Steelers vs. Seahawks Final Score: Steelers survive the Seahawks 23-20 in overtime

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 6 of the 2021 regular season in a state of flux. After winning their season opening game vs. the Buffalo Bills, the Steelers lost their next three games before beating the Denver Broncos in Week 5.

With the Seattle Seahawks coming to town for a prime time matchup on Sunday Night Football, Pittsburgh had the chance to win back-to-back games before heading into their bye week. On top of that, it would be a chance for the Steelers to reach .500 after their losing streak.

The Seahawks won the opening coin toss and elected to defer their possession to the second half. After a nice return by Ray-Ray McCloud, the Steelers offense failed to muster enough yardage for a first down.

After the Pressley Harvin punt, Geno Smith and company couldn’t muster a first down before giving the ball back to Roethlisberger and company.

Although the Steelers offense was able to get a first down, the end result was the same, a punt. Smith and the Seahawks put their best drive in the game together, but when nearing field goal range were forced to punt.

A new Steelers drive ended in the same result as the ugly offense continued throughout the first quarter.

The Seahawks had the football to start the second quarter, but a T.J. Watt pass defense ended the drive early and resulted in yet another punt.

Starting with their best field position of the night, their own 45-yard line, it was a 25-yard Diontae Johnson run which sparked the offense and moved the unit into the red-zone. A pass to Pat Freiermuth set the offense inside the 10, and another rookie, Najee Harris, caught his second touchdown pass of the season for the first score of the game.

Chris Boswell’s point after was good. Making the score 7-0 with 10:01 left in the first half.

DK Metcalf gave the Seahawks’ a jump start on their next drive, but a Cam Heyward sack ended the drive on the next series.

The Steelers’ offense remained hot, and a good mix of run and pass moved the ball into Seattle territory. When the Steelers hit the red-zone it was creativity which got the offense into the end-zone. Facing a 3rd and goal, it was Eric Ebron who ran it in for the touchdown.

Boswell was good, making the score 14-0 with 1:04 left in the 2nd quarter.

A Seattle three-and-out gave the Steelers the ball back with 36 seconds remaining in the half and one timeout. However, the drive went nowhere, keeping the score 14-0 at halftime.

The Seahawks started the second half with the football, and it looked like a completely different team came out of the locker room in the third quarter. Alex Collins nearly single-handedly drove the Seattle offense down the field, and punched it in for the first Seahawks touchdown. After the point-after, the score was 14-7 with 9:55 left in the third quarter.

Needing an answer, Roethlisberger took to the air and hit Ray-Ray McCloud and Diontae Johnson for big gains to move the ball into Seattle territory. Once in the red-zone, the drive stalled and Pittsburgh settled for a Chris Boswell field goal, making the score 17-7 with 5:46 left in the third quarter.

The Steelers defense turned to what most consider their better half, the defense, to preserve the 10 point lead. However, the Steelers’ second half defense was anything but elite, giving up big play after big play. The end result of the drive was a Geno Smith touchdown pass to Will Dissly which made the score 17-14 with 3:02 left in the quarter.

Desperately needing a drive, the Steelers offense went three-and-out, giving the ball right back to the red-hot Seahawks offense. To end the third quarter it was more of the same, Seattle gashing the Steelers’ defense on the ground. Once in the red-zone, facing a critical third down, Smith was sacked by a host of defenders, forcing a Josh Myer field goal, making the score 17-17.

On Pittsburgh’s ensuing drive, Ben Roethlisberger attempted one of his patented pump fakes, but fumbled the football. After it was initially ruled incomplete, it was challenged and overturned, giving the ball back to Seattle. A holding call on first down doomed the Seattle drive, and they were forced to punt the ball right back to Pittsburgh with 9:42 left in regulation.

Pittsburgh’s drive stalled near midfield, and the defense was able to get a three-and-out. Ben Roethlisberger and company took over at their own 15-yard line with 5:19 left in the fourth quarter. Najee Harris took over the drive, and moved the ball into Pittsburgh territory. After a scary injury stopped the game, the Steelers continued to lean on Harris, getting the team to the Seattle 36-yard line, at the 2 minute warning.

An offensive pass interference call pushed the Steelers out of field goal range, but a Najee Harris catch and run set up a 52-yard field goal, making the score 20-17 with 1:30 left in regulation.

Not about to go down without a fight, Geno Smith was able to orchestrate a drive to at least get Seattle into field goal range. Facing a 2nd and 3, with 18 seconds left, Smith hit DK Metcalf on the sideline, who fumbled the ball and was recovered by Seattle. The Seahawks were able to clock the play with one second left. The Myer 43-yard field goal was good, sending the game to overtime.

Seattle won the coin toss, and elected to take the ball. After Geno Smith hit Tyler Lockett to move the ball into Pittsburgh territory, Seattle started to go the wrong way. A Cam Heyward tackle for loss and T.J. Watt sack forced a Seattle punt.

Roethlisberger and the offense took over at their own 20 yard line, and after three plays punted the ball back to Seattle. But on Seattle’s first play of their second drive, T.J. Watt delivered a strip sack which was recovered by Devin Bush at the 16-yard line. After moving the ball to the middle of the field, Boswell was called on for the game-winning field goal. The 37-yard kick was good, giving the Steelers the 23-20 overtime win.

The win moved the Steelers’ record to 3-3 heading into the Week 7 bye week. After the bye the Steelers will be making their annual trip to play the Cleveland Browns. Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold.