ball, he becomes a Pro Bowl running back. That gave us the momentum push we needed.”
“The play to DK was one of the better plays I’ve seen in my 21 years,” Rodgers said. “There is a play by (Donald) Driver back in 2009, which was one of the greatest catch and runs I’ve ever seen. That was pretty special. Tight windown, catch, juke, hard stiff arm. That was fun to see him get that one.”
“Hell of an effort,” said defensive captain Cam Heyward. “He’s physical. You know, when he plays mad like that, you better get out of his way.