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2016 Steelers 38 at Redskins 16 MNF
The Steelers open the season with a dominant offensive performance, led by Ben Roethlisberger's 300 yds and 3 TDs. Antonio Brown puts on a show with 126 yds and 2 TDs, including a gutsy 4th-down deep ball that flips momentum. DeAngelo Williams rushes for 143 yds and 2 TDs, sealing the win late, and Eli Rogers Eli Rogers grabs a wild TD off a deflection in his NFL debut. The defense bends but limits Washington to only FGs until the 4th. Ryan Shazier and James Harrison each snag INTs, and Robert Golden delivers a clutch 4th-down stop. Washington racks up yards but can't cash in despite 329 yds from Kirk Cousins, settling for FGs while the Steelers pile on points.
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2016 Steelers 24 vs Bengals 16
The Steelers control a physical, rain-soaked battle with their defense setting the tone, holding Cincinnati to just one TD and forcing a key late fumble when James Harrison jars the ball loose from Tyler Boyd, sealing the win. Ross Cockrell limits A.J. Green to 38 yds on 2 catches, while the Bengals' run game sputters with just 46 yds. Ryan Shazier leads with 11 tackles and helps stuff Jeremy Hill for a loss on 1st-and-goal, forcing a FG instead of a TD. Ben Roethlisberger throws 3 TDs but also 2 INTs, while DeAngelo Williams grinds out 94 yds rushing and adds a short TD catch. Xavier Grimble and Jesse James each haul in TDs as tight ends step up with Antonio Brown held to just 39 yds. A clutch 14-yd run by Ben helps set up the final TD, sealing a hard-fought win.
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2016 Steelers 3 at Eagles 34
The Steelers struggle from the start as the Eagles score on their first 3 possessions, quickly putting Pittsburgh in a hole. The offense fails to respond, with Markus Wheaton dropping a TD pass early and the running game stalling. DeAngelo Williams' longest carry is 13 yards, and the team finishes with only 29 yds on the ground. Behind a dominant defensive front led by Fletcher Cox, the Eagles pressure Ben Roethlisberger relentlessly, sacking him multiple times and forcing a fumble. Cox beats David DeCastro for 2 sacks, while Brandon Graham adds another against Marcus Gilbert. The Steelers offense, though built to keep pace in shootouts, never finds rhythm and fails to reach the end zone for the first time in nearly 2 years. Unable to win first-down battles, Pittsburgh falls into long-yardage situations, allowing the Eagles defense to dictate the game.
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2016 Steelers 43 vs Chiefs 14 SNF
Total annihilation. Big Ben (22 of 27, 300 yds, 5 TD, 0 Int) throws 3 of his 5 TDs in a span of just 6 snaps during the first quarter, including a pair of TDs to Antonio Brown, as the Steelers capitalize on early turnovers to quickly bury the shell-shocked Chiefs. Le'Veon Bell, back from his knee injury and a 3-game substance abuse suspension, picks up right where he left off in 2015 with 178 total yds (18 carries for 144 yds, 5 catches for 34 yds). The Steelers control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and Cam Heyward tallies 3 of Pittsburgh 4 sacks, a welcome breakthrough for a defense with only 1 sack all season coming into the game. The Steelers lead 36-0 by the start of the 4th quarter, rendering a pair of late Kansas City TDs meaningless.
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2016 Steelers 31 vs Jets 13
Big Ben unleashes a 72-yd TD bomb to Sammy Coates on Pittsburgh's 3rd play of the game, setting the tone for a 34-of-47 380-yard, 4 TD performance that I was fortunate enough to attend in person with my youngest son. Coates finishes with 6 catches for 139 yds and 2 TDs despite 5 TERRIBLE drops (including 3 likely TDs) that hit him right in his hands. Antonio Brown and LeVeon Bell catch 9 each passes as the Steelers, having trailed 13-7 at one point, move the ball at will and score 24 unanswered points, pulling away from the outclassed Jets in the second half.
