Recapping the Steelers' 38-7 victory over the Bills

[Dodens Grav]

Recapping the Steelers' 38-7 victory over the Bills (Read More)

The Pittsburgh Steelers blew out the Buffalo Bills with a 38-7 victory tonight, but the feeling in Pittsburgh right now is far from euphoric. Rookie first round guard David DeCastro suffered what head coach Mike Tomlin described as a “potentially severe” right knee injury in the early goings of the first quarter.

While the specific injury is not yet known, it is being reported that he injured his ACL and MCL. An MRI is scheduled to get a better idea of what kind of damage he sustained. He reportedly left the stadium on crutches with a very large brace on his knee after being carted off the field and is likely out for the season.

Just one play earlier, running back Isaac Redman, who was held out last game with a hip injury, went down and left the game. It appeared that he was being checked out for some type of neck injury; however, he re-entered the game on the team’s next offensive possession and played well. In addition, starting right defensive end Brett Keisel suffered a “mild” high ankle sprain. He was not given a walking boot.

The preseason game itself, in light of the injury news, seems rather secondary, but there was a game played. The Steelers started off with the ball, and after wide receiver Antonio Brown dropped a pass on the first play, putting the Steelers behind the chains, they failed to recover, limited to a three and out after pressure forced a Ben Roethlisberger sack.

The starting defense forced a three and out of their own, with defensive end Ziggy Hood and linebacker Lawrence Timmons getting great pressure on third down. Linebacker Larry Foote tipped the pass, which was nearly recovered by LaMarr Woodley.

The next drive began in the shadow of their own endzone, and they failed to move the ball. It was on this third down that DeCastro was injured, apparently having a body fall on his back leg.

After a good punt return set the Bills up near midfield, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick took advantage of safety Troy Polamalu, who was beaten on downfield coverage to set up a first and goal. Fitzpatrick targeted him again on the next play, but the pass fell incomplete. Running back Fred Jackson scored on the next play to take the 7-0 lead, but that would be it for the Bills on the night.

Isaac Redman had a couple of good runs on the ensuing drive, but after a holding penalty on center Maurkice Pouncey set the Steelers up well behind the chains, and Brown failed to haul in yet another catchable pass, Roethlisberger was forced to settle for an underneath throw for a gain well short of the first.

Ziggy Hood showed well on the next drive on a tackle and, later, batting down another pass after getting pressure on the quarterback. Cornerback Curtis Brown was in a on a pass breakup on the ensuing third down.

[ricardisimo]

We probably lost DeCastro. Not sure if anything else in this game matters.

[TheVet]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

We probably lost DeCastro. Not sure if anything else in this game matters.

Truer words were never spoken.

[lardlad]

Originally Posted by TheVet

Truer words were never spoken.

Well I am definitely not happy to see DeCastro get injured, I disagree. There was a lot to like in that final drive before the half. Maybe it's true the line takes a step back but I think with Ben getting rid of the ball like he has been, Haley's play calling will remedy some oline issues.

The short play is for real, I think that has been evident. They even scored on a run play from short and goal. But one of the things you could really spend some time talking about is how the Steelers went down field. I was starting to worry that we went too far the other way on offense. But there were lots of long pays. Plus 3 or 4 takeaways. Sure anything that happens in any preseason game doesnt really matter, but I think there is lots to talk about other than injuries.

[Bayz101]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

We probably lost DeCastro. Not sure if anything else in this game matters.

Exactly. A preseason win in which we lose a starter isn't a win at all.

[Goldsteel86]

Originally Posted by Bayz101

Exactly. A preseason win in which we lose a starter isn't a win at all.

Truer words have never been spoken!!!!! :

[bigbenzbrokenose]

Our 4th strings won it for us.

[Goldsteel86]

Originally Posted by bigbenzbrokenose

Our 4th strings won it for us.

HahahaHa, ummm it is the preseason stooge, fourth string????? Fourth string???? Dude man, good luck to you but please come here often, in the mean time you should try out for your local community college football team, they are always looking for fourth string players, you know what I mean, sleepers like yourself. Someone to come in time for time in the pre-season to push them over the edge, maybe put a "W" on the board.

[Bayz101]

Fourth Stringers? Pretty sure it was first stringers in the first half, and second stringers in the second half. Quit saying "us" by the way. You made it clear earlier you we're a troll.

[FrancoLambert]

Originally Posted by bigbenzbrokenose

Our 4th strings won it for us.

4th strings?
Very good !!