Steelers beat Browns, get #2 seed
The Steelers did what they had to do. What more can we ask of them?
The team was guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. But they needed more than that. They needed to beat the Cleveland Browns in order to lock up the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs, and a first round bye. So beat the Browns they did.
The Steelers jumped on them from the opening bell. On the second play of the game, Troy Polamalu intercepted a Colt McCoy pass. One play later, Ben Roethlisberger threw a 56 yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace. 7-0 Steelers.
The Steelers went on to score touchdowns on their first four offensive possessions. They added a field goal on their 5th possession and ended the first half leading 31-3.
After an equally dominant second half, the Steelers locked up a 41-9 win, and the AFC North crown.
While we’re all happy to have a much needed bye, we have to remember that this is just the beginning. Now comes the hard part.
The Steelers will play their first playoff game on Saturday January 15th at 4:30PM EST. They’ll face either Indianapolis, Kansas City, or Baltimore.
The Steelers can definitely use the week off. They’ve been banged up for a while, and the bye week will give them a chance to get healthy. Center Maurkice Pouncey suffered a neck stinger during the game, and can use the extra week to heal. Troy Polamalu is still not completely healed from his injury, and he can also use the extra time. The Steelers didn’t put Aaron Smith on injured reserve when he got hurt earlier in the year because they hoped that he’d be able to come back for the playoffs. The extra week off will give Smith more time to make a potential comeback as well.
Other team notes:
- Troy Polamalu’s seventh interception of the season tied a career high.
- The Steelers’ defense ended the season allowing an average of only 62.8 rushing yards per game. That’s a new team record.
- Wide receiver Mike Wallace had 105 receiving yards. This was his seventh 100-yard receiving game this season. That ties the single-season Steelers’ record that was set by John Stallworth in 1984.
(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment by clicking on the square at the top right of this article. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. You can also follow us on Twitter by clicking the bird doohicky below. Also consider following us on Facebook. Thanks.)
I could not have said it better, and for all the good info you give us I thank you. I love the Steelers and I will believe in them all the way and love them no matter what.
1This game was outright devastation. The Steelers have the ability to beat any other team, as long as they don’t let teams hang around. Mike Wallace will be asking for a raise soon. He deserves it.
2Donald, you may want to enshrine this post because you will never see one like it again from me probably.
This game was in my opinion the best offensively called game I’ve seen from the Steelers in a long time, if not decades. And I say this NOT because of the points we scored (after all it was the browns), not because we scored touchdowns on first 4 possesions, not because Mendy ran for a hundred yards (certainly not that!). I say this because of the best balance of run/pass play calling from BA ever! There were long passes, short dump offs, quick slants, bubble screens and even a trick play for randle el.
Would I have liked to see Mendy rush for 100+? Absolutely! But he had his chances. It is just that the passing game was more crisp and effective. BA was not nearly as predictable as usual. When you call a game like that you can realize the talent we have on offense and how dangerous they really can be. (again, I know it was the browns).
Now to the defense. The Browns did what I would do against the steelers….pass, pass, and pass some more. spread it out, etc…. They tried it, but it didn’t work for them (again, they are the browns). Eventually the game plan for them got swamped under quickly when they found themselves in such a hole and then no gameplan was going to work.
Special Teams: Not so special. Only thing to say for them is that stupid little squib mess kept cribbs from answering each of our TDs with one of his own each time. Our opposition cannot keep having such avg starting positions and we win it all. We avg less than a yard on punt returns it seems.
Misc.: Leftwich looked like a circus clown! Much rather have Batch in number two! Tomlin should be reemed for not taking Pouncy out sooner. He had already got gimped up on a previous play.
I hope our guys know it was just the browns too!
Bring on Peyton baby! time for him to get dirty
My prediction: The steelers will not lose this week
3Tony,
As you said, it was only the Browns.
What I’d love to see is that type of offensive barrage against the Patriots. I’d also love to go into the playoffs feeling like a quick-strike passing game like the Patriots won’t work against our defense. But I still have no evidence to make me feel confident of that.
Even though we have other opponents to get through before we face the Pats, you can probably tell that they’re the team that is on my mind.
And by the way, I agree with you. The Steelers will not lose this week.
4We know the star players are going to step up. What I noticed is the improvement in some of the less heralded guys. Scott at left tackle is now playing well.
I thought I’d never say this but William Gay is making plays out there. Anthony Madison seems to do something good every time he gets an opportunity. Dwyer looked like a player when he got the ball.
I have to say I love Doug Legursky in there as a blocking back. That’s the kind of innovation that will get it done. These guys are peaking at the right time. There is no reason they can’t win the whole thing.
I always go with best QBs in the playoffs so I think Manning comes to Pittsburgh first. Flacco goes to meet Brady where they get beat. We go to New England and declare WAR. After three hours Hoodie signs an unconditional surrender. The Steeler flag is planted in the Bost on Common; while the Goths and Vandals of the Confluence ransack the city of Boston.
Fresh off their victory the Steeler Nation declares war on the city of Atlanta or Filthadelfia. They march west until they smell it, Then head south until they step in it; arriving at Jerry’s Shrine where an epic battle against some type of Bird of Prey taks place.
I have a vision of rumpled feathers at the feet of Steel Warriors. So ends my vision.
5Jeff: that sounded like one of Donald’s purple dragon stories. Except Santonio of the Smoky Weed has been replace with Wallace of the lightning speed!
Yes, Wallace has quickly become one of my favorites. Who can blame me?
6Dan: It is true that Pittsburgh math teachers now instruct an addition amendment; that being 7+17= 6
Pittsburgh math is a beautiful thing.
7Wow, Jeff! I like that! 7+17=6. Mind if I use that one?
8As long as you call it enlightened education
9All I know is that my future children will be going to a Pittsburgh school, if that’s the case.
10