Black and Gold Report: Pittsburgh Steelers a top the AFC North

by Behbigben15

HERE IT IS!!! The first ever ArmchairGM.com Steelers beat for Monday October 22, 2007. I am AGM's official beat writer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I will be writing this section twice a week. So, on with today's news for the Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Denver last night for a Sunday Night week 7 game, as they clashed with the Denver Broncos. Before the game the snow had to be cleared off the field, and was ready to go by gametime. The Steelers started off looking great, as they easily marched down the field on 8 plays, the 60-yard drive was capped off by a 1-yard pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger to TE Heath Miller (PAT made by Jeff Reed). The Steelers, once again, were the first to score, but the Broncos on their first drive marched 69 yards on 9 plays and tied the game up with a 15-yard TD pass from Jay Cutler, the second -year QB out of Vanderbilt, to the veteran WR, Brandon Stokley (Jason Elam PAT). The Steelers struggled the rest of the half, as they turned the ball over three times (2 INT's, 1 Fumble), with two punts. The Denver D-Line continued to pressure Big Ben, and the Broncos offense took advantage of the Pittsburgh turnovers, with the Broncos scoring 3 TD's in the first half (one on defense), and Tomlin's Steelers went into the half down by 14 points.

The Steelers D came back out of the locker room pumped up, and they picked off a Jay Cutler pass (intercepted by Larry Foote and returned 14 yards), and the Steelers had the momentum, and scored on a 13-yard pass from Roethlisberger to WR Santonio Holmes (Reed made it 14 with the PAT). The score was now 21-14, and Pittsburgh was still pumped up, but the Broncos made another great run, and scored on a 1-yard pass from Cutler to the TE Sheffler, capping a 13 play, 79-yard drive (Elam made PAT). Give credit to Pittsburgh for never giving up, Pittsburgh came back out with a 41-yard scoring drive, as Roethlisberger threw for his 3rd TD of the night (second to a TE) on a 13-yard pass to rookie TE Matt Spaeth. The PITT defense forced the Denver offense three-and-out, and Big Ben threw for his fourth TD pass of the night (yes, you heard me, Big Ben threw for FOUR TD's in one night), to Heath Miller (his 2nd). Big Ben threw a 12-yard pass to a wide open Miller in the back of the end zone with 1:16 left in the game, and a Jeff Reed PAT made it 28 all.

But, apparently, Pittsburgh scored to soon. As the second-year QB, Jay Cutler, gave Denver some confidence, as he lead the Broncos to a 49-yard drive on 7 plays while taking away all the time off the clock as Cutler set up a 49-yard FG with no time left. It was a heartbreaking loss to a, then 4-1 team. But, if you're going to lose, that's the way to go down. The Steelers played an awesome second-half, and give this team some credit. What killed the Steelers was the four-turnover first-half, and in the first half of the game, Roethlisberger was in his 2006 form, as he threw 2 INT's (plus a lost fumble), the INT's were the difference in the game. Those of you who watched the game will agree with me when I say that it wasn't necessarily Roethlisberger's fault, his two INT's, that is. Either his O-Line was banged up, or Denver's very young D-Line was at the top of their game. Roethlisberger was dancing around out there, and he did a terrific job of buying some time for his receivers, and avoiding countless sacks, although he still got sacked four times (all by the D-Line). The Steelers played one hell of a game, as they never gave up, but they just fell short of their 5th win, and will have to settle for a 4-2 record.

OTHER NEWS:

GOOD NEWS: No injuries were sustained last night for the Steelers, which is always good news in a sport where contact happens on every play.

The Steelers will announce their all-time team on Wednesday October 24th at 5:30 P.M. at the Coca-Cola Great Hall at Heinz Field. The team was selected by fan vote at www.Steelers.com as part of the Steelers 75th season celebration. They will honor their all-time team at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, and again when they host the Baltimore Ravens on MNF on November 5th, at home.

AFC North Standings

• Steelers 4-2
• Ravens 4-3
• Browns 3-3
• Bengals 2-4

Pittsburgh's next game: Week 8, Sunday October 28th at Cincinnati 1 P.M. on CBS

If you have any suggestions, tips, or comments on my first STEELERS BEAT, feel free to let me know.