The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the second half down 16-10 against the Miami Dolphins. The fact that the game is still one-possession is a minor miracle after the lopsided first quarter.
Kenny Pickett led a 13 play touchdown drive that started at Pittsburgh’s own 14 yard line. George Pickens had a big impact on that drive with 4 receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown.
START OF 3RD QUARTER.
Gunner Olszewski returned the kickoff to the 27 yard line.
On 1st and 10, Najee Harris was tackled for a one yard loss. On 2nd, Pickett was sacked for an 11 yard loss. 3rd and 22 is not an ideal start to the half. Pickett complete to Jaylen Warren for a 10 yard gain, but well short of the line to gain.
Pressley Harvin had a slightly above average punt of 47 yards. The Dolphins get the ball at their own 28 after the fair catch.
Raheem Mostert picked up just 1 yard on 1st down. On 2nd and 9, Mostert gained another 7 off left tackle. 3rd and 2, a short pass to Jaylen Waddle and he ran long for 25 yards. After winning on 3rd and 4th down last week, the Steelers defense is struggling tonight.
Mostert picked up another 18 yards the next play. Now just outside the red zone.
Eight yards gained on the first two plays sets up 3rd and short. The Dolphins burn their first timeout of the half. On 3rd, Cam Heyward tackled Edmonds for a loss in the backfield. The Dolphins get aggressive and opt to go for it. Another one yard loss from Edmonds, this time stuffed by Myles Jack and Larry Ogunjobi. A huge turnover on downs for the Steelers’ defense. Mike Tomlin is fired up on the sideline.
The first down pass from Pickett was incomplete intended for Diontae Johnson. The 2nd down pass was complete to Johnson though and gained 12 to convert a fresh set of downs.
On 1st and 10, Pickett back to Johnson for the third straight target, complete for 6 yards. Johnson banged up a bit on the play. He is being evaluated on the field, but it doesn’t look too serious from the television view. Reportedly a knee or left leg injury, but he walked off on his own. Standing on the sideline, but he seems to be okay.
The 2nd down pass to Najee Harris was good for just one yard. Back to Najee with a short pass on 3rd and 3, gaining just 2. 4th and 1 upcoming, but it might be best just to punt. Unfortunate to waste a chance to take the lead.
Pressley Harvin’s punt was fair caught at the 21 yard line, travelled 43 through the air. Once again an average-at-best punt.
Devin Bush stuffed the 1st down rush by Raheem Mostert for a loss of 1 yard. 2nd and 11, deep incompletion from Tua, nearly picked off by Terrell Edmunds. 3rd and 11, a short completion to Tyreek Hill for just 4 yards – a good job by Tre Norwood to tackle the catch.
Frustrating three dropped interceptions for the Steelers today. One for Levi Wallace, one for Cam Sutton, and one for Terrell Edmunds.
The punt went 44 yards, returned 7 by Gunner Olszewski to the 39. The Steelers start with decent field position.
Najee Harris rushed for two yards on 1st down. Ineligible downfield on James Daniels wiped out a short gain by Pat Freiermuth. 2nd and 13, Pickett complete to Diontae Johnson (back from brief injury scare). OPI called on Johnson. 2nd and 23 now and backed up deep in their own territory. 2nd and 23 went for just 7 yards on a check down to Jaylen Warren. Brandon Jones injured on the play. 3rd and 16 after the brief stoppage. Pickett stepped up and tried to rush for another conversion, but he was met at the line of scrimmage. Van Ginkel was the spy on that play.
Pressley Harvin’s punt went just 36 yards this time. Another subpar outing for Harvin and this one might be his last with the team. He is running out of excuses.
On 1st and 10, Mostert rushed for 2 yards. On 2nd, Tua incomplete intended for Jaylen Waddle. 3rd and 8, where the Steelers have struggled today, Tua scrambled for 7 yards. He was stopped just short, but Miami likes to go for these. They decide to punt, fair caught by Olszewski at the 18 yard line.
The Steelers live to fight another drive, somehow.
Najee Harris rushed for 16 yards on 1st down off the right end. 1st and 10, Najee off right tackle for just three.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: 16-10 DOLPHINS.
A scoreless third quarter, but the Steelers are in the middle of their 4th drive in a row with a chance to take the lead.
2nd and 7 to begin the 4th quarter, Pickett complete to Connor Heyward who gained 6 yards. 3rd and 1, Harris was stuffed for no gain. Pressley Harvin’s punt went 45 yards to the Miami 12 yard line.
The Steelers are slowly winning the field position battle, but with an explosive play offense like the Dolphins’ it might not pay off in the long run to get into this type of game.
On 1st and 10 from their own 12, Tua complete to Tyreek Hill for 16 yards. Erasing the field position advantage in one play.
Chase Edmonds up the middle for 2 yards on 1st down. On 2nd, an incompletion to Edmonds. Alex Highsmith ran past the sack. 3rd and 8, a completion to Mike Gesicki for 4. The Dolphins forced to punt. A nice 53 yard punt returned by Gunner Olszewski for 10 yards. Steelers get their 5th go-ahead opportunity starting at their own 23.
