The Steelers have made it halfway through the 2020 season undefeated.
It’s never easy, is it? The now 8-0 Steelers were made to sweat on Sunday by the 2-6 Dallas Cowboys, but are returning to Heinz Field with a perfect record.
The Cowboys led 19-9 at the end of the third quarter, and Steelers fans got that familiar feeling in the pits of their stomachs that this was going to be another embarrassing loss to an inferior opponent on national television. Phrases like “heart attack game” and “playing down” abounded.
The faithful could breathe again after Ben Roethlisberger found Juju Smith-Schuster and Eric Ebron for touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Chris Boswell contributed a field goal, having previously had an extra point blocked and missing another, to seal the 24-19 victory.
For a day or two, there wasn’t much to worry about. But then:
Steelers placed QB Ben Roethlisberger, OL Jerald Hawkins, RB Jaylen Samuels, and LB Vince Williams on the Reserve/COVID-19 List.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2020
The team hopes to have Roethlisberger back for Sunday’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, but for now, he is barred from the Steelers’ facility:
Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger was deemed a high-risk, close contact, per source. Provided he passes COVID tests this week, he would be eligible to come off the list Saturday and play Sunday against the Bengals.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2020
Roethlisberger appears to have tested negative once.
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Around the division, the Bengals; this Sunday’s opponent, and the Cleveland Browns were on bye weeks. The only other AFC North team in action Week 9 was the Baltimore Ravens, who beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-10. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was accurate, going 19 of 23 for 170 yards and again contributing on the ground (13 carries, 58 yards, and a touchdown).
"The Baltimore Ravens were 40-grit sandpaper today. For the first time this season, the Ravens took a punch square to the jaw and answered back with their own jabs and haymakers. In the end, Baltimore beat the Indianapolis Colts, 24-10, to head to 6-2 on the 2020 season. As the Ravens lick their newest wounds and look to the future, they deserve to bask in the glory for just a little bit before getting back to work."
These words sound confident, but not triumphant. They sound like they were written about a second-place team, which they were. The Ravens (at New England this Sunday) look at the Steelers from the front passenger seat. Behind them are the 5-3 Cleveland Browns (home to the Houston Texans) in third, and the Bengals are still bringing up the rear at 2-5-1.