Today was a day where anyone who is a football purist, a Steelers fan that loved watching their team do it "the steelers way", had to come away grinning from ear to ear.
The Steelers got back to Basics, proving that they can get it done on offense and defense. The smashmouth running game was in full swing with both Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman carrying the load in Rashard Mendenhall's absence. The return of Max Starks propelled the offensive line amidst even more injuries, to their best game yet. Line up, get a hat on a hat, and go to work. That's how the Steelers lived their lives on offense for decades. Get yourself a power back who's legs never stop churning and isn't afraid to lower his head and take on the defender. That's what both Dwyer and Redman did today. They finished runs, got the extra yards, found the seam in the defense and took off.
2 staples in the Steelers offense also had big games in the passing attack. Hines Ward, who earlier in the criticized everything and anything including not being targeted enough in his mind. Ben responded by hooking up with Hines 7 times for 54 yds and 2 TD's. On the 2nd, Ward made the catch at the Titan's 3 yd line and then leap frogged the defender and landed in the endzone.
Heath Miller had 3 catches for 46 yds. and a TD. His presence not only felt in the passing game but also in his blocking. He was key in helping spring the running backs all day long on both sides of the line.
Ben was able to find his targets, get rid of the ball, and not get killed in the process. Something we haven't seen all year long but on a day like today though, it was definitely needed. When you combine all of that with an epic run defense, one that has been severely lacking this year, it's clear to see why the Steelers got the win. When you have to have a win, when you gotta get back to basics, you call on what works. Run the ball, get Hines and Heath involved, and don't turn it over.
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