Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers stole the game from Cousins and the Washington Redskins with little fret.
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Through the air and on the ground, the Steelers rolled to a 38-16 victory.
Against the Steelers, the Redskins managed only 55 yards rushing. CB Darqueze Dennard, who missed the Jets game with a sprained ankle, fully participated in practice for the first time, an indication he’ll be ready for Pittsburgh. They kept them out of the end zone all but once. Roethlisberger’s three touchdown passes included two of spectacular nature to Brown and a unusual one to Eli Rogers, playing in his first National Football League game. But they never got the run game going; they were slowed too much by one penalty and when they had chances to get up early, they settled for two field goals and not touchdowns.
So much for Pittsburgh being hampered early in the season while waiting for running back Le’Veon Bell to return from a three-game suspension and tight end Ladarius Green nursing a lingering ankle injury. Shazier, charged with perhaps the most hard matchup of the night, swept in front of Redskins’ tight end Jordan Reed in the Steelers endzone to break up a pass and force the first of three Washington field goals. “That’s the way to make them right and make a play”. Roethlisberger’s pass intended for Sammie Coates was deflected and directly into the awaiting hands of Eli Rogers.
The Steelers led 24-9 after three quarters.
In the 3rd quarter, Rothelisberger threw his third touchdown pass of the game to Antonio Brown. In the 4th quarter the Redskins offense came to life behind Cousins starting to drive the football down the football field.
Ryan Shazier then intercepted Cousins on Washington’s first series of the second half. Roethlisberger went his way a lot, and Brown feasted. Washington drove inside the 15 before having to settle for a 31-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal.
The Steelers led 14-6 at halftime.
When Roethlisbeger stood at the line of scrimmage Brown’s 29-yard touchdown, he immediately recognized the coverage on his All-Pro receiver and knew where he was going.
He trusted his guys to make plays in big moments, no matter who they might be. Turns out there was a third choice – go for it all. Although wide receiver DeSean Jackson broke the 100-yard plateau and tight end Jordan Reed had seven catches on the night, the impact of their plays was far from game-changing. However, on fourth-and-6, safety Robert Golden stopped Thompson inches short after a reception at the Steelers’ 33 to thwart that threat.
Davis had four tackles, three solo, and he was not taken advantage of in the least by a fleet of accomplished Washington receivers. The pass was intended for Coates but cornerback Bashaud Breeland jumped the quick slant and the ball bounced directly to Rogers for the score.
That the Steelers failed to record a sack and still kept an above-average Redskins offense to 16 points suggests this group has grown. “They just made some great throws and great catches”. The Redskins defense made Williams look like he was 23 years old again.
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Rams QB Case Keenum completed just 17 of 35 passes for 130 yards, with two interceptions.
