Steelers Paced By Dominant Second Half, Rout Rams 27-0

by Neal Coolong on Dec 24, 2011 4:17 PM EST

A truly inspiring performance from both the offense and defense in the final 30 minutes of play led Pittsburgh to a 27-0 rout of the hapless Rams in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers got solid play from spot-starter QB Charlie Batch, who was 15-for-22 for 208 yards and one interception. WR Antonio Brown slipped coming out of his break right after Batch recovered from a slip himself. It was a clean throw in a game full of them for Batch.

Batch just missed out on a 47-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, who's knee was ruled down at the 1-yard line.

The game looked eerily reminiscent of Steelers teams of the past; hard running, tough defense and relatively no threat from the opposition. While they did give up 103 yards on the ground to Steven Jackson, they held QB Kellen Clemens to an abysmal 9-for-24 for 91 yards.

RB Rashard Mendenhall ran powerfully and gracefully to 116 yards on 18 carries. He scored his ninth touchdown of the season.

Rookie John Clay, who was activated in place of Mewelde Moore, took his first professional carry 10 yards for his first professional touchdown in the second quarter to put the Steelers up 10-0.

Shaun Suisham had two field goals - including one from 49 yards - on the game. RB Isaac Redman rounded out the scoring with a 2-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

WR Hines Ward looked like he may take a run at immortality at the end of the game. He needed just nine more catches to break the 1,000 career reception plateau, but finished the game with four.

Antonio Brown broke the team's all-purpose yardage record with 2,048 on the season. He also topped 1,000 yards receiving on the season.

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Ward is most certainly getting his 5 catches next week. I thought for awhile at the end if we would’ve stopped the rams on the 3rd down right after the 2-Min Warning then the Steelers may try and get him the remainder of the catches he needed

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 24, 2011 4:24 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Good win.Its too bad the Dolphins and Browns could not do us any favors.

Question: If we have to be the 5 seed, woudl you rather play OAK, SD, or DEN?

draftdatabase.wordpress.com
Follow @steelersrule124

by seton hall and steelers on Dec 24, 2011 4:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Oakland

Then Denver, then SD

by Steelgator on Dec 24, 2011 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Oakland

I don’t want to see their running game gash us

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 24, 2011 4:31 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs

Oakland.

If we could play Denver at home, then I would say Denver … but if we go to Denver then we lose Ryan Clark due to his sickle-cell anemia. With all the other injuries … well, I’d rather play against the familiar threat of Carson Palmer.

grain of salt

by PaulMorel on Dec 24, 2011 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

browns

Flacco’s audible was “Alaska, Alaska” on the 3rd (?) and short after the 2 min Warning. Such an obvious call for the "Freeze"’ play to draw the offsides. Thanks Phil Taylor.

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 24, 2011 4:27 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs

Denver.

Does anyone think Tebow can beat a quality opponent?

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 24, 2011 4:29 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs

Tebow threw 4 picks against the Buffalo defense.

Imagine him against PIT!

by MP-17 on Dec 24, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

First!

by Steelgator on Dec 24, 2011 4:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Great Game

I hope we can find a way to get healthy for the postseason.

With a healthy squad, this team is the best in the AFC.

grain of salt

by PaulMorel on Dec 24, 2011 4:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Looks like

Batch should’ve started in SF…

by Steelgator on Dec 24, 2011 4:25 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

that’s a whole different type of team

Boy, I'm three generations deep, in gangstadom

by FrankWyt on Dec 24, 2011 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

+1

although san fran played with so much emotion it might not have mattered. But batch looked great.

#SO_ND CL_SH

by RUN BMC on Dec 24, 2011 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

The line really played their asses off. As did batch. But Smith didn’t go 9-24 either

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 24, 2011 4:28 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs

Smith wouldn't have mattered

if Batch had been there to not turn the ball over 4 times.

by Steelgator on Dec 24, 2011 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Hahaha no.

"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."

by Riddlah. on Dec 25, 2011 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

I’d like to give special mention to Isaac Redman for that insane run in the 4th quarter (I think)

Boy, I'm three generations deep, in gangstadom

by FrankWyt on Dec 24, 2011 4:26 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Yeah,

but I thought it was pretty generous of Redman NOT to break every bone in every one of the Rams’ bodies on that one and then, to literally add insult to injury, take it in for the score.
Let’s just call it a nice Christmas present from Sir Isaac to the St. Louis Rams!

by TheHumbleOne on Dec 24, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Jets lost today

So Cincy will have to play lights out on the last game. If we play well agains Browns, we still have a good chance on the AFC North crown

by NO1KTA on Dec 24, 2011 4:31 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Cincy has a real shot

of beating the Ravens, I’m still hopeful.

by Steelgator on Dec 24, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Cincy should beat Ratbirds

by NO1KTA on Dec 24, 2011 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Why should they?

by worldtrip on Dec 24, 2011 8:40 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

because

the Steelers need them to = they should

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Dec 25, 2011 12:43 AM EST up reply actions

Nice

by worldtrip on Dec 25, 2011 1:28 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Honesly

Ben probably has to play a half to have continuity with the O going into the post-season ( this is assuming he doesn’t start and we relatively blow them out. Maybe like 24/27-0/3 by halftime). The browns don’t scare much more if any than the Rams did. And about the Bengals – they have something to play for. They’ll be fired up to play Baltimore

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 24, 2011 4:35 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

And they have been playing well lately. Ratbirds are in the decline. Cincy has a very good chance.

