What a great night to be a Steelers fan....have so many mixed emotions.....I remember Terry Bradshaw's last game on the road vs the NY Jets in what would be the last NFL game ever played at Shea Stadium when Bradshaw came off the bench to throw 2 TD passes despite his arm being completely trashed and playing in pain to propel the Steelers into the playoffs. This one hits me even harder because I know now Ben's not coming back to the Steelers in 2022. I'm honored to have witnessed his entire career as a Steeler and never missed a game. Seeing him walk the field and greet the fans and take it all in after the final kneel down was really cool. He really appreciates the fans and the city of Pittsburgh which is home for him. I got pretty emotional watching his kids and wife come onto the field seeing his kids run to their dad (knowing they just know him as dad).....it puts everything in perspective as a fan when you see someone like Big Ben as just a person and not an NFL player. On the game itself it wasn't a great night statistically for Ben but it sure was great to see him go out a winning QB at Heinz Field in his last home game of his career. I'm not sure who or what happened to the O-line tonight but they were firing off their blocks and blowing Cleveland's front 7 off the Line of Scrimmage most of the game. JC Hassenhauer certainly seemed to make a difference this week filling in for Kendrick Green. I tried to pay very close attention to the Steelers O-line tonight and they dominated tonight. I saw Hassenhauer and Leglue both get to the second level on their blocking several times tonight and opened up some good running lanes for Najee Harris who ran like a man possessed tonight and he had his best game yet as a pro in his rookie year. If Trai Turner's injury prevents him from playing next week I'm almost wondering if the Steelers plug Kendrick Green in at Right Guard next week. TJ Watt was a HOUSE OF FIRE tonight finishing with 4 more sacks to give him 21.5 on the season with one game to go. And to think TJ Watt has missed 3 games this season with injury. If the guy doesn't win DPOY this season there is something wrong! The guy was a complete game wrecker tonight...4 sacks 2 batted balls. Watt was getting held on almost every play tonight....he should have had one more sack and would have if the RT didn't grab hold of him. Unfortunately for Watt, Alex Highsmith on the other side got there for the sack. Cam Heyward also is worth mentioning I can't believe how high a level he is playing at in his 11th season. Loudermilk is really starting to come into his own on the D-line....Alot of people said he was a reach but I'm sure glad he's a Steeler. Combine him with Montravius Adams and the Steelers have 2 good, young promising D-linemen. Also no disrespect to Pressley Harvin but Corliss Waitman has won this punting job IMO and he should be our new punter going forward. I don't think this team is that far off from bring a serious contender but without Big Ben next season the Steelers have a GIANT missing puzzle piece to put in place and right now I don't feel the Steelers have a QB on this roster who can fill that void. Maybe, just maybe a miracle will happen next Sunday and it won't be Big Ben's last game as a Steeler. Seeing him choking back tears during the Post Game Interview really got to me, I must be getting soft in my old age. I just hope it's not another 23 years before the Steelers land another Franchise QB.
Post Game Per Tomlin's Presser:
Trai Turner has a knee injury that will be evaluated
Game Balls:
Ben Roethlisberger - Thank you for 18 wonderful seasons as the Steelers QB. I watched every game....can't believe this is the end......GO THRASH THE RATBIRDS ONE LAST TIME!
Najee Harris - 188 yds rushing, 3 rec 18 yds receiving......best game as a pro.
TJ Watt - a complete game wrecker....4 sacks giving him 21.5 on the season with 1 game to go to break Strahan's single season sack record.
Alex Highsmith - 2 sacks, 7 tackles......nice to see he's still improving after 2 seasons at OLB
Cameron Heyward - had a sack tonight and 2 batted balls, he really has dominated all season
Chris Boswell - he was money tonight 4 FG's including a 48 & 50 yd FG
Corliss Waitman - This guy should be our new punter going forward....far better than Harvin and it's not even close! Sorry Pressley
Game Goats:
Dionte Johnson - dropped several throws that he should have caught. He looked like Dionte 2020 tonight
Chase Claypool - Yup he belongs here too.....flopping all over the field and not making catches.
FU's:
FU to the Clowns & their Fans - HELLO CLEVELAND! HELLO CLEVELAND! Baker Mayfield is the perfect franchise QB for The Clowns! I hope he signs a 10 year Extension! A TURNOVER MACHINE HE IS!
