Big Ben puts
Steelers on his back, beats Jaguars 26-21
Ben Roethlisberger had Reggie Hayward draped on his back one
play and John Henderson breathing down his neck a few snaps later.
Either one could have been a sack. Both almost were.
But Big Ben turned them into big completions, maybe the highlights of his big
night that gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a big boost in the AFC North.
Roethlisberger threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Steelers
overcome their offensive woes and leading them to a 26-21 victory over the
Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night.
Roethlisberger finished 26-of-41, rebounding from an interception on his third
pass that Rashean Mathis returned 72 yards for a score.
His perfect 8-yard fade pass to Hines Ward in the corner of the end zone put the
Steelers ahead 26-21 with 1:53 remaining. Even better were those two passes on
the drive with Jaguars hanging on his shoulder pads: one on the first play and
the other on a critical third down...
Rashean Mathis intercepted Ben Roethlisberger for 72
yards (Josh Scobee made PAT)
0 - 7
5:18
PIT
TD
Ben Roethlisberger passed to Heath Miller to the right
for 1 yard gain (Jeff Reed made PAT)
7 - 7
2:27
JAC
TD
Maurice Jones-Drew rushed up the middle for 1 yard gain
(Josh Scobee made PAT)
7 - 14
2nd Quarter
12:38
PIT
FG
Jeff Reed kicked a 38-yard field goal
10 - 14
9:20
PIT
TD
Ben Roethlisberger passed to Nate Washington to the left
for 48 yard gain (Jeff Reed made PAT)
17 - 14
0:45
PIT
FG
Jeff Reed kicked a 23-yard field goal
20 - 14
3rd Quarter
NONE
20 - 14
4th Quarter
14:05
JAC
TD
David Garrard passed to Marcedes Lewis down the middle
for 24 yard gain (Josh Scobee made PAT)
20 - 21
1:53
PIT
TD
Ben Roethlisberger passed to Hines Ward to the right for
8 yard gain (2pt attempt failed, Ben Roethlisberger pass to Heath
Miller)
26 - 21
Team Statistics
PIT
JAC
First Downs
25
13
Passing
17
9
Rushing
6
2
Penalty
2
2
Third Down Efficiency
7-15
3-13
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-0
2-4
TOTAL NET YARDS
415
213
Total Plays
70
54
Average Gain Per Play
5.9
3.9
NET YARDS RUSHING
129
38
Rushes
26
19
Average Per Rush
5.0
2.0
NET YARDS PASSING
286
175
Completions-Attempts
26-41
18-32
Yards Per Pass Play
6.5
5.0
Times Sacked
3
3
Yards Lost to Sacks
23
25
Had Intercepted
1
0
PUNTS
4
5
Average Punt
49.5
46.6
PENALTIES
10
8
Penalty Yards
129
89
FUMBLES
0
1
Fumbles Lost
0
0
TIME OF POSSESSION
33:23
26:37
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
With an injury report that seems to be growing each week, the
Pittsburgh Steelers' physical style of football appears to be catching up to
them. They've had a tough enough time catching up to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After losing twice at home to the Jaguars last season -
including a playoff defeat - Pittsburgh will have revenge on its mind in
Jacksonville on Sunday night as it looks to avoid a fifth straight loss to its
former AFC Central rival...more
Notable:
The Steelers enter Week 5 with a half-game lead over Baltimore in the
AFC North.
The Jags, who have won
last two games by a combined five points, also have a four-game winning
streak against Pittsburgh
The Steelers will be without running back Willie Parker (knee sprain),
and lost backup Rashard Mendenhall (shoulder) for the year in Monday's 23-20
overtime win over the Ravens Pittsburgh also lost guard Kendall Simmons
(Achilles) for the season against Baltimore. Steelers defensive linemen
Casey Hampton (groin) and Brett Keisel (knee) will be out as well.
Safety Reggie Nelson (knee), center
Brad Meester (biceps) and guard Chris Naeole (knee) are all considered
doubtful for Jacksonville, while linebacker Justin Durant (groin) is
questionable.
INJURIES MOUNTING UP FOR STEELERS
Sportinglife.com
The Steelers have lost each of their past four meetings
to the Jaguars, including a first-round play-off defeat in January. The
former AFC Central rivals ...
A special honor for ReedSteelers.com
20.2
12.5