Steelers: Michael Vick steps up when it counts

Following the disastrous loss on Thursday Night Football against the Ravens in Week 4, the Steelers headed to sunny San Diego for a pivotal AFC matchup against a team with a hot quarterback receiving his favorite target back from suspension, and the two took no time at all to greet each other, and got straight to work.

Watching San Diego’s first drive, it seemed almost every throw was to Antonio Gates, and watching him score his 100th career touchdown almost immediately was a sore sight to Steeler fans.

Pittsburgh’s offense as a whole was downright terrible. Many had hoped that the extra preparation would pay off, but Vick simply could not get anything going, and the Vick to Brown connection was still completely nonexistent. It wasn’t until a pick 6 by Antwon Blake in the 3rd quarter that the Steelers even found the end zone.

Not everything on the offense was disappointing though. Running back Le’Veon Bell had a day to remember. While it was definitely interesting and highly questionable that the Steelers came out in “Wildcat” formation multiple times, the overall run game was unstoppable.

Bell showed off his beautiful cuts, acceleration, and everything about him that has made him one of the best running backs in the league. It was only fit that he charged his way into the end zone to win the game. Truly an exceptional performance from the young back.

But, while analysts and football fans will surely give him most of the credit, as he should receive, it’s hard to ignore the true clutch and effort put into the game winning drive by Michael Vick.

Despite his struggles throughout the game, he stepped up when it mattered, and proved that the Steelers could win games without their star quarterback, instilling hope in Pittsburgh faithful that this season may not be lost.

Three plays by Vick truly showed his capabilities and potential in a Pittsburgh offense that will only continue to grow.

The first was Vick’s beautiful throw to Darrius Heyward-Bey. Scrambling out of the pocket, it seemed as though he was going to throw it away, as he often does, but instead, while being hit, Vick tossed a gorgeous pass to Heyward-Bey that landed right in his hands, and a lot of credit has to go to Darrius for completing the catch while being hit from under him.

The second play was Vick’s 24 yard scramble that put them into field goal range. With under a minute left to go in a game, running is not always something coaches like to see, but this was something more coaches would probably want to see out of their quarterback.

Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller (83) catches a pass in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

Some have compared this scamper to something Ben would do, and while it’s astounding to see Vick compared to Ben, this wasn’t Roesthlisberger at all, it was Michael Vick being Michael Vick. At 35 years old, the veteran proved that he still has wheels.

Finally, Vick threw an absolute dime pass to Heath Miller placing them on the 1-yard line. The pass simply could not have been any better. It was between defenders, and somehow hit Heath Miller right where it needed to be, allowing him to pound his way to the 1-yard line, eventually leading to the game winning score.

While Vick will be picked apart as a player who is a turnover machine, is too old to make a difference, and someone who isn’t going to be able to lift the Steelers to where they need to be, he proved that he can make a difference, and that he can make the plays when he needs to.

Without Vick’s performance on the last drive, the Steelers would not have won the game.

Hopefully he’s got a little more magic in him for next week’s game against Arizona, and however many games he needs to play before Ben can return. Keep holding down the fort, Mikey!

Next: Steelers vs Cardinals: Tomlin Tuesday

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