Great win, and a confidence boost. On Mean Joe Greene’s day, the Steelers got fired up and were able to have a 3^rd consecutive stellar performance. Not just on the scoreboard, but the way this game was played exposed a developing high-octane offense, and a somehow rejuvenated aggressive defense. Playing against what experts say is a quality defense, avoiding a season sweep by the Ravens (which could have given them the tiebreaker), and being able to stop their offense puts this team on the playoff radar again.

The Steelers have been performing better in recent weeks, and that could be accounted to several reasons: Bryant’s presence in the offense, being a threat and creating space for other receivers, Wheaton stepping up after a bad game he had, James Harrison gaining football form and creating pressure, Tuitt getting more playing time, Vince Williams playing instead of Spence, Cortez Allen being downgraded from starting CB, to 3^rd CB and to the 4^th one.

Get any of those reasons, and couple it with a more aggressive playcalling on both sides of the ball: An offense who is not afraid to throw and spread the ball to its several weapons, or a defense who can create consistent pressure. And that has created the opportunity to create turnovers and get scores after them: Kiesel interception, Gay’s pick-6, McCain’s fumble recovery. All of them, gamechangers.

Offense: Spread the football!

• Coach Haley understood that this was a hard-hitting game, which was much more suited for Blount than Bell (at least while running between the tackles), and pulled Bell from the running game early (who had his worst statistical game this season). Kudos for not insisting on the run, and understanding that, while the Ravens were looking for contact football, the better way to open up the defense was to spread the quality weapons and throw the ball to them.
• Wheaton and Bryant continue their talent display, and have gotten into a nice rhythm with their QB. Somehow unnoticed, not targeted, Heyward-Bey continues to stretch the field, along with Bryant: with both of them going on deep routes, Brown, Wheaton, our TEs and RBs get much more space on shorter routes.  Both Bryant TDs were concentration displays, while Wheaton rushed past their fastest DB. As a receiver, having your QB’s confidence means a lot, and both kids are proving Ben right while throwing in their direction.
• Miller one week, Spaeth the next. While Miller enjoyed a great game against the Colts, Spaeth excelled at blocking all night (sometimes, against Suggs or Dumervil), and got rewarded with a couple of nice grabs: the 2 point conversion and his late TD.
• Antonio Brown plays in his own league. Putting fantasy numbers again, while grabbing his first receiving TD against the Ravens.
• The Offensive line gave up 3 sacks on consecutive snaps, and wasn’t able to open running lanes. On the Brightside: after those sacks occurred, pressure was well managed by them (with help from Bell/Blount and Miller / Spaeth) and allowed Ben to throw for more than 300 yards.
• … And then, there is Ben. Most notably, he has options, and confidence in them. Either it is a close throw for a short 3rd down conversion, a deep ball to one of his younger receivers, a pass in traffic for a 3rd and long, a quick toss to a tight end or putting air under the football for a cross pattern, Ben Roethlisberger has excelled the past couple of weeks. Being supported by a crowded bunch of pass-catchers (receivers, running backs, tight ends) is only accountable if your QB is able to read the defense and locate mismatches, while thrusting his receivers’ ability to go for the football. He’s on a record-breaking roll right now, and should be on his way to a ProBowl berth. After lobbying for getting a tall WR since Plaxico Burres left (yes, it sounds as if we were talking about the Paleolithic Age), he finally got Bryant and is making the most out of him, creating positive side-effects for the rest of the receivers he has.

Defense: And here comes the pressure, episode II. Creating pressure, constantly hitting opposing QBs has made them commit turnovers and force bad throws.

