It wasn’t a pretty first half for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they hold a 14-7 lead and get the ball back after halftime against the Seattle Seahawks. Injuries are starting to pile up on defense as Isaiahh Loudermilk and Patrick Queen both got dinged up. Queen was able to return with a rib injury, but he’s probably dealing with some pain.
The Steelers’ offense hasn’t been able to find a groove other than some minor success on the ground, but they managed to turn a Cam Heyward-assisted interception for Nick Herbig into eight points with a long return and a touchdown pass to DK Metcalf.
START OF 2ND HALF
Kaleb Johnson only made it back to the 17-yard line on the kick return.
1st and 10, Jaylen Warren’s smooth footwork picked up four. 2nd and 6, complete to Jonnu Smith for five yards. 3rd and 1, Warren up the middle to convert.
1st and 10, Gainwell around the left end for 5 yards. 2nd and 5, complete to Smith for three yards. 3rd and 2, incomplete pass and holding called on Troy Fautanu. The penalty was declined. The punt went 64 yards for a touchback.
1st and 10, Kenneth Walker off left tackle for 9 yards. 2nd and 1, Walker up the middle for 15 yards.
1st and 10, Patrick Queen in on the tackle for a loss of 1. His ribs are clearly bothering him still. 2nd and 11, complete to Elijah Arroyo for 7 yards. 3rd and 4, complete to Kupp over the middle for 17 yards with Jalen Ramsey in coverage. Ramsey fought to rip the ball out, but no luck.
1st and 10, play-action pass to Kupp over the middle for 16 yards.
1st and 10, Walker up the middle for 5 yards. 2nd and 5, Walker up the middle for 5 yards. The Steelers are going to need another turnover or two to win this game.
1st and goal, Darnold complete to A.J. Barner for a touchdown. 14-14 Even.
The kickoff made it back to the 30-yard line.
1st and 10, Rodgers escaped pressure and found Jaylen Warren for a huge gain. He broke four or five tackles for an enormous gain of 65 yards.
1st and goal, incomplete pass an Rodgers took a big shot. 2nd and goal, Gainwell up the middle for 1 yard. 3rd and goal from the 4, Rodgers escaped pressure and tried to thread one in for Calvin Austin III. It bounced and was intercepted by Derion Kendrick for a touchback. What a wasted opportunity for the Steelers.
1st and 10, Charbonnet around the right end for no gain with a nice play by Patrick Queen. 2nd and 10, Darnold hit hard as he hurled it downfield for an incomplete pass. The Seahawks burned a timeout with trouble getting lined up. The Steelers took each other out in the backfield for a would-be sack, but Darnold stumbled on nothing and threw the ball away. The punt went just 41 yards to the 39.
1st and 10, Rodgers had to dirt the ball under pressure. 2nd and 10, Warren around the left end for no gain. 3rd and 10, complete to Jonnu Smith for 9 yards. They opted to punt. Waitman pinned them at the 9-yard line.
1st and 10, complete to Kupp for 7 yards. 2nd and 3, Walker nearly tackled for a loss, but picked up the first down on second effort.
1st and 10, Daniel Ekuale batted down the pass. 2nd and 10, screen pass for Smith-Njigba for a gain of 9.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: 14-14 EVEN
3rd and 1, Darnold complete to Kupp to convert. The Seahawks have been excellent on third down.
1st and 10, Kenneth Walker burst around the left end for 20 yards.
1st and 10, Walker up the middle for 3 yards after getting stuck in the backfield initially. 2nd and 7, Darnold nearly sacked with T.J. Watt bringing pressure. 3rd and 7, incomplete pass with Watt bringing pressure. Myers nailed the 54-yard field goal. 17-14 Seahawks.
Kaleb Johnson didn’t know the new kickoff rules and let the ball bounce through the landing zone into the end zone. The Seahawks recovered for a touchdown. That is probably the final nail in the coffin for this game. 24-14 Seahawks.
1st and 10, Rodgers complete to Warren for 2 yards. 2nd and 8, Rodgers complete to Gainwell for 6 yards. 3rd and 2, Rodgers escaped pressure and hit Pat Freiermuth for a 20-yard gain.
1st and 10, Rodgers complete to Metcalf for 9 yards. 2nd and 1, Warren picked up enough to convert.
1st and 10, Rodgers incomplete to Gainwell. 2nd and 10, complete to Gainwell for 4 yards. 3rd and 6, Rodgers tried to scramble and was stopped short. Boswell’s 45-yard attempt is good. 24-17 Seahawks.
1st and 10, Charbonnet was stopped for no gain by Nick Herbig. Seahawks C Jalen Sundell was injured on the play. Olu Oluwatimi is checking into the game. 2nd and 10, Charbonnet up the middle for 1 yard. 3rd and 10, Darnold escaped pressure and dumped it off to Barner to convert.
1st and 10, Darnold dialed up a 43-yard pass to Smith-Njigba with Ramsey in coverage.
1st and goal, Charbonnet stopped for no gain. 2nd and goal, Jack Sawyer got his first NFL sack. 3rd and goal from the 19, Walker broke multiple tackles on his way to the end zone. The defense is cooked. 31-17 Seahawks.
1st and 10, Rodgers held onto the ball for an eon and was sacked by Byron Murphy II. Rodgers was flexing his hand after his follow through hit a helmet. 4th down, Rodgers complete to Calvin Austin III.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
1st and 10, incomplete to Metcalf. 2nd and 10, Rodgers flipped the ball out incomplete with no intentional grounding call. Rodgers dialed one up deep and was intercepted by Coby Bryant in the middle of the field. If it wasn’t already over, it is now.
END OF GAME: 31-17 SEAHAWKS
