In the bitter cold, Watt, Heyward et al collected two INT’s, nine sacks, and held Baker Mayfield to a sub-50% completion percentage en route to a 26-14 victory on Monday Night Football.
Count ’em Down: OLB TJ Watt did a little of everything, recording 5 hits, 4 sacks, 3 QBH and 2 PBU’s. The highest-paid pass rusher in the world showed why tonight, and why he’s the “one” who should win Defensive Player of the Year.
The guy on the other end is no slouch, either. OLB Alex Highsmith had 2.5 sacks, 4 TFL’s and led the team with 8 tackles (I’m giving him half the Mondeaux sack). You couldn’t have scripted it any better if you were playing Madden on Rookie (RIP, by the way).
DT Cam Heyward said he wanted to send his fellow captain off “with everything he can.” He broke up two passes in the first half and had a sack in the second. We saw him on the broadcast share an emotional moment with Ben after his on-field media availability.
On the back end, CB Ahkello Witherspoon chipped in an INT and 3 PBU’s. After not being able to get a helmet on game-day for the first three-quarters of the season, he’s made huge contributions in each week since being bumped up as an injury replacement.
K Chris Boswell was 4/4 on FG’s, including from 48 and 50 yards. Most importantly, he didn’t try to throw the ball at all tonight.
RB Najee Harris broke Steelers’ rookie rushing records for yardage in a game (Bam Morris, 1994) and in a season (Franco Harris, 1972). His last run was a 37-yard TD scamper inside the last minute that appeared to seal the deal. According to Next Gen Stats, 181 of Najee’s 188 yards came after contact. Has anyone ever seen a running back do more with less?
Ben even got to come back onto the field for Victory Formation after FS Minkah Fitzpatrick popped loose what looked like a completed pass (that would have ended the game) into FS Tre Norwood’s ready arms for an interception.
The 18-year Steeler was visibly and audibly crying on the field while being interviewed after the game, and so was I (crying, not being interviewed). He took a lap around Heinz, high-fiving fans in the first row before retreating into the locker room. According to the Manningcast he then came back out to share a moment on the field with his family. I’ll never forget the shot of him fist-bumping the usher and walking up that tunnel for the last time, flanked by his loved ones.
Steely Cam 