BTSC Week 10 Game Ball Goes To...

by Michael Bean on Nov 15, 2011 6:15 AM EST in BTSC Game Ball of the Week

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter their Week 11 bye on a high note having just defeated the Cincinnati Bengals on the road, 24-17, for their first divisional win of the 2011 season. The victory improved Pittsburgh's record to 7-3, tied with the Houston Texans for the best record in the AFC. In the event that both teams finish with identical records, the Texans would have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Steelers by virtue of their 17-10 Week 4 win over Pittsburgh. We'll see how Houston fares down the stretch now that it's been revealed that starting quarterback Matt Schaub is likely out for the remainder of the season with a Lisfranc (foot) injury.

Lots of football left, and certainly plenty of time to speculate this next two weeks while we await the return of Steeler football in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs, who also must adjust to the loss of their starting quarterback, Matt Cassel, to injury. For now though, let's hand out some fictitious hardware to an individual who played a big part in the Steelers emerging victorious on the road in Cincinnati Sunday afternoon.

The contenders:

Ben Roethlisberger: 21-of-33 (63.6 %), 245 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Antonio Brown: 5 receptions, 86 yards
Rashard Mendenhall: 16 carries, 44 yards, 2 TDs, 1 reception, 26 yards
Jeremy Kapinos: 5 punts, 50.4 average, Long 57, 1 Inside 20.
Lawrence Timmons: 5 total tackles, 1 INT
William Gay: 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 Pass Defended leading to INT

William Gay certainly is deserving of the nod here. God knows we might not have another opportunity to recognize him in such a way. But I'm actually going to go with someone else here, if only because we ran two articles about Gay in the aftermath of Sunday's game praising him for his solid performance.

Instead I'm going with Antonio Brown this week. Here's why: all five of Brown's catches were crucial -- all came on scoring drives, all five picked up a fresh set of downs, and two were on third down plays including Brown's spectacular 21-yard snag on a 3rd and 19 deep inside Pittsburgh territory midway through the second quarter.

Reception 1: 3rd and 19 from own 15, ~ 5:00 left in 2nd quarter -- Brown hauls in an incredible 21-yard reception from Ben Roethlisberger to keep the chains moving and the drive alive. Cincinnati had cut the lead to 14-10 that quarter, so it was imperative for the Steelers to not let the Bengals establish full control of the momentum prior to half. That first reception was a big moment in the game.

Reception 2: Same drive, 3rd and 7 from own 39 yard line, ~3:30 left in 2nd quarter -- Brown keeps drive alive with another third down catch, this time for 15 yards to put Pittsburgh inside Baltimore territory.

Reception 3: Same drive, 2nd and 5 from CIN 41, final play before 2:00 minute warning -- Brown hauls in third catch of the drive and the first not on a third down conversion attempt. This one goes for another 17 yards and has the Steelers knocking on the door of the Bengals red zone as the two minute warning hits.

Reception 4: 1st and 20 from CIN 34, two plays after two-minute warning -- following a bogus pass interference call on Heath Miller that nullified what would have been Jerico Cotchery's second touchdown reception of the game, the Steelers were on the fringes of FG territory facing a 1st and 20 from the 34. No problem. Brown picks all of it up with an extra yard to boot the very next play. The Steelers eventually sputtered out at the 10 yard line and had to settle for a successful Shaun Suisham field goal, but on the key series before half, Brown amassed 74 yards on four receptions, all of which picked up first down yardage.

Reception 5: 2nd and 9 from own 48, ~6:00 left in 3rd quarter -- Brown's 12-yard catch put the Steelers inside Bengals territory on a drive the Steelers desperately needed following a Bengals touchdown that had leveled the score at 17-17. Rashard Mendenhall would finish off the drive six plays later with an impressive 9-yard run to pay dirt.

What a special player we have on our hands here folks. Just 23 years of age, Brown has plenty of room to still develop. With as pure a set of hands as we've ever seen on a Steelers wide receiver, it's quite fun to think about what the future still may hold for him and the rest of the Young Money Crew. Brown leads all NFL receivers with 26 catches this past four weeks -- mind you, those four weeks saw many high-profile WRs play only three games thanks to their respective teams' bye weeks. Still, there's no denying the impressive streak Brown is on, and what it means for the Steelers' offensive versatility moving forward.

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A. Brown has looked every bit as good as the young Santonio Holmes.

An exceptional receiver who will only get better in the future. Every time a Steeler WR gets a game ball, though, it’s another testament to what a great QB we’ve got.

by Billy52 on Nov 15, 2011 7:31 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

I still think Willie should get it

Gay caused two key turnovers which won us the game, that’s worthy of a game ball.

by Lamarr56 on Nov 15, 2011 7:42 AM EST reply actions 4 recs

Word

Give the man his credit this week. It’s a testament to the fact that we’ve actually written articles praising him for a change.

by Mechem on Nov 15, 2011 8:22 AM EST up reply actions

With all respects to Brown's performance

I’m sure he’ll provide us with plenty of occasions to be acknowledged.
Cherish the day, I vote for Willie.

by kisakos on Nov 15, 2011 7:45 AM EST reply actions 3 recs

inside ~~Baltimore~~ Cincinati territory

by kisakos on Nov 15, 2011 7:47 AM EST reply actions

6:15 am and you're posting already...

…man, do you ever sleep?

United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.

by PaVaSteeler on Nov 15, 2011 8:03 AM EST reply actions

I have to go with Gay on this one...

…aside from the fact that his own interception sealed the game (something Steelers have shown difficulty in doing), he had at least two key pass breakups on crucial Bengal drives. All in all, he played a “lights out” game.

Plus, he did it when it mattered most to both the Steelers, and himself; after the crucifying he took after the Ravens game, he kept his head, kept his cool, and responded in the best way possible.

