As expected, the Steelers easily dismissed the hapless Miami Dolphins (0-7) by shutting them out 27-0.
Well, over the last three quarters anyway.
After the first quarter, the Steelers appeared to be en route to become Miami’s first victim, trailing 14-0. And the town was ready to burn.
But the Steelers (3-4) were able to rally and keep their 2019 season on life support by winning 27-14.
Here’s how they did it in this week’s “Feats of Strength.”
Diontae Johnson’s touchdown reception
Including the block by James Washington.
On 3rd & 20…@Rudolph2Mason hits Diontae Johnson down the middle for a 45-yard @steelers TD! @Juiceup__3 #HereWeGo
: #MIAvsPIT on ESPN
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/6BUh9hgbzX pic.twitter.com/Gz8JWPfOW2— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2019
Washington buried Nick Needham at the goal line to get Johnson into the end zone. That pulled the Steelers to within four points of the Dolphins to bring the score to 14-10 before halftime. It was the perfect call at the perfect time to beat an eight-man rush on a third-and-20.
It was well executed by quarterback Mason Rudolph. Both pre-snap and once Miami brought the heat.
“They had an all-out blitz and Mason had a nice protection for it,” guard David DeCastro said. “We blocked it up and Diontae was open and had a nice run. I was surprised they brought the house to be honest. I thought they’d just bring three or two. But they had different ideas.”
DeCastro’s idea would’ve been better.
It looked like Miami was leaning in that direction. They called timeout prior to that play. The Dolphins had seven players at least nine yards deep and one at least 20 yards off the ball before Brian Flores called timeout.
Renegade
With the Steelers up 24-14 and the Dolphins about to start a possession at 7:23 in the fourth quarter, “Renegade” was played on the big screen.
That’s when T.J. Watt came up with this strip sack and fumble recovery.
GIMME THAT @_TJWatt with the strip-sack and fumble recovery.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/kahKi24DQJ
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 29, 2019
At that point, if there was a massive sinkhole in the ground, I think Miami quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick would’ve liked to crawl in and never come out.
Hey, I know where he can find one of those.
Turnovers
Speaking of turnovers, before the bye weekend, senior defensive assistant Teryl Austin asked the defense to get even more.
That was a big ask since the defense had created 15 of them coming into the game. But they got four more during this win against the Dolphins. Two came from ex-Dolphin Minkah Fitzpatrick via interceptions.
One Fitzpatrick picks off the other, AGAIN. @minkfitz_21 #HereWeGo
: #MIAvsPIT on ESPN
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/6BUh9hgbzX pic.twitter.com/msjeMyGOXK— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2019
The other two were fumbles forced by Mike Hilton and Watt.
“Every defense wants more turnovers no matter however many you have,” Watt said after the game. “Any way we can affect the game and help the offense we want to do that. Go for the ball. Get the tipped passes. Last year we didn’t feel like we did that enough. Get as many hats around the ball as possible.”
Next week that’ll be a tough task. The Indianapolis Colts only have seven giveaways this season. The New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals are the only teams with fewer.
Tomlin won a challenge!
After losing 11 straight foiled replay challenges, Mike Tomlin finally won one.
And on, of all things, a spot! That’s a play he has erroneously challenged in the past. But this one he got right on a scramble where Ryan Fitzpatrick got to the 46-yard line.
But Tomlin thought his knee went down at the 47. It did. And since Fitzpatrick came up a yard short of the first-down marker, the Steelers got possession and ended up scoring to make it 24-14.
James Conner
He was really good.
The Steelers running back totaled 145 yards rushing and scored a touchdown.
He also lost a fight with the turf.
“Who are you suppose to be for Halloween?”
James Conner: “Ryan Fitzpatrick” pic.twitter.com/WonXZwWNQP
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 29, 2019
Now Steelers fans hope Conner is ok physically. He suffered a shoulder injury with 2:10 left in the game, up 27-14.
What was he doing in the game at that point? Jaylen Samuels still isn’t ready to play yet. Benny Snell already left the game with an injury.
Trey Edmunds was dressed, though. Why not have him run out the clock to protect Conner with the ranks so thin at running back?
We’ll get to that tomorrow in our weekly “Airing of Grievances.”
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.