2016 Recall: Win in home opener over division rival gives Steelers 2-0 start

The Steelers 2016 home opener was one of the ugliest games to be played at Heinz Field in awhile.

And it wasn’t just the play that made it ugly: 24° F (-4.4° C) temperatures and off/on rain made the game a real grind. It was so bad, there were 11 punts by both teams combined through halftime!

It was also the second straight week of the Steelers looking off-key, but then putting together an impressive showing following a pair of early turnovers. Ben Roethlisberger was hot and cold in this game. A lot of that had to do with the slick conditions, and some was simply bad timing. Big Ben threw two interceptions in the game (both in the first half) but would also toss three touchdowns. The first would give the Steelers a lead they’d never look back from, hitting Xavier Grimble for the tight end’s slip-and-slide touchdown (and first of his career).

Grimble wasn’t the only tight end to get in on the action, as Jesse James would high-point a ball for the Steelers second touchdown of the day, while AFC Offensive Player of the Week (for Week 1), DeAngelo Williams, would also score a receiving touchdown to seal the game. Williams would accumulate over 100 yards from scrimmage for the second straight week, rushing for 94 and catching 4 passes for 38.

The Steelers defense also forced two turnovers, and largely held Cincinnati to nothing on offense except some late “garbage time” scores that made the 24-16 final look a lot closer than it actually was.

Other observations

It appeared that the Steelers would be fine without TE Ladarius Green, due to the contributions of Xavier Grimble and Jesse James in this game, yet, it was another player stepping up, who looked to fill bigger shoes.

Sammie Coates only caught two passes in the game, but they went for 97 yards combined. Each were on a Steelers touchdown drive.

However, another knock on Sammie was also witnessed in this game, as he got out-muscled for a ball which was picked off by the Bengals Dre Kirkpatrick. Despite that, the glass was looking half full only two games into the season for Martavis Bryant‘s potential replacement.

The ageless James Harrison also added to his mythos by forcing a fumble with two minutes remaining in regulation; ending any shot of a Bengals comeback.

Play of the game

The first quarter was looking sloppy for the Steelers, but they were able to cobble together this scoring drive near the end of the first quarter, to go up on the Bengals 7-0.

Xavier Grimble is the recipient of this Ben Roethlisberger pass, and looks ever so eager to make sure he finds the endzone!