United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.

by PaVaSteeler on Nov 15, 2011 8:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

BTW, Willie is nominated for "Never say never moment of the week" on nfl.com

Get out the vote (although I don’t see him beating Tebow…)

by kisakos on Nov 15, 2011 8:16 AM EST reply actions

Brown is the new Ward

He blocks well for his size, he can catch just about everything, and he’s sneaky good.

I want Sanders back because he seems to have found that connection with Ben in the EZ. Sanders seems to have that Santonio-ish quality where he can connect with Ben when he’s scrambling all over the place. We need that.

And of course Wallace will be the most dangerous guy in the game.

Seriously could does anybody have better WRs now?

by Mechem on Nov 15, 2011 8:24 AM EST reply actions

Green Bay

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter

by John Stephens on Nov 15, 2011 8:28 AM EST up reply actions

Heretic - j/k...

…is there anyone on GB’s schedule that can stop this behemoth before they become an insufferable “perfect season” team? I had to hear waaaay to much about how the Packers were the most successful franchise in the NFL last year, don’t want to go through THAT again!

United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.

by PaVaSteeler on Nov 15, 2011 8:31 AM EST up reply actions

The whole back half of their schedule is tough

TB, Det, NYG, Oak, KC (well not anymore), Chicago, Det

I think TB, NYG, and Det are the best chances.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter

by John Stephens on Nov 15, 2011 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

I looked at their schedule up to now, and it doesn’t surprise me the Packers are 8-0. Haven’t seen all their upcoming opponents play, but I’ll go with NYG or DETDET. I think they have CHI number, and its a home game. TB will fold, and so will OAK.

Agree with PaVa – it’s becoming as insufferable as the Pats deification.

by IronJake on Nov 15, 2011 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

Detroit on Thanksgiving will be a game

The Lions and the fans will be charged up for that one, though the Packers always show up to play. That game is going to be all about getting pressure to stop a shootout.

by JDSpartan on Nov 15, 2011 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

Brown is actually the next Tone, including his ability to make lateral cuts. Sanders is much more like Ward especially in his blocking prowess & route precision. I personally feel like losing him in the SB was worse than not having Pouncey. By seasons end he had developed chemistry with Ben. He was the preferred target down the stretch & came through, & he is an overall better WR than Brown. Can’t wait to have them both on the field with Wallace. If Ward never played another down between those 3, Cotch, & Heaf we are fine for targets.

The Ravens are pus*ies compared to the Steelers. - Peyton Hillis 2010

by malaki on Nov 15, 2011 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

it depends on if matt stafford is healthy

by klompus on Nov 16, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions

You have to give it to William Gay

Those two posts previously on Gay were probably the only positive posts ever for Gay. So, I don’t think it’d be wrong to give him a 3rd.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter

by John Stephens on Nov 15, 2011 8:29 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

Agreed with everyone above

Brown was supremely clutch on that drive, but Gay won the game for the Steelers. His pick and defensed pass has been talked about, but how about the play he made on the Bengals’ first possession of the game? Third down, perfect pass from Dalton to Caldwell, but Gay knocks it out and forces a three and out. That right there deflated the Bengals for quite a while, not to mention the fact that he had a couple of very determined tackles and that his performance came a week after being chastised for the last play against Baltimore. William Gay deserves this one.

by Simonsen on Nov 15, 2011 11:28 AM EST reply actions

Willie Gay

Who can look the other way to a story of redemption? I heard him speak after the game, and then on that Ike Taylor show. He’s got a great attitude. Even a chip on his shoulder- which is a great playing mind set.

Brown is gonna have more dominating games. He’ll get his.

by IronJake on Nov 15, 2011 11:44 AM EST reply actions

Gay gets the vote

If we’re all ready to fry him when he screws up (like last week), then we have to admit when he was great. Very good game for Willie. He gave us 50% of our season total in turnovers in this game. Granted we’ve sucked in that department all year, but still forcing 2 picks is a good days work.

by lkwdsteel on Nov 15, 2011 1:56 PM EST reply actions

Gotta go with Gay all the way:)

I Feel a Sin Coming On....

by the duchess of steel on Nov 15, 2011 2:15 PM EST reply actions

I am so Gay!

by steeler fever on Nov 15, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

In a football way........

GO STEELERS

by steeler fever on Nov 15, 2011 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

ha ha me too:)

I Feel a Sin Coming On....

by the duchess of steel on Nov 15, 2011 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

So many choices

I think Mendenhall should get some consideration. He ran extremely well and scored two touchdowns. However, I think that Willie, Antonio and Ben all have legitimate arguments as well. I wouldn’t be unhappy with the selection of any of these four players. I will say this in support of Michael’s choice, Brown is playing at an extraordinary level and he’s still growing as a receiver. All the promise he showed last year and in training camp is coming to fruition, and bizarre as this sounds, he may eventually be recognized as the best of a very good bunch of receivers.

It should also be mentioned that Cotchery came very close to two touchdowns but was denied due to a questionable penalty on Heath. That second catch would have earned him consideration as well. I think Jerrico has, hopefully, found a home. And I think he and we are delighted.

by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Nov 15, 2011 2:27 PM EST reply actions

Willie Gay

On substance, principle, recompense, and the future in case he ever reads BTSC.

by NCSteeler on Nov 15, 2011 2:55 PM EST reply actions

Don't know if this has been said already but

Gay has had a hand in the last THREE turnovers.

"Honestly, you'd think I'd won four Super Bowls there the way [Steelers fans] treat me... don't get me wrong, they want to win, but if you lay it all out there on every game, they'll accept whatever results they get." -- Merril Hoge

by Blount Trauma on Nov 15, 2011 7:31 PM EST via mobile reply actions