 |
 | 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!
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
| |
Classic Games Menu
