Game was never in doubt in a game the Steelers really needed if they wanted the bye week. Took care of business.
Troy Polamalu made his presence felt right away in the game with the tipped pass interception. Glad he was able to sit soon as the Browns were starting to cheap shot.
The dagger to start on offense was a great call by offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. He kept the foot on the gas all day and the execution was much better as well.
Overall I thought the offensive line played well outside of Jonathan Scott, who was again shaky. I did see a few slip ups on the interior line and the 2 sacks need to be looked at as well.
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Ben Roethlisberger looks so very comfortable right now and on the same page with his receivers. Really showed on the 2nd slant route pass to Mike Wallace. Every week he does that, he gets further and further away from the one trick pony tag. Really has become a complete receiver.
Not many noticed that William Gay took over for Bryant McFadden early in the game at left cornerback. Gay played pretty well in relief and Anthony Madison had an interception while in at nickel corner.
Ryan Clark made up for a few early misses with an interception.
Ike Taylor needs to tackle lower. Outside of that, another great job by him on the right side.
Rashard Mendenhall really ran hard and hardly ever goes down on first contact. He also is getting a nose for the goalline now in the redzone. His one catch had to be a blown assignment and kudos to Roethlisberger for seeing him uncovered out of the backfield.
Larry Foote played real solid as the extra linebacker in goalline situation. Also noticed the roll-out of Colt McCoy that James Farrior forced him to throw when it looked like would score on the run. Once again Larry Foote got some well needed snaps in the second half in the middle. Great effort by all the linebackers.
Mike Tomlin did good to get Stevenson Sylvester, Keyaron Fox, Will Allen, Ryan Mundy and Keenan Lewis all some snaps late in the game.
Antonio Brown is another draft pick that is showing what he has as a receiver and is maturing very fast.
Jeremy Kapinos only had 2 punts and seemed more relaxed and got great distance. Shaun Suisham was nails on his place kicks and I assume the rollers on the kickoffs were by design to keep the ball out of Joshua Cribbs hands.
Tight end Ben Watson was the only real receiving threat and I will have to closely examine the coverage on him when I go back through the tape.
Hurray for Jonathan Dwyer getting some carries. I thought I saw one assignment flub, but will have to go back and look. Certainly appears to have the talent from preseason still there.
Byron Leftwich went 5 of 7 in relief of Ben. Nothing wrong with that. Work is work.
Antwaan Randle El got a lot of early snaps it seemed. Not sure if that was by design or not. Can not wait to see the participation reports. El also found Hines Ward for a TD after slipping. Ward was WIDE open as well. 5 catches for 45 yards for the old man. Still a threat.
Heath Miller really looks recharged. The Steelers really have a ton of receiving threats on offense. If the line holds up and everyone executes, they have a solid shot to go to Dallas.
Ziggy Hood really was all over the field today. Very noticeable with his inside work as well. Looks healthy now and moving good on that ankle.
9 tackles for Lawrence Timmons today and was really popping ball carriers again today and had a breakup in coverage as well I think.
