Rallies show value of quick tempo

In addition to those five games, the Steelers also scored in the final 2:08 of the first half in Kansas City to increase their lead against the thenunbeaten Chiefs to 12-3.

All told, the Steelers have produced two touchdowns and three field goals in the final minute of the first half heading into Thursday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans (6-3).

“It’s a great boost,” said offensive coordinator Todd Haley. “We seem to have had a lot of end-of-the-half possessions, which you don’t always get in that situation. You may be kneeling on it. But the end of the half has been great stuff and it gives us a great boost going into halftime.” Here’s the breakdown: Cleveland, tight end Jesse James catches a 4-yard touchdown from Roethlisberger with 45 seconds remaining, completing a seven-play, 91-yard drive. The Steelers go on to a 21-18 victory.

Roethlisberger caps an 11-play, 70-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown to JuJu SmithSchuster with 38 seconds left.

field goal with three seconds remaining to cut Jacksonville’s lead to 7-6 at halftime. The Steelers opened the second half with a 13-play drive that lasted more than eight minutes to take a 9-7 lead, only to be done in by a pair of interception returns for touchdowns.

- gals, the Steelers had two scoring drives in the final 1:50, the latter covering 71 yards in 1:28 and resulting in Boswell’s 24-yard field goal with no time remaining to take a 20-14 lead.

Stadium, Roethlisberger completes 4 of 6 passes for 47 yards in 69 seconds to get a Boswell field goal from 41 yards with 30 seconds remaining to jumpstart their second-half comeback.

“Whether it’s three points or seven points, it’s a really good feeling to be able to do that, just for a confidence builder,” Roethlisberger said.

In those situations, Roethlisberger has been the catalyst. in their hurry-up offense, he completed 21 of 30 passes for 282 yards, 2 touchdowns and a 121.8 passer rating on those five possessions. What’s the reason? “I don’t know,” Roethlisberger said. “There’s a little bit [of urgency] sometimes. Going in, you want to try to put points on the board, whether you’re getting a chance for a double score or not.”

Maybe it’s playing at a quicker tempo with the nohuddle, something the Steelers might try more of against the defense off-balance.

Antonio Brown, the league’s leading receiver, would be in favor of that.

“I like no-huddle,” Brown said. “It gets us to establish rhythm and tempo, not letting defenses getting their calls in and allowing us to play fast and get lined up fast.”

Whatever, Roethlisberger might be reluctant to attack deep against the Titans, who, - eau philosophy, have allowed the fewest completions of at least 20 yards (19) and second fewest of 40-plus yards (2) in the league.

If he does, he has to be wary of safety Kevin Byard, who leads the league with six interceptions, including five in a two-game span.