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| A HUGE gold star thank you goes out to Barry Blyler for generously contributing the 2017 season for the rest of us to enjoy. Kudos, Barry!
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2017 Steelers 21 at Browns 18
The Steelers score on Cleveland's opening possession of the season when Tyler Matakevich blocks a punt and Anthony Chickillo pounces on the ball in the end zone. Big Ben (24 of 36, 263 yds) throws a pair of TDs to Jesse James, improving Roethlisberger's record vs. the Browns to 22-2 all time. LeVeon Bell, who skipped training camp due to a contract dispute, is tentative and finishes with just 32 rushing yds on 10 carries, but Antonio Brown is unstoppable with 11 catches for 182 yds. Despite 7 sacks and playing from behind all afternoon, rookie QB DeShone Kizer makes things surprisingly close late in the game, thanks in part to 13 Steelers penalties for 144 yds.
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2017 Steelers 23 at Bengals 20 MNF
Tragedy strikes just 3-1/2 minutes into the game. Following a seemingly routine tackle, Pro Bowl LB Ryan Shazier -- who unfortunately leads with the crown of his helmet -- falls to the turf and immediately clutches at his lower back. Unable to move his lower body, Shazier manages to roll to his back and flexes his hands repeatedly in the air, signaling for help. After a lengthy injury delay, Shazier is strapped to a board and carted off the field. Sadly, it is the last play of his NFL career. Thankfully, he still makes a courageous recovery over the next several months/years. Shaken by Shazier's injury, the Steelers sleepwalk through the rest of the first half, falling behind 17-0. But the Bengals are the Bengals and predictably, they self-destruct in the second half, committing 13 penalties for 173 yds while netting only 13 yds and 1 first down in the 4th quarter. A pair of Roethlisberger TD passes and 4 Chris Boswell FGs, including a 38-yarder as time expires, win it for the Steelers. Game also features Juju Smith-Schuster's knock-out blow to cheap-shot artist Vontaze Burfict. After the play, Smith-Schuster draws a taunting penalty and a fine for standing triumphantly over Burfict, who leaves the field on a stretcher.
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2017 Steelers 39 vs Ravens 38 SNF
The Steelers battle for an emotional 8th straight win and clinch the AFC North in the wake of Ryan Shazier's career-ending spinal injury in Cinci the prior week. After jumping out to a 14-0 lead, the Steelers falter and trail by 11 points after 3 quarters. But Ben Roethlisberger throws for 228 of his 506 yds in the 4th quarter, becoming the first QB to throw for over 500 yds 3 times while leading the Steelers to 19 points. Antonio Brown has 11 catches for 213 yds, including key long gains of 57, 22 and 34 yds in the 4th quarter, while LeVeon Bell gains 125 total yds and snags 9 catches. Pittsburgh's defense struggles throughout the night without Shazier, but they come up big when they have to, forcing a Ravens 3-and-out to get the ball back at their own 17 with 2:25 to play. After taking a 9-yd sack by Suggs on 1st down, Big Ben does what he does, coolly driving the Steelers to the Raven 28, keyed by clutch 3rd down passes to Jessie James (16 yds on 3rd and 13) and a beautiful deep ball to AB (34 yds on 3rd and 5) to set up Chris Boswell's 46-yd game winner.
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