By the time you read this, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be the only undefeated team in the NFL.
And they still won’t be completely happy with how that came to be.
In a showdown of two teams with a big fat ’0’ in the loss column — and only the eighth time in NFL history two teams with 5-0 records or better had met — the Steelers squeaked out a 27-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Pending the Seattle Seahawks result in the late game against the Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh could be perfect alone.
What’s not to like about that?
Well, the Steelers did lead 24-7 at the half. And quarterback Big Ben Roethlisberger, who had thrown just one interception in the first five games, tossed three to the Titans, including one that was a hot potato in the hands of JuJu Smith-Schuster before it was pulled in by linebacker Amani Hooker with less than three minutes to play.
And they might have a ‘1’ in the loss column had Stephen Gostkowski, the longtime New England Patriots deal-sealer, not failed to convert the turnover. If his 45-yarder goes through the uprights rather than wide right, the Titans could very well have rode the momentum of their second half surge to an overtime victory.
Why was Roethlisberger throwing so late in the game, deep in Tennessee territory, with a three point lead?
“It’s NFL football,” said coach Mike Tomlin. “We play to win. We don’t live with in our fears. Is it a combat play? Is it tight? Yes, we have a quarterback that’s been doing that for 17 years. Sometimes you’ve just got to acknowledge that they made the play in the moment and we desire to and that’s why we’re not going to live in our fears. We’re going to go in those instances to secure victory.”
Diontae Johnson was the Steelers only offensive player to enjoy a big day, with nine catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Pittsburgh’s defence, among the top three in the league, held the beast that is Derrick Henry to just 27 yards on eight carries in the first half and 75 on 20 carries for the afternoon. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill tossed two touchdown passes against no pics, but he only completed 18-of-30 for 220 yards.
It’s just that going into next Sunday’s game against the rival Baltimore Ravens (5-1 and coming off a bye) after being outscored 17-3 in the second half by the Titans is less than ideal.
“There’s a way that we like to play, and there’s a lot of meat on that bone, as coach likes to say,” said defensive lineman Cam Hayward. “I believe in the guys we got, and I’m confident we can do more. I look forward to answering the call next week.”
Added Tomlin: “Not a perfect product, we understand that. But I appreciate their efforts. We are perfect from a record standpoint, and we respect that.”
As does everybody else.
OFF THE TEE
After a handful of good-to-great games, Canadian rookie Chase Claypool had a very quiet day. He caught the only pass Roethlisberger threw his way — for minus-2 yards … With a chance to reclaim first place in the NFC L-East, the injury ravaged Cowboys (2-5-0) were spanked hard by Washington (2-5-0). In going down 25-3, the Cowboys had QB Andy Dalton go down with a concussion on a dirty hit by LB Jon Bostic. Coach Mike McCarthy, who was criticized by his players last week, was angry none of them confronted Bostic after the blow. “We speak all the time about playing for one another, protecting one another,” McCarthy said. “It was definitely not the response you would think.” … Le’Veon Bell had six carries for 39 yards in his debut with the Chiefs. However, he wasn’t targeted with a single pass. Being ignored in the passing game is what Bell complained about on social media after his last game with the Jets. He wasn’t complaining Sunday. “That felt sooooo good, omgggggg,” Bell tweeted.
MOVING THE CHAINS
Baker Mayfield’s day couldn’t have started any worse. On the first drive he under threw Odell Beckham, who suffered what is expected to be serious knee injury when trying to make a tackle. Mayfield bounced back in a big way, however, throwing five touchdown passes – including a 24-yard TD strike to Donovan Peoples-Jones with 11 seconds left in Cleveland’s 37-34 comeback win over Cincinnati.
GUNS, YOUNG AND OLD
First overall pick Joe Burrow had his biggest day to date, completing 35 passes for 406 yards and three TDs … Along with completing 27 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns, Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert also carried the ball nine times for 66 yards and a score … Not to be outdone, it was a big day for older QBs too, with both Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers throwing four touchdown passes while leading the Buccaneers (5-2) and Packers (5-1) to victories … Look who’s getting comfortable in Tampa — Rob Gronkowski caught five passes, including one for a TD, for the second week in a row.
COMING UP SHORT
First it was Daniel Jones, then Randy Arozarena. Bills tight end Tyler Kroft became the third player in three days to trip over his feet on the way to a score … With the Falcons trailing by two and a little over a minute left, Todd Gurley tried NOT to score, but his momentum carried him into the end zone. Matthew Stafford used the remaining 64 seconds to lead the Lions to victory. “I was mad as hell,” said Gurley. “I’m man enough to take the responsibility. I shouldn’t have scored.”
DOWN AND OUT
Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay had nine carries for 79 yards before leaving the game with a concussion … Washington S Landon Collins suffered what’s believed to be a season-ending Achilles injury … Jets DE Kyle Phillips (ankle) was carted off the field and will miss the rest of the season … Jaguars WR Dede Westbrook (knee) was carted off the field … 49ers lost RB Jeff Wilson and WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring) … Packers S Raven Greene (oblique) exited the game in the fourth quarter …. Texans lost CB Bradley Roby (knee) … Patriots lost WR N’Keal Harry (head) and OL Joe Thuney (ankle) … The Bengals had to do without tackles Jonah Williams (neck), Bobby Hart and C Trey Hopkins (concussion) toward the end of the game …
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