I would play Ben for the first have regardless.

by NO1KTA on Dec 24, 2011 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

Correction- First half

by NO1KTA on Dec 24, 2011 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

I agree. Great point.

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 24, 2011 4:50 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Browns have good rush defense. It's not gonna be the same as with Rams.

We need Ben to play efficient half with TDs and hand it over to batch.
Personally I would rest Woodley and Pouncey in the next one as well.
We sure are not the same team without Deebo. Man is a beast.
Hopefully we get a big lead in the half and get to rest some the key players.

by NO1KTA on Dec 24, 2011 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Personally I don't like Jets because of RR

I will be whole heartedly rooting for Cincy

by NO1KTA on Dec 24, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

Too bad Ben

Doesn’t know how to check the ball down. We’ve seen today what our WRs can do with YAC opportunities.

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 24, 2011 5:08 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

So very true

by Majabe on Dec 25, 2011 12:05 AM EST up reply actions

and

running backs. The dump off to Mendy, after Batch escaped what looked to be a sure sack, was a thing of beauty with Mendy picking up damn near half the field. Get Mendy in the open and he will make things happen.

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Dec 25, 2011 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

it's absolutely insane

But I just realized how the older, “less mobile” Batch escaped the pass rush and didn’t take sacks. The line play as well with Batch’s is still baffling me. I loved yesterday

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 26, 2011 11:42 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Actually, Browns have...

a terrible rush defense, 31st in the league. their pass defense is top 5… we didn’t take advantage last time, definitely need to this time…

by WestCoastSteel on Dec 25, 2011 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

Glad to see this game go well

Proud of the way we played this game, even though we were favored to. CB looked alright, and the bubble screen actually worked once or twice.

Throw style points out the window.

Is very bad to steal Jobu's rum. Is very bad.

CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!!!!1!111!!

by BigLumber55 on Dec 24, 2011 4:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

damn 5th seed!

5th seed is a curse this season…the way things are shaping up, pittsburgh will likely have to go through baltimore and new england to get to the big one.

by Hanrahanfan on Dec 24, 2011 4:34 PM EST reply actions

Good

Then we can beat them.

by Steelgator on Dec 24, 2011 11:32 PM EST up reply actions

Don't

understand why everyone is so sure the Pats will win their first playoff game.

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Dec 25, 2011 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

I like it

that the Bengals actually control their own destiny in their final game, at home against Baltimore. Win and they’re in the playoffs. Lose and they’re done. They did play Baltimore very tough IN BALTIMORE, almost pulled it out. That is definitely a game to watch, and should they pull off the upset (& Steelers take care of their dirty brown business), Steelers at home with a bye to start the playoffs!! :)

by TheHumbleOne on Dec 24, 2011 4:40 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Tebow mania seems dying down

Not Tebow’s fault either way though.
I like the guy but hated the hype from media.

by NO1KTA on Dec 24, 2011 4:46 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

thank god he's finally losing - badly.

He’s on my top 3 hated QB’s list – Tebow, Flacco and Romo

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 24, 2011 4:51 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs

I don't hate him because honestly non of the hype was his fault

But sure the media misled the public. All the wins were on D and can’t always count on them not like they have D with likes of Ours and Ratbirds’.

by NO1KTA on Dec 24, 2011 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

I am also glad that the truth is coming out figuratively.

by NO1KTA on Dec 24, 2011 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

how can pretty boy not be in your top 3 most hated list? Thats unamerican!

by steeler fever on Dec 24, 2011 6:13 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I live in Dallas

And I hear the local radio ball washing constantly. I hate the cowboys almost as much as the Ravens and Pats. Pittsburgh Bred even though I put up with the worst pro football fans in the country IMO

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 26, 2011 11:43 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Romo injured already.,..

by BlackandGoldTSgt on Dec 24, 2011 4:50 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Ravens barely win winnable games

BIGGEST FARCE in the AFC North

they squeaked a 2nd win on us, and yeah scumbag trolls you swept us this year, but you SUCK, your quarterback is a BROKEASS JOKE

TICAL BABY

I pledge allegiance to the Terrible Towel and the only team in America, and to the franchise for which it stands, one nation under Rooney, indivisible, with the ability to crush you all.

"He was popping off down there the first time they were about to score. So you run your mouth, expect to get something. Everything's between the lines, so he got what he had coming. He was running his mouth and getting in the way of the train, and the train wasn't coming off the track."
-James Harrison on Kyle Orton

Follow @TVsCHACHI

by TVsCHACHI on Dec 24, 2011 4:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

booooom

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Dec 25, 2011 12:51 AM EST up reply actions

Solid game but remember

We played a ram team with a back up qb and a last in the league rushing defense. This just means you did what you needed to we took care of business.

Let’s get past the skid marks and play to win….sit Ben again.

Impose your will.

by ALDOG on Dec 25, 2011 6:26 PM EST reply actions

The run D still concerns me. More and more though the contributions made to the pass d via Carnell Lake are making this D more suited for today’s game. Back end defense is a priority and necessity to go deep in the playoffs

by TheStillerWay86 on Dec 26, 2011 11:44 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions