The Steelers got a win on the scoreboard, but almost got hit with a huge loss on offense.
Ben Roethlisberger went to the locker room with an injured leg in the second quarter, but returned in the third quarter as the Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 14-3 at Heinz Field.
“I thought my leg was broke, honestly,” said Roethlisberger. “It was one of the most painful things that I have ever felt. I asked doc if he thought it was broke and he said let’s go and get an X-ray, but thankfully it wasn’t.”
Roethlisberger was hobbling but played the entire second half and ended up throwing the game clinching 79-yard touchdown to Antonio Brown with 2:52 left in the game.
“He gave me a great back shoulder throw and allowed the DB to fall down,” said Brown. “I did a great job and I was just thankful that Ben put a great throw where no one but me could have gotten to the ball.”
The Steelers drove the ball successfully in the first half, but fumbled twice, Hines Ward and Heath Miller, inside the red zone.
“The whole night we were moving the ball, we just kept shooting ourselves in the foot. That was the frustrating part,” said Miller. “But fortunately our defense kept us in the game, Antonio made a great play at the end and we got the win.”
The defense gave up three points on the Browns first drive of the game, but shut down the Cleveland offense, lead by QB Colt McCoy, for the rest of the game.
“The first drive, they go down and get three points and then they don’t get any more after that,” said DE Brett Keisel. “That’s big. If you can hold an NFL team to three points, you’re giving yourselves a good chance to win.”
Midway through the 4th quarter, James Harrison leveled McCoy after completing a pass and was flagged for a helmet-to-helmet blow to the head.
“From what I understand, once the quarterback leaves the pocket, he is considered a runner and you can tackle him just as if he is a running back,” said Harrison. “The hit wasn’t late and I don’t understand why it was called. We will see what transpires later in the week.”
With the win, the Steelers improved to 10-3 on the season.
Notes: The Steelers improved to 6-1 at home this season… The Steelers outgained the Browns 416-304… Left guard Chris Kemoeatu was flagged for two holding calls and a hands to the face call (three penalties for 30 yards)… Pittsburgh natives Rusted Root played at halftime and led off with their hit single “Send Me On My Way”
Image Source – (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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