From my side, Mark, that first half, our O-line was just plain stronger than your D. That let the Steelers run. The run let them throw effectively.
It wasn't long into the second half that our O-line got tired, and the Jets D started getting deep in the backfield on every play. Ben was able to fight that off when it was only a couple guys in our backfield, but it wasn't long before you had five guys deep in our backfield.
The absolute best thing that could have happened to the Steelers was that 8 minute plus drive the Jets made late in the game. It gave our O-line the rest they sorely needed, and they went right back to ball control, and the Jets D wasn't getting in the backfield again.
If the Jets score in two minutes instead of 8 on that drive, you guys had a chance.
If I had to boil it down to one thing that made the difference, I think collectively, our guys were just a tiny bit stronger yesterday, and it was what mattered.
I can't think of one single mistake that Tomlin made. Zero. Letting Ben go longarm twice in a row on that second drive of the game was questionable, but that's me. They were up 7-0, got the ball right back, I would have pounded it down the Jet's throat with the running game.
Looking back at that, it may have sapped our O-line's strength when we needed it later in the game, so that makes Tomlin's mistakes zero again.
The Steelers never step on the field without "wanting it more". They never take anything home with them, it's always on the field. That's why I love them sunsab1tches.
The Jets did that yesterday, too. I still can't stand the franchise, and I'll always hope they lose, but they finally earned a little respect from me. I'll give them credit for being a good ball club now. Don't think that ain't hard to admit.