• Steelers’ front 7 was able to stop the run early (Ravens got only 63 rushing yards) and create pressure. If you’re looking for big stats, you won’t find what Heyward, Tuitt, Kiesel & McLendon did for this team: create pressure, close running lanes, hit the QB frequently and help LBs stop the run on critical situations. McCullers was deactivated, but could have been of help in this hard-hitting game, where bigger bodies usually are called on in short-down situations. Still, Tuitt needs to get more and more playing time as the season unfolds.
• While Timmons was, as usual, all over the place and got a sack, Harrison, Moats and Worilds stood up pretty well too: with JH collecting 2 sacks, Moats 1 sack and a forced fumble and Worilds an interception (wonder if he still complains about dropping into coverage too often). It’s not a coincidence that our Defense has been playing better lately: Harrison has gained momentum, and been a factor recently.
• Defensive backs were not exposed, and didn’t allow big plays after giving up the first TD.
• As a Cornerback, if your name isn’t called too often, it’s usually a good thing. And Gay wasn’t targeted often because he had close coverage of his receivers. Blake & McCain also had their moments (with an exception on McCain’s blown coverage on the Raven’s 1^st TD).
• Benching Cortez Allen was a smart move, not giving Flacco a weak link who has been exposed recently. However, Cortez Allen should make his way back to the lineup with playing time the next 2 weeks.
• Polamalu was having a nice game creating pressure from blitzes. After he went down,  Allen stepped up (and did a nice job), but LeBeau stopped calling Safety blitzes (understandable decision). While Allen had a good game, Shamarko Thomas should have been getting those reps (after all, he’s the future SS of this team). Mike Mitchell wasn’t targeted often, which could be seen as if he was in the right spot of his coverage.

Special Teams

• Coverage blew a couple: allowing a punt to be returned for 25 yards, and kickoff for  a 108 yard – TD. This issue has to be fixed soon, since in a close game that ones could have proven costly. Suisham didn’t attempt a FG, and Brad Wing had a 51 yard punt. But what stood up for our Special Teams was an extra point attempt that featured a muffed snap that ended with Wing’s pass to Spaeth, getting 2 points. Also, after the last extra point Suisham and Wing were pretty fired up and involved into the brawl that was going on, which could be seen as part of the spirit this rivalry has, and expose what’s been happening to this team for the last 3 weeks: team unity.

Next 2 weeks:  @NYJ (1-8), @TEN (2-6). Better not pull the trigger too early, and keep the pedal to the metal on these two games, prior to the Bye Week. Somehow, this team can make it 8-3 to its week 12 Bye, matching their W total from the last 2 seasons…  after just 11 games.

Just Wondering:

• Suddenly, the Steelers are the 3rd team with most points scored this season in the NFL.
• Isn’t it great to see the other team commit the stupid penalties?
• Advice to Flacco: Next time you say you miss someone, be sure you’re not about to face him again soon.
• Advice to Flacco #2: Call Andrew Luck, he can give you the telephone number of the doctor who treated his exact same bruises last week.
• Suggs should have been ejected. He must be hearing from Goodell’s office soon. After his dirty play, penalties were flying all over the field, and he got that started. Hats off to the refs, because they were able to handle this game, which could have gotten out of their hands pretty easily.
• Wish I could get back my old Nintendo, and try those Brown moves on Tecmo Bowl (Madden is great, but will never be the same).
• Speaking about video games: How many of you can throw 6 TD passes in one game, for 2 weeks in a row?
• Was this what Ben envisioned while lobbying for a tall WR? That makes it 5 TDs in 3 games on passes from Ben to Bryant.
• Two close calls  went our way Sunday (3rd down QB sneak, last TD), and Coach Harbaugh will probably say those costed him the game.
• Cortez Allen was not benched for lack of ability, nor lack of reps. He was benched because the lack of confidence in him, and that can only be regained with hard practice, and a couple of big plays when his number is called next time. Here’s hoping to see him rebound big after this slump.
• If Harrison, Moats and Worilds continue to perform, Jarvis Jones can take his time to return.
• If this team somehow wins 10+ games, Antonio Brown will be in MVP consideration (yes, I’ll repeat this weekly), and if this team makes the playoffs, his closest competition could be his QB.
• Can’t resist this one: Take a look at the Divisional standings. Last place: Baltimore Ravens.

By the Numbers:

3^rd consecutive game where the Steelers score more than 20 points in the 2^nd quarter.

12 TD Passes thrown by Roethlisberger the last 2 games, NFL Record.

15 teams have 12 or less TD passes so far this season.

25 Antonio Brown consecutive games with at least 5 receptions-50 yard games, NFL record & counting.

80 Penalties by the Steelers so far this season, leading the NFL.

124 Points scored by the Steelers the past 3 games, half of the Season total of 248.

If your QB throws for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns, with a turnover differential of 0, your bet would be a Win. Get real: No one expected the Steelers to hold the Colts under 24 points. If the Steelers were meant to win this one, it would be with a high-scoring, shootout game. And it was: 1087 yards, 85 points and 9 TD passes came along with 15 penalties and 4 turnovers, being the best performance all-around for the Steelers. A couple of Cornerbacks were the weak links (Allen for the Steelers, Davis for the Colts), while both QBs were able to move the football all over the field.

