First off, I need to thank co-writer Jason Brichta for covering last weeks winners and losers list, but what a week for me to return to! Awesome showing by the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday afternoon, and I got the pleasure to attend the game in Cincinnati. What started off pretty slow, both the Steelers offense and defense came up big after a strong second half performance, and a dominant 4th quarter. Here’s your week 14 Pittsburgh Steelers winners and losers.
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Winners
Le’Veon Bell
After reading it today, Le’Veon Bell really is an MVP candidate. How can he not be? Sunday afternoon may be his best complete game as a professional, very hard to believe considering the season he has had. Bell finished with 185 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. He also added another 50 yards through the air and a receiving touchdown. The scary thing is, it seems like Bell is getting better after each game. He really is proving to be a November/December back, and is coming up big in the 4th quarter.
Ben Roethlisberger
What started with a very slow start for Roethlisberger, Ben ended up with 350 yards and 3 touchdowns. One of those being an absolute beauty, a 94 yard bomb to Martavis Bryant that was dropped in his hands. If the Steelers weren’t so inconsistent, Ben would also be a serious MVP candidate. Another very solid day for Ben.
Antwon Blake
What an underrated player. I have watched Blake very closely the entire season after him having several good games at the beginning of the season, and he really is a solid cornerback. He was the only one Sunday afternoon that could stop AJ Green, something both Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu failed to do. He almost intercepted an Andy Dalton bomb to AJ Green after having perfect coverage, but both he and Mike Mitchell failed to hang on to the ball. Right now, William Gay and Antwon Blake are the best corners the Steelers got. Too bad they are 2nd and 4th on the depth chart. Blake certainly deserves more playing time.
Cameron Heyward
Heyward isn’t having the breakout season many predicted him to have, but he is having himself a pretty decent season. He added to his sack total with a sack on Andy Dalton and 4 more tackles.
Arthur Moats
Moats really shined while playing for James Harrison and splitting time with Jarvis Jones. Moats had 2 sacks and a forced fumble. Moats is really becoming a valuable backup.
David DeCastro
Decastro is quickly showing the potential he had coming out of Stanford, and will soon be considered one of the best guards in the league. He already is in the top 5 for pro bowl voting for guards. Sunday afternoon just reassured his status. Todd Haley pulled him all day long and it worked to perfection. Dominating game by Decastro.
Losers
Ike Taylor/Troy Polamalu
Give them credit, AJ Green is one of the best receivers in the game. However, he looked like Jerry Rice on Sunday afternoon. Neither Taylor or Polamalu had a chance at covering him, and Taylor eventually was replaced (injured?) by Antwon Blake who did a very good job against Green. Taylor is certainly having his struggles since returning.