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Watt Forces Late Fumble as Steelers Edge Past Seahawks in OT 23-20

Pre-Game

Pittsburgh comes into the game with a record of 2-3 after a defensive match against the Denver Broncos winning 27-19.

Seattle enters after a divisional loss to the Los Angeles Rams; while also losing Russell Wilson due to a broken finger and Chris Carson for a neck injury.

Steelers Take Early Lead

Steelers versus Seahawks matchups have historically been hard-hitting defensive battles. This one was no different as both teams failed to score in the opening quarter. The score would open up in the second seeing Pittsburgh take control.

After a Seahawk punt, Pittsburgh took over to begin the second. They were not able to muster much on the ground to start. The Steelers looked to the air to get into scoring position. Facing a 2nd and goal at the Seahawk 5 rookie Running Back Najee Harris went left looking for a pass. Roethlisberger looked his way as Harris made his way into the endzone for the Steelers putting them on the board.

Forcing another Seahawk punt Pittsburgh looked to capitalize after their last drive ended with 7. Again, not being able to gather much on the ground, Ben, again, lead the Steeler offense downfield. By doing so, he was setting up in prime position at the Seahawk 1.

A 3rd and goal-to-go situation with everyone assuming RB Harris would get the goal-line carry Head Coach Mike Tomlin reached into his bag of tricks. Tomlin drew up a play that saw TE Eric Ebron in motion going left as Ben hiked the ball and handed it off to Ebron. The TE punched in the go-ahead score putting Pittsburgh up 14-0 at the half.

Picture via pff.com

Seattle Tightens Things Up

Seattle received the opening kickoff looking to get something going and get on the scoreboard. With a “3 yards and a cloud of dust” type drive, Alex Collins and the Seahawks fought their way to the Pittsburgh 2. Already down 2 scores, Collins received the handoff as he punched it in putting his team 1 score closer.

Pittsburgh followed up the Seattle score with a 66-yard drive that eventually stalled out on the Seattle 9. Tomlin wisely elected to kick a field goal facing a 4th and 2 putting his team up 17-7.

Receiving the ensuing kickoff Seattle gained great field position after a 38-yard kick return via Deejay Dallas. At their own 40-yard line Geno Smith pressed the ball downfield going 60 yards in just 6 plays setting his team up at the Steeler 1. Smith would find TE Will Dissly from 1-yard out bringing the Seahawks to within 3.

A Steeler punt gave possession to the trailing Seahawks to start the 4th quarter. After an 8-play drive stalled out Head Coach Pete Carroll went with the field goal unit to tie things up after seeing his team trailing 14-0 at halftime. Veteran kicker Jason Myers nailed the 40-yard attempt tying the game at 17.

The defenses again held strong as the game hit a standstill with 5 minutes remaining. Pittsburgh now with possession chewed up 3:49 of the clock as they drove 40 yards before the drive stalled out. The 9-play drive ended with a Chris Boswell field goal from 52-yards out giving Pittsburgh the lead with 1:30 remaining.

Conducting his best 2-minute drill QB Geno Smith in place of the injured Wilson drove the Seattle offense 50 yards into scoring position before stopping the clock with 3 seconds remaining. Myers came onto the field with the chance to send the game into OT. Myers lined up and pushed the 43 yarders between the posts again tying the score at 20, sending this one into overtime.

Watt Calls Game in OT

Seattle received the OT kickoff and again the defenses proved to be an immovable wall. Both Seattle and Pittsburgh were forced to punt on their first drives sending OT into “sudden death” in which the first score wins. Seattle gained possession as Smith stepped back looking to throw, superstar edge rusher T.J. Watt came around the corner getting the strip-sack for his team. Setting Pittsburgh up at the Seattle 15-yard line after the Devin Bush recovery.

Getting the ball to the right hash-line Tomlin again sent out his trusty placekicker in Chris Boswell. Boswell gave Seattle a long plane ride home as he nailed the 37-yard attempt giving Pittsburgh the 23-20 victory.

Looking Ahead

Pittsburgh now 3-3 look to stay on the heels of division-leading Baltimore Ravens as they head to Cleveland for the divisional matchup against the Browns. That game will take place on Oct. 31st

Seattle now falling even further behind the division lead at 2-4 have a long break ahead of them as they look to get back on track. They take on the New Orleans Saints at home Monday, Oct. 25th

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