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2016 Steelers 15 at Dolphins 30
The Steelers collapse in Miami, looking lost against an underdog again. Despite facing the league's worst run defense, Pittsburgh runs just 16 times, with their only big play a 60-yd end-around TD by Darrius Heyward-Bey in the 1st quarter. Roethlisberger struggles, throwing 2 INTs and finishing 19 of 34 for 189 yds with a late TD only after the game is already out of reach. Worse, he injures his knee in the 2nd quarter, briefly leaving before returning to finish the game. Antonio Brown is shut down, held to 39 yds on 4 catches. The Steeler defense is gashed by Jay Ajayi, who runs for 204 yds, just the 6th player to ever top 200 against them. Missing key defenders, Pittsburgh fails to sack or even pressure Ryan Tannehill, who throws for 252 yds with ease, as yet another supposedly outmanned opponent dominates the Steelers physically.
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2016 Steelers 16 vs Patriots 27
Landry Jones starts in place of Big Ben, who is out after knee surgery for a torn meniscus. Jones plays reasonably well, throwing for 281 yds, but his 1st half INT in the end zone costs the Steelers points. Antonio Brown posts 93 yds, including a 51-yd catch, while Le'Veon Bell grinds out 149 scrimmage yds. Boswell misses 2 FGs, including a costly 42-yarder. The Steelers keep Gronk quiet in the 1st half, but he takes over after halftime, burning Robert Golden for a 36-yd TD and hauling in a 37-yd catch to set up another score. Former Steeler LeGarrette Blount rushes for 127 yds and scores 2 TDs. Despite outgaining the Patriots 375-362 and controlling possession, the Steelers' struggles against the run and inability to stop Gronkowski late prove costly.
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2016 Steelers 14 at Ravens 21
The Steelers struggle early, with Big Ben, returning from knee surgery, unable to move the offense until the 4th quarter. By then, the Ravens have built a 21-0 lead, fueled by a 95-yd TD pass to former Steeler Mike Wallace, a blocked punt returned for a TD, and two Justin Tucker FGs. With time running out, Roethlisberger sparks a comeback, first hitting Antonio Brown for a 23-yd TD to make it 21-7. Then, after a stalled drive, Ben scrambles for a 4-yd TD, pulling the Steelers within 7 points. However, the onside kick attempt fails, and Baltimore runs out the clock. Le'Veon Bell is held to 32 yds on 14 carries. Ben finishes with 264 yds, 1 TD, and 1 INT. The Steelers also struggle with penalties, committing 10 for 84 yds, adding to their frustration.
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2016 Steelers 30 vs Cowboys 35
The Steelers battle hard, but costly mistakes at key moments ultimately sink them. Four failed 2-point conversions prove especially costly, as Mike Tomlin's overly aggressive calls to go for two instead of taking the extra point leave the team with no cushion. Big Ben delivers a standout performance, throwing for 408 yds and 3 TDs, including a 15-yd strike to Antonio Brown that puts Pittsburgh up 30-29 with 42 seconds left. But the defense collapses when it matters most. Ezekiel Elliott, the NFL's leading rusher, runs for 114 yds and two TDs, including a crushing 32-yd game-winner with 9 seconds to go. Earlier, he also takes an 83-yd screen pass to the end zone for another score. With the Steelers ahead 30-29, Dallas gets one last chance. In the final moments, rookie Sean Davis commits a critical facemask penalty, giving Dallas a fresh set of downs and stopping the clock with 15 seconds left. Then, Ross Cockrell's hit out of bounds moves the Cowboys into Steelers territory, setting up Elliott's game-winning TD run.
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2016 Steelers 24 at Browns 9
On a blustery, bitter cold day in Cleveland, the 0-10 Browns are exactly what the doctor ordered to end Pittsburgh's 4-game losing streak and move the Steelers into a first place tie with Baltimore. With Roethlisberger passing for just 167 yds into the swirling wind, LeVeon Bell and staunch Steeler defense carry the day. Defensively, Pittsburgh dominates every phase of the game, allowing just 33 yds rushing and sacking Browns QBs 8 times, knocking Cody Kessler out of the game (Timmons) as James Harrison becomes Pittsburgh's all-time sack leader. Meanwhile, LeVeon Bell rushes for 146 yds on 28 carries, including a 1-yd TD just before the half scored with no time on the clock thanks to Cleveland penalties.
