Well, the let down was avoided. The Steelers went into Buffalo and beat the Bills 27-20 to win their fourth straight game. Pittsburgh seems to be peaking at the right time, and if their winning ways continue, they will find themselves sitting as AFC North champions yet again. The win in Buffalo further cemented the Steelers role as “that team” no one wants to play in the playoffs. It is shaping up to be a typical Pittsburgh Super Bowl run, so get ready for the wild ride.
Pittsburgh Steelers Week 14 Takeaways
This week, the main component was once again running back Le’Veon Bell. Bell had another monster game and was the main reason Pittsburgh marched to victory. Also, Pittsburgh added a good start defensively and showed continued maturity in the secondary to complete the victory.
Le’Veon Bell Has Another Monster Day
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is not only making his case for the Pro Bowl but also quite possibly for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Bell gained a total of 298 yards and accumulated three touchdowns. To say that Bell was the main feature of the offense would be an understatement. Bell was the offense. With the snow barreling down in Buffalo, the opportunity was perfect for the Steelers to run the ball and run it with authority. That is exactly what happened.
Even without Ramon Foster, who missed with a chest injury, the Steelers offensive line was able to create space for Bell to go to work. In Foster’s place, B.J. Finney stepped up and made sure there was not a lack of production. The offensive line has been vastly under appreciated this year (but then again, when aren’t they?). Without the outstanding performance from the unit, Bell would not have had the day he had. The numbers are a reflection of both Bell’s gifted running ability and the line’s physical will they imposed on Buffalo’s defense.
The importance of this performance cannot be stressed enough. The usually prolific passing game struggled in the snow. Ben Roethlisberger, who is usually dependable, had an unusually unsuccessful game. Ben threw for just 220 yards and an uncanny three interceptions. This type of performance is not surprising in the weather but is extremely rare from Roethlisberger. With the passing game underachieving, the running game needed to step up, and did exactly that, leading the Steelers to their fourth straight win.
Defense Steps Up Early, Continues to Improve
Another big component of the road win was the defense’s ability to stop the mobile Tyrod Taylor and the Bills offense. Buffalo scored once in the second quarter and then not again until the fourth. This inability to get going was key to the Steelers success on defense. On the Bills first two drives, Taylor was sacked by Stephon Tuitt and Bud Dupree the first time he dropped back. This put the Bills in a bad position early, and they were unable to fight out of it.
Also, rookie cornerback Artie Burns had another interception. Burns continues to show he can be depended on in the future and will be a good building piece to add onto this off-season in the secondary.
All that remains are three division games. Next week, Pittsburgh takes on a damaged Cincinnati Bengals team. There is no doubt the Steelers will take this game very seriously, because even though they are injured beyond belief, they are still the hated Cincinnati Bengals. Week 17 is a matchup with the winless Cleveland Browns. Again, the rivalry should ensure this is not a letdown. That leaves one match up, and it is a big one. Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens for the division. Buckle up, here comes some serious December football.
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