By Mark Madden
November 12, 2017
Martavis Bryant catches a 2-point conversion to tie the score at 17-17 in Sunday's 20-17 win in Indianapolis. (http://www.steelers.com/photos/)
A win is a win is a win, even if the Steelers’ 20-17 victory at Indianapolis was mostly notable for how awful the Steelers were before regrouping. The only time they led was when the clock hit three zeroes.
But perhaps the game provided an odd, yet positive, turning point of sorts.
Prior to Sunday, the Steelers were 7-14 in the last 21 games they were a road favorite. Adding to that ignominy would have been a huge mental blow and a PR disaster. It would have also fueled the idea that Mike Tomlin is transitioning from elite coach to BS artist, a notion that is not without merit.
The second half also saw quarterback Ben Roethlisberger finally play like the Steelers need him to. Not a moment too soon, either.
In the first half, Roethlisberger was seven-of-15 for 72 yards. He threw one interception and zero touchdowns. That performance was not a hit on Twitter.
The Steelers posted just 100 yards of total offense in the first half. This against an Indianapolis defense that ranked worst in points per game and second-worst in yards per game before yesterday, and which doesn’t have a single starter remaining from the Colts’ opening game in 2016.
But if Roethlisberger was a primary reason the Steelers found themselves in a hole, he showed up with the biggest shovel when it came time to dig out.
In the second half, Roethlisberger was 12-for-16 for 164 yards and two touchdowns. He hiked his QB rating from 33.2 at the half to 93.9 for the game. Roethlisberger made throws in traffic. His touch and accuracy resurfaced.
The Steelers are 7-2 and on course to earn home field for the playoffs’ AFC bracket, which is sorely needed.
But for the Steelers to have a realistic shot at the Super Bowl — which likely means eliminating New England — Roethlisberger must keep playing like that.
The late pyrotechnics aside, it wasn’t a banner day for the Steelers’ offense.
It was supposed to score 30 points every game. It has yet to do so even once.
Running back Le’Veon Bell has had games of 134, 144 and 179 yards but also games of 32, 47 and 61 yards. Bell was flat mediocre Sunday: He gained 80 yards on 26 carries, barely averaging three yards per.
Bell is likely still shaking off the last effects of missing training camp. But he also seems to lack his usual burst, or is a half-step late delivering that burst.
The Steelers dodged a veritable hail of bullets.
Too many penalties: Nine for 70 yards. Lousy third-down efficiency: Three-for-11 until going two-for-two on the game-ending drive that produced Chris Boswell’s game-winning 33-yard field goal. Chaos reared its head: The Steelers took a time out before their game-tying two-point conversion in the fourth quarter, but still incurred a delay-of-game penalty before the attempt. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley was visibly raging on the sideline.
It was quite the circuitous route to victory.
It wasn’t without cost, either: Cornerback Joe Haden, the secondary’s glue, broke his leg. Safety Mike Mitchell, the secondary’s hammer, was carted off.
A win is a win is a win.
But the poor first half can’t be overlooked, especially from a preparation standpoint. The Steelers came out woefully unready and apparently unmotivated following a bye week.
Focus and discipline win championships. It’s difficult to scramble your way to a Super Bowl like the Steelers scrambled to a narrow triumph at Indianapolis.
Even at 7-2, the Steelers need to show a lot more. New England looms, first on Dec. 17 and almost certainly again in the playoffs.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
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