On 1st and 10, Najee Harris gained 2 off the right end. Kenny Pickett with the shovel pass to Zach Gentry to gain 4. 3rd and 4, the stadium is loud, Kenny Pickett realigning his offense before the snap. Incomplete on 3rd, with Claypool looking for a flag.
Pressley Harvin saved his best punt for the 4th, going 56 yards. Derek Watt with the special teams tackle. Miami gets the ball at their own 15 yard line. At this point, a timely sack or turnover could decide the outcome of the game.
The first down play goes to Tyreek hill for 9 yards. On 2nd, Mostert off left tackle for 12 yards.
1st and 10 from the 36 yard line, Mostert again for 8 yards. On 2nd he lost a yard, tackled by Ryan Anderson. On 3rd and 3, an incompletion to Tyreek Hill with Terrell Edmunds in coverage. The 4th down punt was fair caught at the Pittsburgh 18.
The last scoring drive started from the 14 – does Pickett have another drive like that in him? The primetime game is coming to a close. This is where players make a name for themselves.
Najee Harris rushed for 4 yards on first down. A short pass to Diontae Johnson was good for 6 yards. Illegal contact called on the Dolphins. Automatic first down. The Steelers burned their first timeout of the half to avoid the delay of game. Mike Tomlin looked angered by this on the sideline.
On 1st and 10, Pickett complete to Pat Freiermuth for 13 yards. The next play, incomplete pass intended for Najee Harris on the attempted check down, dropped by Harris. 2nd and 10, Pickett incomplete to Chase Claypool. On 3rd and 10, Pickett found Chase Claypool who turned up field to gain 12 yards and a first down.
1st and 10, now in Dolphins’ territory, Pickett complete to George Pickens for 9 yards. In the no-huddle trying to trap the Dolphins in this package. On 2nd, Pickett again to Pickens for 5 yards. Pickett being praised by Cris Collinsworth
1st and 10, a deep incompletion to Pat Freiermuth. He nearly caught it, but ultimately dropped the ball. On 2nd and 9, Pickett to Claypool for 10 yards. Raekwon Davis injured on the play.
1st and 10 from the 24, just outside the red zone, Najee Harris up the middle for a gain of 7. Terrible towels took over the crowd. On 2nd and 3, Harris up the middle for 1 yard. An important 3rd and 1 upcoming with under 4:00 in regulation. Kenny Pickett kept it himself and snuck up the middle to convert, but an illegal shift backs them up to 3rd and 6. Mike Tomlin very displeased standing on the sideline.
On a crucial 3rd and 6, in a very loud stadium, Pickett scrambled for 5 yards. Holding called on Dan Moore. He was short of the first down, but Miami plays it safe. 3rd and 16, and moving in the wrong direction.
Kenny Pickett targeted Diontae Johnson, but the ball was intercepted. Pickett had to push the defender out of bounds to kill the return. The 2nd longest drive of the day for the Steelers was killed by penalties and ultimately an interception.
On 1st and 10, Mostert up the middle for 4 yards. Timeout #2 by Pittsburgh. On 2nd and 6, a three yard rush for Mostert. Timeout #3 called by Mike Tomlin. The 3rd down pass was incomplete, but Levi Wallace was hurt on the play. The Steelers should get about 2:35 and no timeouts to win this game. Their 7th straight go-ahead drive chance.
The punt was fair caught by Gunner Olszewski at the 13 yard line. One more yard needed than their touchdown drive from earlier.
On 1st and 10, a completion to Pat Freiermuth for 7 yards. With the clock running down towards the two minute warning, Pickett went back to Freiermuth for an 8 yard gain.
TWO MINUTE WARNING.
The Dolphins’ secondary is banged up and probably tired at this point in the game after killing a long drive minutes ago. 72 yards needed, 2:00 remaining.
The first down pass attempt fell incomplete. Pickett threw the ball away under pressure. On 2nd, Pickett tried to scramble up the middle, but was stopped for no gain. On 3rd and 10, Pickett hit Chase Claypool across the middle for 4 yards. 4th and 6, Pat Freiermuth caught a 21 yard pass deep in the middle of the field.
Pickett and the offense killed the clock by spiking the ball on 1st with 00:48 remaining. On 2nd and 10, Pickett complete to Diontae Johnson for 14 yards. He got out of bounds to kill the clock.
Another quick pass underneath to Pat Freiermuth for 8 more yards on 1st. Still in bounds, Pickett tried a deep pass, but it was intercepted in the end zone. Pickett maybe could have scrambled for several yards there. Game over.
That was seven straight chances for Kenny Pickett and the Steelers’ offense to take the lead. They moved down the field well a couple times, but crushing interceptions for Pickett ruin his primetime debut.
Just the 2nd game of the season to have zero 2nd half scores.
Thank you for joining us on Steelers Depot for the game.
END OF GAME: 16-10 DOLPHINS.
