PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A week after the Ravens bullied the defense, especially at the end of the game, the Steelers took it to the Panthers-on both sides of the ball in a 24-16 win.
Hearing about it all week, the 6-8 Steelers limited a 5-9 Carolina offense coming off 233 yards rushing against Seattle, to 21 yards on the ground. A missed assignment by James Pierre led to the only Panthers touchdown. A first field goal was only because Marcus Allen decided to taunt the Panthers after a third-down stop. Even when Carolina used that momentum from the Allen play, and a pass interference near the goal line on the next drive, Larry Ogunjobi, Cam Heyward and TJ Watt converged with sack on third and goal to make them settle for a second field goal. They would add a desperation final field goal with 19 seconds left.
Steelers controlled the line of scrimmage.
Oft-injured this year, Ogunjobi did exactly what they signed him to do in the offseason. Either he was making one of five tackles, or he clogged up the middle to allow others to make plays. Heyward was noticeable with a sack and a half. Second-year defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk played several key snaps replacing Chris Wormley. Watt with a sack and a half and Alex Highsmith with a sack and four tackles returning home.
Another story line from last week-difference between the Steelers and Ravens were middle linebackers making impact plays. While they didn’t force a turnover, Robert Spillane finished with a team-leading seven tackles and Devin Bush had four.
The dominance maybe more noticeable on the offensive side, a near 13-minute time of possession advantage and converted 75% of their third downs.
Let’s credit five guys on the offensive line who were called out for bad play early in the year.
· Left Tackle Dan Moore
· Left Guard Kevin Dotson
· Center Mason Cole
· Right Guard James Daniels
· Right Tackle Chukwuma Okorafor
They along with key blocks by Derek Watt, Zach Gentry, Pat Freiermuth, George Pickens, Diontae Johnson and others opened the door for long drives none prettier than the opening drive of the third quarter. Steelers overcame a pair of penalties for an unprecedented 21-play drive. They went 91 yards taking 11:43 off the clock and extending the lead to a pair of scores. Mitch Trubisky connected with Johnson for 56 yards on the drive, two of the catches converting third downs.
While he went over-the-top with a taunting penalty after a big catch on that drive, Johnson had a Hines Ward-type day finishing with 10 catches on 10 targets for 98 yards and brought an enthusiasm and a toughness that rubbed off on others.
Steelers ended the game doing to Carolina what Baltimore did to them seven days prior. The defense knew the Steelers would run and yet it was Pittsburgh owning the line of scrimmage. They ran five minutes, eleven seconds off the clock on the final drive before Chris Boswell sealed the win. Steelers rushed for 156 total yards. Najee Harris (24 carries, 86 yards), Jaylen Warren (11 carries, 38 yards), Mitch Trubisky (9 yards) all had rushing touchdowns.
Does this change their playoff hopes? Doubtful. It did show there is still a lot of pride in the Steelers locker room even if they are playing out the string. Absolutely.