Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger moved into a third-place tie with Don Shula and Dan Marino for the most wins in NFL history by a coach and starting quarterback. It was their 116th victory together last night as the Steelers came from behind to knock off the Giants 26-16.
In his return from the elbow surgery that ended his season last year after just two games, Big Ben threw three touchdown passes, tying him for eighth all-time with retired Giants’ QB Eli Manning, with 366. Roethlisberger was rusty for most of the first half, but kicked in gear when the Steelers went to the two-minute offense late in the first half. He finished 21-of-32 for 229 yards, with two touchdown passes to Juju Smith-Schuster and one to James Washington.
Often-injured running back James Conner left the game left with an ankle injury in the second quarter after gaining 9 yards on 6 carries. He was replaced by Benny Snell Jr., who rushed for 113 yards on 19 carries. Smith-Schuster caught six passes for 69 yards and two scores in the season-opening win.
In addition to Conner, the Steelers lost guard Stefen Wisniewski and tackle Zach Banner from the right side of the offensive line. Wisniewski was playing in place of injured starter David DeCastro and left with a pectoral injury. Banner suffered a potentially serious knee injury.
The Steelers defense held Giants star runner Saquon Barkley to only 6 yards rushing on 13 carries, sacked quarterback Daniel Jones three times, and picked off two passes, one by TJ Watt and one by Cam Heyward in the Steelers’ end zone.
Coach Mike Tomlin says the win was great, but there is a lot of room for improvement for the Steelers.
Tomlin said they had no problem adjusting to the empty stadium.
Roethlisberger said he was just glad to be playing football again.
Big Ben said he was impressed by the Steelers’ stifling defense.
Giants’ running back Saquon Barkley said there was just no place to run against the Steelers’ defense.
The Steelers will open their home schedule on Sunday when they welcome the Broncos, who lost to the Titans, 16-14, last night.
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