Pittsburgh Steelers Finally Unleashed Their Offensive Weapons In Win Over Colts

Many people correctly projected a 5-3 start for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but wins over the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans and losses to the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Sure…we called that too.

We also predicted Ben Roethlisberger’s 100th game would be record-breaking — that he would become the only NFL quarterback to ever throw for over 500 yard twice in his career, and set Steelers franchise records for yards and touchdowns (522 yards and six scores).

No, most doubted the Steelers offense would even score two TDs against a Colts defense who shut out the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7.  Completing 40 of 49 passes, Roethlisberger totally tore apart Chuck Pagano’s defense.

After all, this is an offense that has toiled for weeks not even knowing where the end zone is. In Week 8, they practically lived there.

Four Steelers receivers scored touchdowns: Martavis Bryant (2), Antonio Brown (2), Markus Wheaton and Heath Miller. Cornerback William Gay also got into the scoring action by taking an interception to the house.

But back to that offensive explosion…even though Roethlisberger would not admit it, the Steelers left very few plays out on the field. It wasn’t a perfect game but there were individuals who were.

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Brown’s elite shiftiness and hands stunned the Colts for 133 yards, including those touchdowns – and one being of the amazing one-armed variety. He is the best receiver in the game at reading a defense. He and Ben have the passing game locked and loaded, always finding a way to get open and help the team. Brown is relied on as much as the running backs Le’veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount to kill the clock.

The Colts had no answer for Bell. He ran for 92 yards, and was 6 for 56 yards in the receiving game plus another TD. His elusiveness and strength scares defenses in the open field. Both backs were tough to bring down. They actually look bigger in the Bumblebee Uniforms—reminding me of the enormous honey hive Casey Hampton displayed in his throwback days.

Blount had a silly goal-line fumble that was fortunately absorbed by a safety on Andrew Luck two plays later. Both Blount and Darrius Heyward-Bey had good plays nullified by not knowing when to fold ‘em and just stay down. Their fumbles were the only Steelers turnovers of the night.

Five guys who did earn game balls for perfection were on the Steelers offensive line. Mike Adams, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster and Kelvin Beachum were incredible. They did not allow a sack and Ben was hit just once. Adams, playing in his first start since 2013, clamped down on the Colts top pass rusher Bjorn Werner. Roethlisberger had enough time to practically eat popcorn watching aimless shoelace swipes by the befallen Colts defensive line.

The O-line’s dominance allowed Ben to confidently stand in the pocket and distribute the ball. The Steelers nearly doubled the Colts time of possession. The coaches then trusted the line enough to go for the late “kill” with the Miller touchdown on fourth and inches.

Offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s game-plan design to give Ben all his weapons worked once again. Guaranteed the Ravens are seeing these highlights and wondering who these Steelers are.

So are the rest of us.