Steelers defense dominates Rams passing attack in Madden simulation
Pickett Sparks the Offense Through the Air To Close the Game
Rams start the second half after their best drive ran out of time. A solid return started the drive at the 30, and Evans got his best run, a 6-yarder on the first play from scrimmage in the half. After a first down pass found Higbee, Stafford stood in and fired one to Kupp for a chunk first down to get into Steelers territory.
The duo followed up to get into the redzone on the next play on a corner route to get down to the 12. TJ Watt had enough and got in for the sack. Two plays later, Keanu Benton finished the drive off with a sack of his own. Brett Maher sunk a 33-yard field goal to get the Rams on the board, 7-3.
The Rams drive ate up nearly five minutes off the 6-minute clock, so after two plays, the third quarter ends with the Steelers in front.
Needing a few first downs to bleed this one out, Pickett found Freiermuth on the sideline for the first one to get the clock rolling. Two plays later Muth got another one over the middle for 19 yards. The Steelers had struggled to run the ball, but Harris got going a bit better on this drive, getting seven yards on the next play. Play action on second and three, Pickett hit Pickens for 25 yards down to the 6. With receivers covered on the next play, Pickett scrambled up the middle to cross the plane and put another touchdown on the board, giving the Steelers a 14-3 lead with just 2:50 on the game clock.
The Rams put the ball in the air four straight times, completing only one for four yards. Stafford and the Rams struggled all game to get the passing game going and it hurt them mightily in the end.
The Rams still had their timeouts and the two-minute warning and stiffened up against Harris on the first two plays of the drive. So on third and nine, Pickett was pressured by Donald and threw it away. Boswell hit his field goal attempt this time, though, from 45 to extend the lead once more, 17-3.
Pittsburgh is full speed ahead as Watt and Highsmith combine for a sack, stripping Stafford of the football. A Rams lineman landed on it to keep possession, but time was running out for LA. On fourth and 19 though, Minkah Fitzpatrick was called for pass interference on a deep shot to Cooper Kupp. On the next play, Nacua got his first catch for eight yards with 50 seconds to go. One more play and Holcomb snags the pass out of the air to ice the game.
Steelers win 17-3.