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2016 Steelers 28 at Colts 7 TNF
The Steelers take control early, scoring TDs on their first three drives to put the Colts in a deep hole. Le'Veon Bell punches in a 5-yard TD to open the scoring before Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown connect for 25- and 33-yard touchdowns, giving Pittsburgh a 21-7 lead.
Scott Tolzien, filling in for the injured Andrew Luck, keeps the Colts in it with a short TD pass, but Indianapolis repeatedly comes up empty in key moments. Twice, they reach the 1-yard line, only for Pittsburgh's defense to stuff Tolzien on third down and force incompletions on fourth.
Roethlisberger puts the game away in the fourth with a 22-yard strike to Brown, their third TD connection of the night. He finishes 14 of 20 for 221 yards and three TDs, all to Brown, who records 91 yards on five catches. Bell grinds out 120 yards on 23 carries as Pittsburgh controls the tempo.
Tolzien throws for 205 yards, one TD, and two INTs in a tough spot start, but the Steelers' defense proves too much, securing a comfortable victory on the road.
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2016 Steelers 24 vs Giants 14
Pittsburgh's defense takes control against Eli Manning, who struggles throughout the game, finishing with 2 INTs and 2 sacks. Lawrence Timmons makes a huge play in the 2nd quarter, intercepting Manning at the Steelers 2-yard line and returning it to the Giants 48. A few plays later, Ben connects with Antonio Brown for a spectacular TD catch, with Brown leaping over a DB and keeping one foot and part of his backside inbounds to secure his 11th TD of the season. Ladarius Green adds his first TD with the Steelers, a 20-yard catch. After Le'Veon Bell fumbles, the Giants score their only TD, but the defense bounces back, allowing just 234 total yds and adding key interceptions from Timmons and rookie Sean Davis. The Giants offense is completely stifled, and the Steelers' defense, shaky earlier in the season, looks to be in top form.
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2016 Steelers 27 at Bills 20
The Steelers dominate on the ground as Le'Veon Bell powers the offense with a franchise-record 236 yds and 3 TDs. After a pass-heavy 1st half where Ben Roethlisberger struggles with 3 INTs, one denying a Steelers score and another setting up a Buffalo TD, the team shifts to the run. Bell takes over, carrying 9 out of 10 plays on a 72-yd TD drive to open the 2nd half. He finishes with 38 carries, 25 after halftime, plus 62 yds receiving for 298 total yds. The defense shuts down the Buffalo's league-leading rushing attack, holding them to 67 yds, while sacking Tyrod Taylor 5 times. Rookie Artie Burns adds an INT as the Steelers limit Buffalo to 275 total yds. Despite Roethlisberger's struggles, Pittsburgh controls the game with 460 yds of offense, leaning on Bell's relentless running and a stifling defensive effort to secure another crucial December win.
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2016 Steelers 24 at Bengals 20
The Steelers struggle early, falling behind 20-6 as penalties prove costly. A facemask on Stephon Tuitt wipes out a sack to extend a Bengals drive that ends in a FG. A pass interference on Artie Burns erases a Mike Mitchell INT, setting up an Andy Dalton TD sneak. Later, a chop block by Le'Veon Bell negates a Roethlisberger TD pass to Antonio Brown, forcing Pittsburgh to settle for a FG. But momentum shifts in the 2nd half as the defense tightens, and Lawrence Timmons grabs a crucial INT. The Bengals unravel with penalties on 4 straight plays, including an unnecessary roughness on Bell. Roethlisberger takes advantage, finding Eli Rogers for a 24-yd TD to take the lead. Boswell’s 6 FGs keep Pittsburgh in it, while Cinci's lack of discipline proves costly. The Steelers' road dominance continues with their fifth straight win.
