MMQB: Steelers beat Bills 23-16, after being shutout in first half!
The Pittsburgh Steelers fought hard, stayed tough, and were resilient. That was just enough to defeat the Buffalo Bills as the Steelers won 23-16. In a game where the first half witnessed a defensive struggle, it was the Steelers who slowly pulled away in the second half.
In the 2nd-quarter with 0:22 remaining in the first half, Bills QB Josh Allen found WR Gabriel Davis in the back of the end zone for a 3-yard TD. The culprit in the play was CB Cam Sutton. That scoring drive gave the Bills a 10-point lead heading into halftime. But that two-possession lead wasn’t enough.
Steelers offense: Tale of two halves
Steelers held to 7 rushing yards, 2nd half sees steady spike to 68 yards
The Steelers offense was awful during the first 30 minutes. Pittsburgh was held to a paltry seven rushing yards in first-half play. Rookie RB Najee Harris saw no rushing lanes to pull from while the inexperienced offensive line was outmatched physically.
Something I predicted in my 4th and Goal in-depth analysis (pre-game) piece, it was no surprise the Steelers became somewhat one dimensional in the second half.
However, I also predicted that Harris would record at least 15 carries in our prop bets and he did just that--16 carries for 45 rushing yards (2.8 avg.). If you made that play and rolled with BEAST, you won!!!!
QB Ben Roethlisberger passing attack
After recording 58 passing yards via first-half play, Roethlisberger started to generate some rhythm with his receiving core. The offensive line settled down and receivers were gaining separation at the top of their route--thus creating downfield opportunities. Roethlisberger finished the game completing 18 of 32 for 188 passing yards (5.9 avg.) and 1 TD.
Below were some of the big plays during second-half play:
3rd: 1st & 10 at BUF 34
WR Chase Claypool made acrobatic 22-yard 50-50 catch along right sideline
My No. 4 rated CB in NFL CB Tre’Davious White was in tight coverage
Claypool attacked the ball at the highest catch-point while remaining inbounds
3rd: 1st & 10 at BUF 29
Rookie TE Pat Freiermuth found real estate down seam for a 24-yard catch
4th: 1st & Goal at BUF 5
WR Diontae Johnson made an acrobatic 5-yard TD catch vs CB Levi Wallace in the back of the end zone
4th: 2nd & 7 at PIT 33
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster delivers with a 24-yard catch
4th: 3rd & 8 at BUF 41
WR Chase Claypool makes a 14-yard catch
X-Factor WR Chase Claypool
After being shutout in the first half, Steelers new OC Matt Canada made the halftime adjustments. That’s what good coaches do. The beneficiary was Claypool. He had three touches for 56 scrimmage yards on the first two drives of the second half.
2 catches for 31 receiving yards (22+9)
1 carry for 25-yards (end-around)
Those opportunities became a theme in the second half with Claypool also making a crucial 14-yard catch resulting in a first down in the fourth.
The positive play forced the Bills to use their last two remaining timeouts while Pittsburgh chewed up an additional 0:14 off the clock before Steelers K Chris Boswell connected on a 45-yard field goal--extending the lead 23-13.
This is what I call a game-breaker. Claypool finished the game with 3 catches for 45 receiving yards (15.0 avg.) and 1 rush for 25 yards for a total output of four touches for 70 scrimmage yards.
I love Claypool and believe he should be the team’s WR1, he certainly has the talent.
OLB T.J. Watt was OLB T.J. Watt
Steelers OLB T.J. Watt continued to garner the headlines and deservedly so. The two-time All-Pro was no doubt in my mind conditioned for the NFL game. Yinzers were questioning if Watt’s lingering contract situation would hold back from his on-field performance. After all, he wasn’t practicing for the majority of the team’s offseason program.
The highest-paid NFL defensive player in terms of APY ($28M) finished his season debut with a team-high 2.0 sacks. I will release the full spectrum of his stat line after getting the All-22 Coaches film.
But on the surface, overall, a nice complete game from Watt as he created havoc for Allen. Just another day at the office for him.
Play of the Game | 4th & 12 at BUF 23
The Steelers up 13-10 with 9:45 left in the 4th quarter, the Steelers did something special on special teams.
Special teams ace Miles Killebrew came crashing through the middle and blocked Bills P Matt Haack’s punt, allowing LB Ulysees Gilbert III to scoop up and score the untouched 9-yard TD.
The game-changing play allowed the Steelers to go up two possessions 20-10 while the defense held down the fort. After being outscored 0-10 in first-half play, the Steelers delivered the final blow by unleashing 17 unanswered points on the reigning AFC East defending champs.
A great game all the way around from all three phases, as the Steelers won 23-16. With the Steelers squeaking out an upset road win, they will now face the Las Vegas Raiders at home. Here WE Go!!!!
Injured Reserve (IR)
QB Joshua Dobbs
DE Stephon Tuitt (mental health/overweight/knee injury)
OT Zach Banner (ACL)
RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (undisclosed)
2021 Steelers | BEAST receipts
0-1 ATS (+6.5)
1-0 o/u (under 48)
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