4-5 is where the Pittsburgh Steelers now stand after a literal last minute loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

When called upon, it was the defense, not the offense, who could not come through when asked. With 42 seconds remaining in the game, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense took an exhilarating 30-29 lead. It appeared as if Pittsburgh had this one won, but obviously they did not.

But with this loss came a lot of positives from the offensive side of the ball; and no, the season isn’t over yet.

Ben Roethlisberger played a great game, eclipsing the 400 yard mark, and throwing three touchdowns to three different receivers: each TD pass more exciting than the last.

Bell’s first score

The first of those three came early, after Pittsburgh’s defense forced a turnover. On 3rd and goal, Le’Veon Bell was split out wide at receiver. Bell runs a beautiful route to get open in the back of the endzone and makes an equally impressive “all hands” catch for the touchdown.

The threat that is Le’Veon Bell in the passing game continues to be an issue for opposing teams. He puts up better receiving numbers than actual wide receivers! I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Bell could start on a few other teams at wideout.

“Juice” finished the contest with 134 all-purpose yards and 77 of those were receiving.  #26 has posted at least 100 all-purpose yards in every game he has played this season except the Baltimore game.

Eli Rogers

After a methodical drive where Ladarius Green made his first catch as a Steeler, and Roethlisberger drew the opposition offsides not once, but twice, they struck again. This time, Ben connects with Eli Rogers for the score.

Not only were things looking great for Roethlisberger, but Rogers had officially built off of his performance from last week.

This had my interest heading into the contest. Rogers had shown flashes of being a dangerous asset in this offense, but had failed to do it on a consistent basis. Last week, Eli had his first 100 yard game of his career. He then followed that up this week with 4 receptions for 42 yards, and the previous mentioned touchdown.

This is the Eli Rogers most of us as a fanbase had expected, and hoped, to see during the regular season.

Sammie gets held

Before halftime the Steelers had a chance to extend their lead that stood at 15-13.

Big Ben loaded up a deep ball for Sammie Coates, but it fell incomplete. Sadly, #30 for Dallas is clearly committing pass interference; however, no call was made.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin decided to trot Chris Boswell out for what would have been a career long field goal of 55 yards. Bozz had the length but pushed it right. This felt like a serious missed opportunity as the inaccurate field goal attempt concluded the first half.

Starting hot at half

Coming out at halftime nerves were running high. The Steelers had to take advantage of the opportunity before them. They still held a 2 point lead, and were receiving the ball to start the half.

It was Cobi Hamilton time.

On the very first play of the 3rd quarter, Big Ben tossed up another long ball, this time for Cobi Hamilton.

Cobi jumped and high pointed the football, making a contested catch.

He wasn’t just running open. Not all wide receivers have this trait, even in the NFL. Martavis Bryant is a receiver (and as much as I love the guy) who continuously does not high point the football. He usually lets it fall into his arms like a punt.

Cobi Hamilton however, has shown he has the hand eye coordination, and athletic ability to time his jumps to catch the football at it’s highest point.

That isn’t easy. Think Larry Fitzgerald.

On that same drive, Hamilton drew a defensive pass interference call. The drive sadly would result in 0 points.

Obviously, I am not the only one impressed with Cobi. He outplayed Sammie Coates 68 to 2 snaps. Hand injury or not, that is quite the difference. I imagine when Sammie is 100% he will start to eat into Hamilton’s snap count, but nothing is a guarantee.

Cobi isn’t setting the world on fire or making the Pro Bowl, but he is showing some real consistency.

Bell scores again

Speaking of consistency, Le’Veon Bell was about to score again. This time, via the ground game.

Bell would break the plane for his first rushing touchdown of 2016:

Roosevelt Nix laid a fantastic textbook block to help spring Juice. The play reminded me of Le’Veon’s walk-off touchdown versus San Diego last year. That was the opposite side of the field, and different formation, but Nix helps pave the way for Bell on both TD runs, both just barley breaking the plane.

(Versus  San Diego, it was Eric Weddle, the now Raven, who he blocked… which is awesome.)

If you thought the game was exciting at this point, just wait. Pittsburgh was down, but Big Ben was about to do some Big Ben things. After connecting with Jessie James, for a big gain (and his 4th grab of the game) a Hall of Fame caliber play was about to happen.

Roethlisberger makes a secret signal towards Antonio Brown and the two men attempt the famous “fake spike.”

They execute to perfection.

I was speechless.

I’m sure I am not alone when I say, I thought the game was won.

Unfortunately, we all know that 42 seconds was too much time to leave for Dallas, and the Steelers actually fell in this one 30-35.

Some people wanted to complain about scoring too early, but you must score, so you’re going to take the best opportunity to do so. That’s why I say the offense did their part. This loss is going to be remembered for a while, but like I said, there were positives.

Ben played about as well as you can ask of him, becoming just the 11th quarterback in NFL history to pass for 45,000 yards.

Le’Veon Bell scored two touchdowns, two different ways.

Antonio Brown had a performance most of us are used to seeing, but still posting a season high in catches (14) and yards (154).

Speaking of, other receivers not named Antonio Brown are stepping up! Eli Rogers showed up for a second straight week, and Cobi Hamilton helped stretch the field.

Ladarius Green finally got his feet wet. The offseason acquisition only played 12 snaps, but hauled in 3 catches.

I’m no math wiz, but that’s a pretty solid snap to production ratio. Despite only playing those 12 snaps, that still registered 2nd for Pittsburgh tight ends. Jessie James led with 52 snaps.

It was a crazy game to watch, but efforts fell short. The Steelers now sit at 4-5 but here’s the good news: the Bengals lost again, and Pittsburgh still sits at 2nd in an awful division.

Now all eyes are on Cleveland.