Pittsburgh Steelers Week 8 Winners and Losers
By Levi Combs
The Pittsburgh Steelers were an absolute thing of beauty Sunday evening taking down potentially the best team in the NFL right now. They played like the team we thought they would be at the beginning of the season. The offense was on a different level than we have ever seen it. Even though the defense gave up 34 points, they still consistently applied pressure all night against the Colts offensive line and Andrew Luck. There were many winners for the Steelers yesterday evening, but we will take a look at the ones who came up big.
Winners
Ben Roethlisberger
Well of course we have to start with Roethlisberger, who became the only QB in NFL history to throw for multiple 500+ yard games. It seemed like no matter the situation, Roethlisberger would come up and bullet the ball into one of his receivers. Every one of his throws were thrown on a dime. Roethlisberger’s stats for Sunday were 40-49, 522 yards and 6 TD. Can’t get much better than that.
Offensive Line
The offensive line looked incredible against the Colts, not allowing a single sack. It seemed like Roethlisberger had all the time in the world to throw because the pass blocking was so good. With the absence of Marcus Gilbert, Mike Adams stepped up in a big way and is becoming a very reliable 2nd string tackle. The offensive line came up big against a good Colts front 7.
Oct 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) catches a touchdown pass behind Indianapolis Colts free safety Josh Gordy (27) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 51-34. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant
Antonio Brown is making his weekly trip to the winners list, again making very Antonio Brown like plays. He caught 10 passes for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns. It’s the rookie, however, who caught the attention of Steeler Nation, hauling in 2 touchdown passes as well in just his second career start. Yes, he had a drop, but his impact was far greater to keep him off the winners list. It’s looking like Bryant is becoming the receiver the Steelers had imagined when they drafted him. He caught both touchdowns in the red zone and brought that big receiver play style catching a bomb from Roethlisberger.
Pass Rush
The pass rush was as good as it has been the last 3 seasons for the Steelers Sunday. Every single play Luck had pressure in his face and was knocked down. It came from all over the place, Cameron Hayward, Jason Worlds, James Harrison, Brett Keisel, Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier all took turns applying pressure on Luck and destroying the Colt’s offensive line.
Losers
Cortez Allen
Cortez was again benched for Antwon Blake, who immediately made his presence felt with an interception against T.Y. Hilton, who embarrassed Allen throughout the game. It really only can get better Allen at this point, as it seems like he has hit rock bottom.
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Martavis Bryant has more receiving yard and touchdowns than Hayward-Bey in 2 games this season than Heyward-Bey has all season. He fumbled the ball to let the Colts back into the game after trying to do to much and like I said, is letting him fall in the depth chart. He may be looking for his 4th team in the NFL once the season ends.
LeGarrette Blount
Blount had very little impact against the Colts and also fumbled the ball deep in Colts territory.
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