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2016 Steelers 31 vs Ravens 27 TNF
After throwing a TD on Pittsburgh's opening drive, Ben sputters during the 2nd and 3rd quarters, throwing a pair of INTs deep in Pittsburgh territory that result in 10 Baltimore points and a 20-10 4th quarter deficit. But Ben comes alive in the 4th quarter, leading the Steelers to 21 points by completing 14 of 18 (even with 2 spikes) for 164 yds and 2 TDs. LeVeon Bell is truly remarkable in this game, patiently picking his way through the Baltimore defense for 122 yds on 20 carries for 2 TDs (1 rushing, 1 receiving). With a playoff berth on the line after Baltimore scores a potential game-winning TD with 1:18 remaining, Roethlisberger coolly leads the Steelers on a decisive 10-play, 75-yd drive. With 14 seconds left and no time outs from the Ravens' 4, Ben fires a short underneath pass to Antonio Brown, who catches the ball at the 1 and appears to be stopped short of the goal line. But on what will come to be known as the "Immaculate Extension," Brown fights off 3 Ravens defenders and reaches the ball into the end zone to win the game and the AFC North while ending Baltimore's playoff hopes.
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2016 Steelers 27 vs Browns 24 OT
The Steelers, resting key starters with their playoff spot secured, struggle early, punting on their first 5 drives. Backup QB Landry Jones settles in after halftime, finishing 24 of 37 for 277 yds, 3 TDs and an INT. Down 14-7 late in the 3rd, Heyward-Bey makes a game-changing play, chasing down an INT return and forcing a fumble near the goal line. Jones recovers in the end zone, preventing a TD that would have put the Steelers in a deep hole. The defense steps up again in the 4th, holding to force a FG after allowing a long drive, keeping it a one-score game. Late in overtime, they come through on 3rd down near midfield, forcing a punt that sets up the game-winning drive. Jones then leads an 11-play march, capping it with a 26-yd TD to Cobi Hamilton.
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2016 AFC Wildcard Steelers 30 vs Dolphins 12
Pittsburgh wins their 8th straight game as Big Ben starts the game 10 of 10 for 182 yds, including a pair of short throws that Antonio Brown turns into long TDs (50 and 62 yds) on Pittsburgh's first two drives. From there, LeVeon Bell grinds the Dolphins to a pulp, adding 2 more TDs en route to a postseason team record of 167 rushing yds on 29 carries. Miami never acclimates to the single-digit wind chill nor Pittsburgh's defensive onslaught, suffering 5 sacks and at one point turning the ball over on 3 consecutive possessions.
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2016 AFC Playoffs Steelers 18 at Chiefs 16
Chris Boswell sets a postseason record, going a perfect 6-for-6 on FGs in hostile territory to earn Pittsburgh their 9th straight win and advance to the AFC Championship. Boswell had to be perfect, because despite 170 yds rushing by LeVeon Bell and another 100-yd receiving game by Antonio Brown, the Steelers go 0-4 in the red zone. The Steelers rack up 275 yds in the first half alone (compared to 227 yds for the entire game by the Chiefs), yet have only 12 points to show for it at halftime. As a result, the Chiefs are able to mount a comeback and appear to tie the game in the final 3 minutes on a 2-point conversion, Luckily, a holding penalty overturns the play and forces KC try again from the 12, and this time the ball is swatted away to preserve the Steeler victory.
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2016 AFC Championship Steelers 17 at Patriots 36
The Steelers struggle early as the Pats take a 10-0 1st-quarter lead and blow the game open in the 2nd half. The Steelers do nothing to disrupt Brady's rhythm, allowing him to stay comfortable in the pocket as he picks the secondary apart for 384 yds and 3 TDs. Le'Veon Bell exits early with a groin injury, and the coaching staff fails to adapt. DeAngelo Williams struggles with just 34 yds on 14 carries, while the passing game falters as receivers drop multiple passes. Cobi Hamilton drops a critical pass in the end zone and later catches one that doesn't count because he steps out of bounds. Sammie Coates drops a deep pass, and Eli Rogers catches a pass but fumbles, leading to a Patriots TD. Antonio Brown is blanketed, with no TDs despite 7 catches. Big Ben throws for 314 yds, 1 TD, and 1 INT, but multiple missed opportunities, including an overturned Jesse James TD and a failed 4th-quarter trip inside the 5, cost the Steelers points. Offensively and defensively, Mike Tomlin's inability to make key in-game adjustments contributes to the Steelers' struggles. Despite solid individual performances, the lack of effective coaching and adaptation ultimately leads to the disappointing loss.
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 | A HUGE gold star thank you goes out to Barry Blyler for generously contributing the 2016 season for the rest of us to enjoy. Kudos, Barry!
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