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

ESPN Indianapolis Colts reporter Mike Wells on why the Colts 33-28 victory against the Houston Texans isn't just Luck, it's a great supporting cast

ESPN's Indianapolis Colts columnist Mike Wells reported on the solid game displayed by the Colts offense and why the game doesn't belong to Luck but rather his stellar cast of offensive weapons. Although the game was dubbed ' J.J. Watts vs. Luck', the two NFL superstars would take a backseat to the splendor that is the Colt's offense. Respectively, J.J. Watts had another strong showing as the defensive juggernaut he is, as would Luck have a great game through the air. Yet, it was the near franchise record game for Colt's T.Y. Hilton that has Mike Wells noticing the emerging pattern of a Super Bowl caliber team with no egos, only playmakers.

Playmakers for the Colts continually are stepping up, making their presence known and feared, all while staying within the scheme and coordination of a well oiled Colts' offensive. This week it was third year Wideout T.Y. Hilton for the Colts who was the showstopper. T.Y. Hilton would put up monster numbers for the game totaling 9 reception for 223 yards and one touchdown. In fact, Hilton would boast an 147 yards in receptions just in the first quarter, which is the most yards by any Colt since 1991. Hilton was just one yard shy last night of surpassing Raymon Berry's franchise record for receiving yards in a game. Hilton's 33 yard touchdown nearing the end of the game proved to be the nails in the coffin for the Houston Texans. Despite great individual performances, Mike Wells explains that this Colts team, which he believes has the best supporting cast Luck has had the fortune to play with, consists of individual playmakers who collectively understand having big games depends on what defense's are scheming and exploiting those schemes with strong talent varied throughout the Colts' deadly offense.

Wells has seen the type of play exhibited by the Colts and sees a Super Bowl bound team not only wanting control of the AFC South (now one full game ahead of the Texans on top of their division) but to dominate game in and game out. For the last four consecutive wins, Wells has seen the heroes and playmakers be divvied up between huge games from Reggie Wayne (WR), runningbacks Ahmad Bradshaw and Trent Richardson or their respectable smash mouth defense. Last night it was all T.Y. Hilton. As Mike Wells retells, the Colts have only one goal in mind and that's not how many stats they can throw up on the board, but rather how many exploitative favorable match-ups of the defense they can create. The Colts locker-room is cohesive on this philosophy, as Colts' Tight End Coby Fleener explains what makes the Colts such a headache to deal with:

"We've been saying it all year that we're going to do our best and take what teams give us...If that means throwing to T.Y. for 200 yards, we'll do it. If it means running the ball every play, we'll do it. There's no 'can't do' in this offense...There's going to be some nights where you are the main attraction and some nights where you aren't the main attraction...You have to understand it's the team above individuals, and that's how it should be and that's how it is here."

While the Colts may have had a rough two loss start to the season, the game-plan and focus displayed by the Colts should have many fans hopeful and the opposition worried. With a cerebral and selfless leader at QB, Andrew Luck, combined with a sharp and talented class of both offensive and defensive weapons, the Colts are emerging to the archetype of superior NFL play in this 2014-2015 season.

References:

http://espn.go.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/8199/colts-continue-to-prove-they-have-a-supporting-cast-around-luck

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Indianapolis Colts Offense (Huddle): Jeffrey Beall