Most complete game for Steelers this season?
First Half
Not probably, clearly if you ask me, the best first half of Steelers football we've watched all year long.
After a couple of 3 and outs to start the game the offense got rolling and rattled off 21 points through the midway part of the 2nd quarter. With Mendenhall's 2 TD's and Wallace's nifty footwork in the endzone the offense looked like you'd expect them to look against the Bengals. Make no mistake though this isn't your old Bengals and they won't lay down, and did not. After cutting the score to 21-7 on an AJ Green TD where he clearly beat Ike Taylor and forcing a Steelers punt on the next series, they had momentum. However the Steelers defense stepped up thei game even with out Woodley in the lineup and forced a punt from deep in Bengals endzone. AB returns it 60 yds for a TD and it's 28-7 going into the locker room.
Ben: 7/11, 99 yds. 1 TD
Mendenhall 8 rushes, 34 yds. 2 TD's.
Mike Wallace: 1 catch, 12 yds, 1 TD.
Antonio Brown, 1 catch, 45 yds, and a punt return TD
Not to mention the Stevenson Sylvester strip on special teams that Emmanuel Sanders recovered. The AB punt return for a TD and the special teams block of the Bengals first drive FG attempt.
Kapinos had 57 and 59 yd. punts, breaking his record.
That's as complete a first half as you'll see from this team, period.
2nd Half:
The Steelers didn't put up 28 points but the defense keep the pressure on with James Harrison racking up his 3rd sack of the game, Ziggy Hood and Brett Keisel getting regular pressure on Andy Dalton.
Ike Taylor and Keenan Lewis were solid overall, although Ike was beaten a few times that fortunately didn't amount too much.
By midway through the 4th quarter Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis pulled Andy Dalton, and the Steelers did the same with Ben. Roethlisberger finished with a 117.3 passer rating on the day.
Pouncey also was pulled, and although not happy about it, it was the right move with the game in hand.
Final key stats on the day for the Steelers:
Ben: 15/23 176 yds. 2 TD's
Mendenhall: 16 rushes, 60 yds. 2 TD's.
Wallace: 3 catches, 38 yds, 2 TD's.
Brown: 2 catches, 67 yds, Punt return for TD
Ward: 5 catches for 30 yds. Needs 10 more to reach 1000
Harrison: 6 Tackles, 3 Sacks
Ike Taylor: 2nd interception on last 2 weeks
Cam Heyward: Blocked FG and a tipped pass.