After the Colts defense allowed opponents to convert only 4-of-41 3^rd downs  (9.8%)  in their previous four games, the Steelers converted 61% (8/13) of them while scoring on 6 drives, holding on to the football for almost 40 minutes. Hitting Luck all day long, he missed 19 passes (completing 57%) and threw two interceptions: a pick-six by Gay, and a late toss to the endzone intercepted by the Steelers 5^th CB (Taylor, Allen, Gay, McCain before him).

Offense: How about spreading the football? Coach Haley and Ben were able to spread the football to 9 players, 8 of them contributing one way or another (3^rd down conversions, TD receptions, lone exception of Heyward-Bey, with only 1 catch and a fumble).

• TDs, not FGs: The Steelers had 11 offensive drives, 6 resulting in touchdowns, 3 others ending in Colts territory (2 punts, 1 fumble), and only 2 drives stalled in Steelers territory: one 3 & out and a fumble. This is how it looked: TD, TD, TD, TD, blocked punt (IND 34), TD, 3 & out-punt, fumble, fumble (IND 5), TD, punt.
• A total of 639 yards on offense lifted the Steelers game. Credit to Coach Haley, who managed to have his offense hold the football for almost 40 minutes, scoring TDs instead of FGs while sustaining long drives kept the scoreboard high, without lending the football to Luck and the Colts.
• Ben at his best: 522 yards, 6 TDs, spreading the ball to 9 receivers, 80% completions (40-49), no sacks and no interceptions. 14 times in NFL history a QB has passed for more than 500 yards. Roethlisberger is the only one to appear twice on that list (and won both games). Credit his playcalling, quick release and ability to avoid tackles.
• Antonio Brown had an average game for his standard: 10 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TDs. Stood out as a critical situational playmaker, as usual. Early MVP candidate?
• Bryant and Wheaton have become a growing force for this team. Bryant can stretch the field, and that will benefit Brown. One of them will draw double coverage, and  benefit the other and Wheaton. Also, great contribution from Lance Moore, for the 2^nd game in a row. Keep an eye on Moore and Wheaton against the Ravens: If we ignite our offense, Brown and Bryant will get most of their defensive attention.
• Heath Miller had his best performance since his injury a couple of seasons ago. That catch and run for 49 yards… epic, for several reasons. He proved himself that he can run half the football field! No one was expecting a record-breaking speed, but that seemed to be a slow motion play.
• Saving the best for the last: Offensive line had a monster game, by far, their best this season. Keeping Ben clean was critical to win this game and make him a 500+ yd passer, once again. Barely pressured, Ben was able to take his reads and throw without feeling the heat. All 5 starters understood Indianapolis’ pressure, and were able to pick them up. Adams stood out, and could be on his way to stay with the first team. Gilbert can, could, should, must… be the one with the short end.

Defense: LeBeau strikes back. Excelled on playcalling to get to Luck, who was a human-piñata for this Defense.

• Playing with an early big lead let LeBeau be aggressive: Since the 2nd quarter, the Colts almost forgot to run the football, even when the Steelers played their base-defense close-to-none. Easily predictable passing situations meant more blitzes, 5 men pressures (one of them coming from the LB or DB units) and an avoiding big plays scheme, which worked. Slow down a high – octane offense is only possible if you keep getting on the opposing QB. Credit to Coach LeBeau for taking this approach.
• Our DL was not really tested against the run, giving up only 63 yards rushing (26 of them on Luck’s scarmbles). This unit played mostly with Heyward and Kiesel, with Thomas, Tuitt and McCullers having also playing time. Most of the pressure was generated by our Defensive Linemen, and a couple of sacks by this unit were negated by penalties (sounds familiar?). Cam Thomas can be the odd-man out from this unit as the season evolves.
• All 6 LBs with extended playtime had hits either on Luck or one of his receivers: Shazier, Timmons,  Williams, Harrison, Worilds an Moats played vintage Steelers football, while our defense aligned with 7 men in the line of scrimmage, confusing the Colts offensive line and resulting in pressure all game on Luck. Credit Coach LeBeau for it. Yes, Luck moved the football and scored, but also was picked, hurried, hit, stopped and forced into mistakes.
• Vince Williams played on 36 snaps, while Spence in 1. Is he the new backup after Shazier / Timmons. Williams has intensity, and this game was suited for him.
• Luck’s 3 TD passes: First one, over Timmons (who got no help from Polamalu), 2^nd and 3^rd ones over Cortez Allen (last one, with late help from Polamalu). Even while being the 3^rd CB, Cortez Allen still is the weak link on this defense and performed as the most targeted DB, with Luck having success throwing on his side. Can Gay-McCain-Blake become a CB package on its way for next Sunday? If so, what will happen with C Allen’s recent contract? Makes us remember the season in which Coach Cowher benched Ike, due to poor performance, making him rebound as a shutdown cornerback.
• Had anyone really thought that Ike’s absence could create such a problem on our pass defense? As his return timetable is still unclear, his comeback is something on which Coach LeBeau will be benefited.
• Polamalu was out of spot, once again, frequently. Is his lack of chemistry with the rest of Steelers Defensive backs showing up? He isn’t familiar with them, but most important: some of them are not used to play with an over-aggressive SS. He has been the main victim of Ike’s absence. It was nice to see him get a sack.
• Mike Mitchell continues to play as a center fielder, without fielding the football. Even though he’s not a ball hawk, his conservative approach (read both bullets above) can be a consequence of his lack of understanding of his SS teammate.
• Giving up 34 points will not make your winning chances improve, unles you have

