Pittsburgh Steelers chalk up a memorable 24 point 2nd quarter and a clutch steel wall defense to silence J.J. Watts and the Houston Texans 30-23 on Monday Night Football

The game was billed as J.J. Watts' last national NFL telecast performance for this year. While J.J. Watts would once again put up monster numbers on defense, totaling one sack, one fumble recovery and three tackles, he would be out-shined by fellow #99, Steelers Defensive Tackle Brett Keisel. Keisel would make his mark on the game, as would the fortunate Steelers offense. In an almost improbable barrage of quick Touchdown strikes and shut down defensive play, the Pittsburgh Steelers would, in retrospect, hammer in the nails of the coffin for a Houston Texans team that let this game slip away, one big nail after the other.

ESPN's Scott Brown would explain in his article about Pittsburgh's much needed victory on Monday Night Football, the Steelers could have well changed their season around with a remarkable close to the first half of the game. Brown makes the parable of the likelihood of scoring 21 points in just two minutes of possession at the very end of the half to come back from a ten point disparity would be tantamount to 'cows flying over Heinz Field'. Nevertheless, retrospectively looking at the Steeler's previous two games shows only a touchdown a piece in offensive productivity respectively against the Cleveland Browns and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite a stagnant season and dilapidated offensive efficiency, the Steelers came alive at the end of the first half against the Texans on both sides of the field.

The Steelers' star of the night, Brett Keisel, would come up big via forcing an incompletion on third down from Houston's QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and ensuing punt. Trailing 13-3, Steeler's Ben Roethlisberger (QB)would connect with Martavis Bryant two plays later for a 35 yard touchdown. Another Pittsburgh takeaway would lead to a well developed and equally deceptive 3 yard Antonio Brown TD strike to fellow receiver Lance Moore. Keisel would come up huge with a fortunate interception thanks to a heads up play from Lawrence Timmons. Keisel gave Big Ben great field position to laser in a two yard TD to Le'Veon Bell. Those 21 points and a rare but brilliant burst of Steelers' dominance would prove too much for the Houston Texans, whom never regained the lead after the onslaught.

After the game, many Pittsburgh players appeared notably relieved. Ben Roethlisberger carried a tone of relief and near disbelief while recounting the late second quarter comeback. Brett Keisel, the 36 year old veteran who was resigned (reluctantly) by the Steelers in late August, was quick to dispel the celebration and was quoted on Pittsburgh's struggles and focus after the game, "We can't just win and lose one, win and lose one...We've got to be able to have the same urgency after a win as we have after a loss." While there is a tone of relief in the 4-3 Pittsburgh locker-room, the Steelers are well aware of the trials and battles ahead. Nonetheless, a revitalizing overall performance for the Steelers will create pressure for the Cincinnati Bengals (3-2-1) and the Baltimore Ravens (5-2), respectively second and first in the AFC North. Pittsburgh, currently 3rd in the division, is in a dogfight just to find their way to a playoff spot in the AFC conference. As Scott Brown alludes, despite an uphill battle, improbability can breed positive results, everything seems incredible in retrospect, and right now the Pittsburgh Steelers look back to their formidable former selves.


References:

http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/9948/brett-keisels-key-plays-turn-j-j-watt-into-the-other-no-99-in-steelers-win

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Brett Keisel: Paula Lively