So weird. So sad. So embarrassing.
– This was just the fifth 30-15 final score in NFL history. And the second one the Pittsburgh Steelers have ever been involved in. They had a victory by that score on November 22nd, 1998, over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
– This was Ben Roethlisberger’s first 30+ attempt, < 200 yard performance in a loss since the opener against Tennessee in 2013.
Statistically, you could argue this was his worst game since a 2009 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals or a 2006 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
– Darrius Heyward-Bey’s 60 yard TD equals the number of 60+ yard runs Le’Veon Bell has in his career. Bell did not score on his play, however.
DHB joins Willie Parker and Kordell Stewart (who did it twice) to have 60+ yard rushing touchdowns since 1994. Smaller list than I would’ve guessed.
– He also joins Martavis Bryant in 2015, Hines Ward in 2004, and Troy Edwards in 2001 as receivers with rushing touchdowns in the Kevin Colbert era.
– Le’Veon Bell had his fewest carries in a game he was fully healthy for since November 2nd, 2014, when he had 10 against Baltimore. He had 10 today, too.
The only time he’s had less in a game came last year against the Bengals when he was injured mid-way through the game.
– Cobi Hamilton caught his first pass in a game since Novemebr 23rd, 2012 when he was a senior at Arkansas. And his first touchdown since November 17th of that year when he caught a 30 yard touchdown from Tyler Wilson against Mississippi State.
Hamilton caught a TD in four different games that year. Arkansas lost all four. That trend/curse continued today.
– Bell is on pace for 86 receptions this year, which would be his, and a franchise, personal best.
– Meanwhile, Antonio Brown is on pace for: 109 receptions, 1296 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Still great numbers but far from AB like in catches and yards.
– Only twice in the last two seasons has Ryan Tannehill not been sacked. Earlier this year to New England and today against Pittsburgh.
– Tyler Matakevich didn’t look like he played well but somehow led the team with nine tackles.
– Dolphins’ running back Jay Ajayi ran for 204 yards on 25 carries today. He becomes the fifth running back since 1960 to do go over that mark against Pittsburgh. He joins: Fred Taylor (2000), Joe Morris (1985), OJ Simpson (1975), and John David Crow (1960) as the others.
Only David Crow did it on fewer carries than Ajayi’s 25.
Funny enough, this occurrence seems pretty cyclical for Pittsburgh. It’s happened in 15, 10, 15, and now 16 year intervals. 200+ rushing performances are like cicadas.
– The Dolphins are the first team to rush for over 220 yards in a regular season game since the Jacksonville Jaguars did it in 2007.
