Roethlisberger’s backup, Landry Jones, had two of his four pass attempts intercepted, including an ill-advised fake field goal on the first play of the second quarter that swung momentum back to Seattle.
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I see the Seahawks closing 4-1 to finish 10-6 and enter the playoffs as the wild-card team nobody wants to face. He did not return to the game on the Steelers’ next offensive possession.
It was the latest in a string of poor performances from the Steelers’ secondary.
The Pittsburgh Steelers just have not been able to catch a break in terms of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s health in 2015. Doug Baldwin might have gone a month earlier this season without catching a touchdown pass, but his old pal Richard Sherman is still blustering that “people are finally starting to notice how good of a receiver he is”.
Sherman, shadowing most of the game Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh’s best WR, Antonio Brown, held the All-Pro to six catches for 51 yards. Before he departed with just a few minutes to play, Roethlisberger went over 400 yards passing for the eighth time in his career with a final tally of 456 yards.
If Roethlisberger is cleared in time for Week 13, he is a no-brainer QB1 once again. “The result of that is just cleaner play, the quarterback is more comfortable, he can hang in the pocket, he can utilize his receivers better – all of that”.
Despite Pittsburgh’s success throwing the ball, Seattle’s offense also moved the ball with great efficiency.
Josh Scobee lost the Baltimore game single-handedly. So seeing the offense step up and win the game was a welcome sight for the Seahawks, especially now that a playoff spot is back within their grasp. “We know we need these last five games so everyone has to bring it”. Markus Wheaton broke past debuting Seahawks defensive back Jeremy Lane at the end of a long-developing play.
Coach Pete Carroll said after the game that the injury to Graham’s patellar tendon will require surgery.
Roethlisberger headed to the locker room during the Steelers’ final series.
INDIANAPOLIS Matt Hasselbeck threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns and Adam Vinatieri made four more field goals for the Colts. With Wheaton’s big day, Martavis Bryant also hauled in five catches for 69 yards, but more importantly was the fact that he also dropped some passes that were well defended but could have been caught.
Pittsburgh looked to extend their lead further at the start of the third quarter, but the visitors had to send Boswell on for the field goal when the drive stalled. In a game full of miscues, the uncharacteristic decision by Tomlin to play it safe may have been on the biggest calls of the game.
“We definitely feel it’s happening”, Carroll said. As the saying goes…live by the sword, die by the sword. Not only did the decision give the Seahawks a 7-3 lead it gave them momentum and belief in a game the Steelers had controlled to that point. Shead was tested often by Pittsburgh QBs and responded with a career-high 10 tackles and four pass breakups. The Seattle game was his fifth consecutive with at least one interception.
Russell Wilson passed for 345 yards and a career-high five touchdowns against the Steelers. Too bad Carey was not on the field.
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– Broncos safety T.J. Ward and nose tackle Sylvester Williams left with ankle injuries and guard Louis Vasquez injured his groin. I think he should replace Shaun Suisham permanently. Roethlisberger’s pass to Jesse James was good for the two-point convesion. Nick Foles returned as the starter and threw three interceptions, including one that Leon Hall returned 19 yards for a touchdown.
