The Pittsburgh Steelers lost BEN ROETHLISBERGER (9 of 18 for 84 yards and 1 score) to a shoulder injury in the third quarter. But they won the game with a huge overtime interception by linebacker LAWRENCE TIMMONS, which led to a game-winning SHAUN SUISHAM field goal to sneak out a 16-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Roethlisberger was lost for the game after Chiefs linebackers JUSTIN HOUSTON and TAMBA HALI combined to sack him to force a 4th and 7 punt. Roethlisberger went to the locker room where he later emerged in a golf cart sans his shoulders pads and jersey. His return for next week’s game key AFC North game versus Baltimore is up in the air.
The Chiefs started the game on their own 32 yard line after the opening kickoff. Steelers defensive tackle BRETT KEISEL ended this drive with a sack of quarterback MATT CASSEL (11 of 26 for 154 yards, no touchdown, and 1 interception) for a loss of six yards which forced a punt.
The Steelers also were forced to punt on the ensuing drive on their own 43 yard line, due to a Roethlisberger overthrow of receiver JERRICHO COTCHERY.
The Chiefs took advantage on their next drive as they mounted the first points of the game. This was also a very quick drive, as it lasted just 1 minute and 46 seconds (the drive started at the KC 30 yard line). A key play of this drive was a TONY MOEAKI (3 catches for 68 yards and no score) 38 yard reception to the PITT 25 yard line. On the play, Moeaki faked like he was in blitz pickup mode as a blocker, then he ran towards the right sideline and caught the pass and was eventually thrown out of bounds by cornerback KENDRICK LEWIS. The big catch led to a JAMAL CHARLES (23 carries for 100 yards and 1 score) 12 yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead.
On the Steelers’ next drive, which started on their own 20, they only got six yards and were forced to punt after a 3rd and 4 Roethlisberger incompletion out of bounds amid pressure and well covered receivers.
With just under 3:14 left in the first quarter, the Steelers took over at their own 13 yard line. Roethlisberger kept this drive alive with a completion to running back ISAAC REDMAN for 8 yards on 3rd and 3. But two penalties and a Redman fumble—that was forced by 2012 first-round draft pick DONTARI POE and recovered by linebacker DERRICK JOHNSON—-dashed any hopes Pittsburgh had of answering Kansas City’s earlier touchdown.
One of the recurring themes of the Chiefs offense for years has been their inability to score consistently even with prime field position. The drive following Johnson’s fumble recovery placed the ball at the PITT 10 yard line. But a third down 1 yard loss by Charles forced a RYAN SUCCOP 22 yard field goal. The Chiefs were ahead 10-0 but it should have been 14-0.
The Steelers began their next drive from their own 40 yard line. Cornerback JALIL BROWN, who replaced the overpriced and recently cut cornerback STANFORD ROUTT, ended this drive with a third down pass break-up/good coverage versus Cotchery. Brown’s big play forced a fourth down Suisham 35 yard field goal which made the score 10-3 Chiefs.
Later in the second quarter, the Steelers put together a drive for their first touchdown of the game. The drive was kept alive by a 3rd and 4 up the middle 17 yard run by running back JONATHAN DWYER to the KC 28 yard line. Another key play in the drive was a Roethlisberger 3rd and 4 run that gained 14 yards and put him over 1,000 yards rushing for his career. He came into the game with 988 yards rushing.
Roethlisberger’s run set his team up at the KC 7 yard line. That big run led to his 7 yard touchdown pass to MIKE WALLACE, who made one of the better catches of his career on the play which tied the game at 10-10. Wallace turned around just in time to catch Roethlisberger’s pass with one hand versus cornerback BRANDON FLOWERS, then as Wallace fell to the ground, the ball went between his legs then rolled to his hands nose first and then he rolled out bounds.
In the third quarter, on the Steelers’ first drive of the second half, Houston and Hali made the sack that sent Roethlisberger out of the game. After the sack, and to add salt to the Steelers’ wounds, the two linebackers celebrated Kid N’ Play style with that rap duo’s late 1980s and early 1990s popular leg-kick dance.
But the Chiefs had problems of their own. On their next drive, a couple beneficial plays by players like running back PEYTON HILLIS were wasted as the Chiefs missed a 33 yard field goal on fourth down by Succop.
Pittsburgh started their next drive behind backup quarterback BYRON LEFTWICH (7 of 14 for 73 yards, no score, or interception). The last time Leftwich played in a real game was Week 17 of the 2010 season, a 41-9 win over the Cleveland Browns. None of that mattered when this drive started, as he had to pick up where Roethlisberger left off and lead the Steelers to a win. But this drive ended with a Johnson 4th and 1 tackle of Redman who was a yard short of the first down marker. But Leftwich would have a chance to redeem himself.
With just under 2:50 left in the game, Leftwich fired a 31 yard completion to EMMANUEL SANDERS who took the huge catch all the way to the Steelers 41 yard line. This play led to a Suisham successful field goal from 31 yards and a 13-10 Pittsburgh lead.
Kansas City answered with a Succop 46 yard field goal which knotted the score at 13-13 and forced overtime. But the Steelers dashed the Chiefs hopes early in overtime, with the aforementioned Timmons interception that he returned 23 yards to the KC 5 yard line.
By Matthew Robinson
