The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) were set to host the Green Bay Packers (3-5) on Sunday, as it was the last of their three-game home stand. Even with being ranked in the bottom five in just about every offensive category and getting outgained in every game they have played, the Steelers have somehow managed to stick around just long enough, and come up clutch when it matters most.
The game started off fast as the Steelers were able to score on the first drive for the second week in a row, after failing to accomplish this earlier in the season. Najee Harris managed to find the endzone for the third time this season, doing so on a 4-yard run to cap off the first drive of the game.
Green Bay, however, was quick to answer, as they managed to bounce back with a 10-play, 70 yard drive to get a touchdown of their own on an 8-yard pass from quarterback Jordan Love to wide receiver Romeo Doubs.
The first half proved to be the most exciting time of the game, as the Steelers were able to put together yet another touchdown drive, as they started the second quarter with an explosive 16-yard touchdown run by Jaylen Warren. Jaylen was announced as a co-starter for the first time in his career following last week’s performance, where he had 11 rushes for 88 yards, breaking runs when it mattered most. He continued his success throughout this game, and proved it early by finding the endzone.
Throughout the game, quarterback Kenny Pickett seemed to struggle to truly get going. He was missing routine throws, bailing out of the pocket too quickly, and did not look confident at all. The game plan for this Steelers team right now is to limit turnovers, play sound football, play Renegade early in the fourth and stick around until they find a way to win. Relying on Pickett no longer seemed like an option.
After a few completed field goals, going into halftime, the score was 17-13 in favor of the Steelers. The running back duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren were proving to have another big game, as they were carrying the offense throughout the first half. The presence of Broderick Jones on the offensive line has been a huge impact to the running game, and the Steelers look to keep it rolling with him going forward.
After more exchanging of field goals in the third quarter, the Steelers fell behind 19-17, but regained the lead on a field goal going into the fourth quarter. The defense for the Steelers proved strong once again, as they forced Green Bay to two punts early in the quarter, giving the offense the best chance possible to score without forcing a turnover.
Pittsburgh managed to drive the ball all the way down to the 17-yard line but were stuffed on a 3rd and 2, and had to settle for a field goal to make it a 4-point game, 23-19. Once again, the fate of the game rested in the hands of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and the rest of the Steelers’ defense.
After Green Bay found a way to move the ball down the field quickly, Jordan Love forced a throw to Christian Watson in the endzone, but the ball was tipped by veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson, and intercepted by former pro-bowler Keanu Neal, giving the ball back to the Steelers with just over three minutes left in the game.
The Steelers needed at least one first down to run out the clock and secure the victory. After two short runs by Najee Harris, Pittsburgh was faced with a 3rd and 6 at their own 28-yard line. Kenny Pickett dropped back to pass, couldn’t find anyone open, and took it upon himself to scramble for the first down, which he did. One of his bigger plays of this year so far, Pickett made it seem all but over.
After two more run plays that only accumulated for 1 yard, the two-minute warning hit and Green Bay had no timeouts left. A first down would end the game. Pickett dropped back and fired a bullet across the middle to George Pickens, who was left in no man’s land, and gained 28 yards in the process. Although, there was a flag on the play, as Calvin Austin seemed to have run into the defender that was guarding Pickens, and he was called for Offensive Pass Interference, which canceled the play and made it 3rd and 19.
Pittsburgh took the conservative route and ran the ball on 3rd down to ensure the clock would continue to run, seeing as though the Packers were out of timeouts. A good punt by Pressley Harvin put Green Bay inside their own 20-yard line with under a minute left, and no timeouts.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Steelers’ game without a little bit of late game stress. The first play of the drive was a completion from Jordan Love to Jayden Reed for 46 yards, getting all the way to the Steelers’ 35-yard line. The Packers needed to score a touchdown, as they were down by four and a field goal would not help them at all.
A few plays later, with only three seconds on the clock, Jordan Love called hut in what would be the last play of the game, and let it rip to the endzone in an attempt to win the game, but the pass was intercepted once again, this time by Damonte Kazee for the win. Love finished the game 21/40 (52%), 289 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, both coming in the fourth quarter.
On the other side of the field, Jaylen Warren recorded his first 100-yard game of his career, as he had 15 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. Najee Harris also had 16 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown of his own, as the running back duo shined in a big way once again. Kenny Pickett ended the game 14/23 (61%), and 126 yards. He currently has the longest streak in the league without an interception, but fans still seem skeptical as he has not had any breakout performances yet this year. The jump from year one to year two has not been very noticeable, and fans are growing impatient, even with the team somehow winning games.
The Steelers (6-3) will travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns (6-3) next Sunday. The Browns are without their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on Thursday. A win by the Steelers and a loss by Baltimore and Jacksonville could put the Steelers in first place in the AFC.
Green Bay (3-6) will play host to the Chargers (4-5) next week at Lambeau Field.