Next up: Ravens, at Jets, at Titans. Even though a 3-0 is possible and would be great (to make it an 8-3 record going into the Bye week), a 2-1 can make this team a stretch contender at 7-4.

Here’s hoping to see a great game vs Baltimore, while repeating the dose on them with a consistently aggressive play calling on both sides of the ball: Flacco being pressured and hit frequently, and their pass defense being challenged by Coach Haley. Beware of their long passes looking for a mistake (coverage error, penalty). They usually have success against us on those plays (most of the time, getting a referee’s call).

After that game, I see a couple of very beatable opponents, which could boost our record (and playoff chances).

Just Wondering:

• Looking for Ben’s HOF credentials? Add this to his already impressive resume: Two 500+ yard games (only QB to feature that), Six 400+ yard games, 4^th QB in NFL history to win 100 of his first 150 games.
• I’ll say this weekly: if this team somehow ends with 10 or more wins, Antonio Brown will be in MVP consideration late in the season.
• Is Gilbert now a backup? Welcome back, Mike Adams.
• So many times has Ben kicked from a long shotgun formation, that someone has figured it out.
• Going for it on that last 4^th and 1, instead of kicking a FG, was a wise move. That play had 4 options, and Ben made a good read on them.
• How many pro-bowlers do the Steelers have on its roster?
• Was that Kiesel interception a Season turnaround?
• Wonder if Andrew Luck was ever hit like that before. Nice to see the Steelers give him a welcome to the NFL.
• Nice to read Coach Cowher praising Big Ben. Was he trying to motivate the Steelers with his comments 3 weeks ago? If so, it worked. Tell him we need that this week too!
• Harrison and Kiesel looked a couple of years younger. Is Harrison making a case to keep his roster spot once J Jones is back (probably after the Bye).
• Colbert should be wondering if there’s still a chance to have a mulligan over Gilbert and Allen’s contracts… or working out the cost of cutting them?
• Has there ever been a slower 50 yard completion than Miller’s?
• Why hadn’t Martavis Bryant been activated earlier this season?
• Wheaton finally scored, while this game gave him a confidence boost (and a boost too to Haley’s and Ben’s confidence in him).
• 3 long balls to Bryant per game = 1 big play? Reception or pass interference calls can be on their way the next couple of games. Watch out!
• Memo to coach Haley: Impressive performance. Still, redemption game comes next week.
• Memo #2 to coach Haley: the Ravens will be without their top CB, don’t hesitate going deep on them and spreading the football over the field.

By the Numbers:

1^st game this season where Roethlisberger isn’t sacked.

2 500 yard games for Ben Roethlisberger (only player in NFL history to do so).

7 Straight games with more than 100 yards from scrimmage for Le’veon Bell.

9 Steelers players caught a pass.

23 Antonio Brown consecutive games with at least 5 receptions-50 yard games, NFL record & counting.

28 points scored in the 2^nd quarter by the Steelers against Indy, following a 24 point- 2^nd quarter against Houston.

39:43 Steelers time of possession against league leader in this category.

73 Penalties for the Steelers this season, (Leading the NFL).

1087 yards of total offense by both teams.