The Steelers mainly dominated the day against the Seahawks but some key mistakes made it way more difficult than it needed to be.
Turnovers hung over the Steelers head in this game like a dark cloud, almost negating every good drive as the Seahawks capitalized on all three of the Steelers interceptions. The first interception came on a trick play called as the first quarter was winding down. The Steelers lined up for a 45-yard field goal attempt to go up 6-0 to start the second quarter.
Instead of punter Jordan Berry holding for kicker Chris Boswell, backup quarterback Landry Jones was in and Seattle immediately picked up on the potential for a trick play. The ball was snapped to Jones and he attempted to complete a pass to left tackle Alejandro Villanueva which was intercepted by Jeremy Lane.
Seattle would go on to score a touchdown on the ensuing possession. The Steelers would try another trick play shortly after that with an end around featuring a handoff from Ben Roethlisberger to DeAngelo Williams who then handed it off to Martavis Bryant who ran it in for an 11-yard touchdown.
The matchup everyone had anticipated coming into this game with Antonio Brown going up against Richard Sherman ended in Sherman’s favor, but not necessarily Seattle’s favor. Markus Wheaton had a monster game with 201 receiving yards on 9 receptions and 1 touchdown, a 69-yard bomb from Roethlisberger.
Ben Roethlisberger, aside from the two interceptions, had a monster day himself going 36-for-55 for 456 yards. Roethlisberger headed to the locker room with just less than two minutes left in the game and Landry Jones took over under center.
Roethlisberger unfortunately threw two costly interceptions, one to Seattle defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin on a pass that looked like he intended to pump fake and the ball came out unexpectedly. Seattle would score a touchdown two plays later.
The next Roethlisberger interception was rather controversial in that Richard Sherman had clearly and obviously pushed off Antonio Brown to the point where he knocked Brown down and was wide open to grab Ben Roethlisberger’s pass intended for Brown. There was no DPI call on the play and Seattle would score a touchdown four plays later.
There will be a lot of talk about the insanely failed trick play and decision to kick a field goal down by 5 with 3:00 left in the game but the reality is that two atrocious turnovers that led to Seattle touchdowns was the difference in this game.
The Steelers lost both tight end Heath Miller and linebacker Ryan Shazier to injuries during the game. Miller was taken out with a rib injury and Shazier suffered a concussion.
Antwon Blake is the goat of the game with two special teams penalties and allowing the game-clinching touchdown by Seattle late in the fourth quarter.
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The Steelers just couldn’t overcome the mistakes they made today and couldn’t come out with the victory. The Seahawks take it 39-30.
The Steelers fall to 6-5 and will face the 6-5 Indianapolis Colts at home next week for Sunday night football.