Steelers, Jones stun Cardinals
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) celebrates with teammates after making an interception against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Steelers quarterback Landry Jones (3) celebrates with guard David DeCastro (66) after throwing a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Martavis Bryant Sunday against the Cardinals at Heinz Field.
Steelers free safety Mike Mitchell (23) tumbles after he intercepted a fourth-quarter pass Sunday intended for Cardinals wide receiver John Brown.
PITTSBURGH – The Steelers entered Sunday’s game against the high-flying Arizona Cardinals as five-point underdogs.
For the better part of three quarters, it looked as if the Cardinals would not only live up to that expectation, they would surpass it.
The Steelers defense and third-string quarterback Landry Jones, however, had different ideas.
Pittsburgh’s defense forced three turnovers and Jones came in midway through the third quarter and threw for 168 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Steelers stunned the Cardinals, 25-13, at Heinz Field.
It was a gutsy effort all around for the Steelers, who improved to 4-2 despite playing their third consecutive game without Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who might return next week at Kansas City.
“We had an opportunity to rise up in a big way and we did,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “Hopefully, experiences like this galvanize this group.”
It certainly did Sunday.
Despite being outgained 279-59 in the first half – with just one passing yard – the Steelers trailed just 10-3 against an Arizona (4-2) squad that entered the game No. 1 in the NFL in points per game.
“You definitely find comfort when you’re playing so bad and the score is so tight,” said wide receiver Markus Wheaton. “That’s what I found comfort in. We’re playing horrible and it’s still a game.”
Then, the Steelers brought a storm of their own.
A 35-yard kickoff return to open the second half by Dri Archer put the ball at the 39, and Vick, whose longest completion to that point was seven yards, used the running game to get the Steelers into field goal range for Chris Boswell, who booted a 48-yard field goal to cut the lead to 10-6.
On the ensuing possession, James Harrison forced a fumble on a short pass to receiver John Brown and Mike Mitchell recovered the loose ball at the Arizona 27.
With Vick suffering a hamstring injury on the previous possession, Jones – who had entered briefly in the first half when Vick got some dirt in his eye on a run – threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Martavis Bryant in the back of the end zone to give the Steelers their first lead, 12-10 after a failed two-point conversion try.
“Landry probably played more preseason snaps than anybody in the history of the National Football League this year,” said Tomlin of the third-year quarterback. “We played in five preseason games and we had injuries at that position. Landry took advantage of it. He got better and it was displayed.
“You don’t always have control over the opportunity, but when given the opportunity, you need to be prepared. I give him credit for that. He was prepared.”
Jones led the Steelers on another scoring drive on his next possession, including hitting Bryant for a 23-yard gain, to set up a career-long 51-yard field goal by Boswell that made it 15-10.
Arizona countered with a field goal of its own, with Carson Palmer, who threw for 421 yards, completing a 42-yard pass to Brown to the Pittsburgh 27. But Arthur Moats stopped rookie running back David Johnson for a 2-yard loss on third down and the Cardinals settled for a 39-yard Chandler Catanzaro field goal that cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 15-13 on the opening play of the fourth quarter.
Jones then went to work again, completing four of five passes for 41 yards on another drive as Boswell increased Pittsburgh’s lead to 18-13 with a 28-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
Arizona appeared ready to take the lead on the next possession, but Mitchell read Palmer’s eyes on a throw into the end zone and intercepted a pass intended for Brown. It was the free safety’s first interception as a member of the Steelers.
“I invest a lot time in studying film and I knew they like double post (patterns) down there,” said Mitchell, who came to the Steelers as a free agent last season. “I instinctually jumped that route and made that play. It was huge for us.”
The Steelers didn’t know how huge until the next series.
With 2:20 remaining and Arizona in possession of all three timeouts, the Steelers needed a first down or two to ice the game.
Jones and Bryant did more than that.
Coming out of Arizona’s first timeout, Jones completed a short pass over the middle to Bryant and the receiver, who was playing in his first game this season after serving a four-game suspension for violation of the drug policy, made a man miss and broke off an 88-yard touchdown. Bryant finished with six catches for 137 yards and two scores.
“I thought that it was going to be a first down and then Martavis made an unbelievable play with his feet and got into the end zone,” said Jones.
That was the bow on a nice package for Tomlin.
“We needed contributions from everyone,” said Tomlin. “It wasn’t perfect by any stretch, but that’s the state we’re in. We’re not expecting perfection. We just need to do what’s required for us to win and stand and fight.”
Left tackle Kelvin Beachum suffered a torn ACL in the second quarter and will be lost for the season. He was replaced by Alejandro Villanueva. … Defensive end Stephon Tuitt suffered a sprained knee in the fourth quarter and did not return. … Le’Veon Bell rushed for 88 yards on 24 carries but did not catch a pass in a game for the first time in his three-year career. … The Steelers were outgained 469-310. … In addition to the forced fumble, the 30th of his career, Harrison also had a sack. He now has 71.5 for his career. … Lawrence Timmons had an interception in the first half, the 10th of his career.