This is the Steelers team we were hoping to see last Thursday night against the Patriots. The Steelers were explosive and aggressive on both sides of the ball. The Steelers offense made it look to easy at times while the defense made plays we’ve been waiting to see for years.
There are a few things we know for certain after two games played this season for the Steelers.
- Antonio Brown is not human. He can do things that defy explanation.
- This offense can be even scarier. We haven’t seen Le’Veon Bell or Martavis Bryant on the field yet.
- DeAngelo Williams is so more than a backup running back
- Ben Roethlisberger has full control over this offense and it’s a beautiful thing
- This defense can play with the aggressiveness and intensity in spite of lacking talent in some areas
- We’re going to need to go for two a lot. My god Josh Scobee
The Steelers first scoring play of the day was a result of a two-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Heath Miller. The two-point conversion attempt was all too easy with Antonio Brown receiving man coverage. Their first offensive drive included 8 plays for 83 yards and took just 3:19.
After another scoring possession taking seven plays and 80 yards resulting in a 2-yard rushing touchdown for one of DeAngelo Williams’ three touchdowns of the day and another easy two-point conversion from Ben Roethlisberger to Heath Miller the Steelers went even harder.
On their next possession, Ben Roethlisberger needed just one play to connect with Darrius Heyward-Bey for a 35-yard touchdown. Josh Scobee’s extra point attempt doinked off of the goal post and did not go in. Could it be time to start looking for a kicker?
To be fair to Scobee, he did connect on the next three extra point attempts, so there’s that.
On defense the Steelers came out swinging and didn’t let up. Inside linebacker Ryan Shazier was an absolute beast on the field racking up fourteen tackles, a sack, and three forced fumbles. The Steelers defense accounted for five sacks total and two forced fumbles.
The 49ers offense didn’t see the end-zone until the fourth quarter when they had back-to-back scoring drives.
The Steelers responded with a touchdown drive of their own immediately following San Francisco’s last scoring drive with a 5-play, 80 yard scoring drive taking just under 2:00 culminating in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Brown.
Here are some tweets to best describe the day the Steelers had in their home opener against the 49ers.
With that catch, @AntonioBrown84 tied Kellen Winslow Sr. for third-fewest games to reach 400 receptions (72). pic.twitter.com/EJaCB5ITxZ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 20, 2015
TOUCHDOWN STEELERS!
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 20, 2015
Big Ben to Heath Miller for the 2 yard score. 2 point conversion good. PIT leads SF 8-0 pic.twitter.com/aJxNV0rYzN
Hope you enjoyed your stay in @steelers country Josh Scobee, cuz it's coming to an end
— trey wingo (@wingoz) September 20, 2015
.@_BigBen7 and the offense head back onto the field. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/ToPtI8AliP
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 20, 2015
.@DeAngeloRB tied the franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a game with his third. #HereWeGo
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 20, 2015
What can Antonio Brown do for you?
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2015
Make a 59-yard catch while putting a spin move on the entire SF defense. #SFvsPIT http://t.co/38r0jt1NWd
Mike Vick at QB now. Ben 21 of 27 for 369 yards, 3 touchdowns
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 20, 2015
FINAL SCORE:
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 20, 2015
YOUR @steelers 43, San Francisco 18.#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/M3SPXwDCZV
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