Steelers 30, Cleveland Browns 27
September 7, 2014
The Steelers started off the 2014 season by getting an early lead on the Cleveland Browns, going into the locker room at halftime up 27-3 and things looking good.
But the game was definitely a tale of two halves.
The Browns came out in the second half on fire, and before the Steelers knew what happened the game was tied 27-27 in the fourth quarter.
It took every second of the 60-minute game for the Steelers to put the Browns away. With literally no time left on the clock, Shaun Suisham hit on a 41-yard field goal, giving the Steelers a 30-27 win and sending them to the locker room at the end of the game breathing a sigh of relief.
"Well, that was exciting, wasn't it?" said Coach Mike Tomlin "It's great to get a win. We did what was necessary. The game was a tale of two halves, but I like the team's ability to smile in the face of adversity, but to go beyond that (and) to stand and make significant plays at significant moments on defense, really to get the ball back and on offense to put ourselves in position to kick the game winner and then the field goal unit executed there at the end. A lot of positives to pull from a circumstance like that, (but) negatives to get in those circumstances, but it's great to make the necessary corrections with a 'W.'
On the final drive, the Steelers took over with just 47 ticks on the clock from their own 43-yard line. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit receiver Markus Wheaton for an 11-yard gain. With just 20 seconds to play, Roethlisberger connected with Wheaton again, this time for 20 yards on a play where Roethlisberger made some adaptations. With five seconds to play Roethlisberger spiked the ball to bring on Suisham for the game-winning field goal.
"It was an adjustment, we changed the play," said Roethlisberger. "To me that is why we put the work in, and why the credit goes to those guys. That's where it comes from, we make an adjustment last minute no one blinks, no one flinches, they run the proper play, and we get into field goal range. My hat goes off to Markus Wheaton for making the adjustment. I threw it before he came out of his break. He turned his head and found the ball and made a great catch. Kudos to him."