Pittsburgh Steelers Offense Looking Good In Defeating Carolina Panthers
After eight quarters of not finding the end zone, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense erupted in the second half on Sunday night as they defeated the host Carolina Panthers 37-19 on Sunday night.
The Black and Gold put up 14 points in both the third and fourth quarters, a surge that started whenBen RoethlisbergerandAntonio Brownbroke through at 11:10 in the third quarter, teaming for a seven-yard touchdown strike to wrap up a four-play, 17-yard drive.
After a spectacular 81-yard run byLe’Veon Bell, Roethlisberger found Brown again with a seven-yard pass that finished off a six-play, 80-yard drive at the 2:31 mark of the third quarter.
Roethlisberger completed 22 of 30 for 196 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions while Brown had 10 receptions for 90 yards in addition to his pair of touchdowns.
The Pittsburgh offensive line went to work and unleashed the running game for everyone to see as both Bell andLeGarrette Blountwent over 100 yards rushing as the team rumbled for 264 total rushing yards to Carolina’s 42 yards.
Bell contributed 147 yards on 21 carries while Blount concluded his night with 10 carries for 118 yards at Bank of America Stadium.
For the first half, it was placekickerShaun Suishamwho got the Black and Gold on the scoreboard as he went 42 yards with his first field goal of the game to finish an 87-yard drive with 11 seconds left on the clock in the first quarter.
The 32-year-old kicker added two more in the second quarter with a 24-yard kick at the 5:40 mark and a 45-yard shot with three seconds left in the half
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Special teams added to the scoresheet and helped put the game away in the fourth quarter asShamarko Thomasforced the Panthers’Philly Brownto fumble a punt thatRobert Goldenrecovered in the end zone.
The Steelers wrapped up the scoring barrage when Blount blasted into the end zone at 5:46 in the fourth quarter from eight yards out to complete an eight-play, 98-yard drive.
While Panthers quarterbackCam Newtonwas sacked three times, he completed 24 of 35 for 250 yards and one touchdown.
First-round draft pick, wide receiverKelvin Benjaminhad eight receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown while tight endGreg Olsencollected seven passes for 69 yards and one touchdown. PlacekickerGraham Ganowent 2 for 2 in field goal attempts
Pittsburgh continued to collect flags from the officials as they had 11 penalties for 91 yards while Carolina was whistled seven times for 105 yards on the night.
The victory was costly as the Black and Gold defense saw players dropping as the evening wore on. Rookie inside linebackerRyan Shazierleft early in the third quarter with a knee injury.
Outside linebackerJarvis Joneswent out with a wrist injury. Then, the team saw veteran cornerbackIke Taylorleave the contest with just under 10 minutes left in the third quarter with a right forearm injury.
The Steelers (2-1) return to Heinz Field as they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3) on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m.