The Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to the Washington Redskins to open the Monday Night slate for the 2016 National Football League season.
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And that was without Le’Veon Bell, their suspended running back.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have opened their 2016 season by easily winning a road game against a reigning division champion. But for those watching Monday night’s Pittsburgh-Washington tilt, there was a fairly prevailing question when it came to the Redskins’ defensive strategy that arose from all levels of the Monday morning quarterback crowd.
On defense, the Redskins could not come up with an answer for Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams, as he scampered for 143 yards. Trailing 6 to 0 in the 2nd quarter on a 4th and 1 from the Washington 29, Pittsburgh made a decision to roll the dice and go for it. Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey knocked the ball out of Kerrigan’s hands, and Roethlisberger dived on it at his own 13-yard line. “Any time you can get those balls back, it’s huge”. The touchdown, though, was set up when Rogers had a 19-yard catch-and-run on fourth-and-1 to the Redskins 15. “I don’t feel really good about anybody’s performance including mine when we lose a football game”, the head coach said when asked about Cousins’ play. He wasn’t unbeatable, but he made plays and was consistent; he played the ball well and he was physical. If Kirk Cousins cannot preform in this offense, he cannot play quarterback in the NFL. He said it’s a matter of trusting why the coaches – coordinator Joe Barry, secondary coach Perry Fewell- opted for whatever plan they used.
In the end, Pittsburgh won in a rout, 38-16.
Just like last year, Cousins and the Redskins lost a home game to an AFC opponent (last year it was the Dolphins).
Shazier was lights out up until a knee injury forced him from Monday’s game. Kirk Cousins looked horrendous Monday night. By the end of the half, Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins had scored the only points- two field goals-and Washington trailed Pittsburgh, 14-6. (Still, Thompson did record Washington’s only touchdown of the night.) Grade: B+. Roethlisberger’s pass from the 3-yard line hit receiver Sammie Coates and then Rogers’ facemask before he finished the grab. A few Steelers’ players also joined on the opposing sideline to hold the flag after the Redskins took part.
Throughout the game, Norman stayed at right cornerback.
“It wasn’t haphazard by any stretch”, Tomlin said Tuesday. Starter Matt Jones carried only seven times for 24 yards.
REED OPTION: Reed caught three passes for 39 yards on the Redskins’ opening drive and was a nonfactor with four catches for 25 yards the rest of the way.
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“That was the call”, Tomlin explained afterward in matter-of-fact fashion. “We’re a team on third and short, we like to take chances”.
