Steelers scare

Late field goal thwarts major upset

Chris Boswell kicked a careerlong 53-yard field goal as time expired to give the Steelers a 3128 victory against the Green Bay Packers last night in Pittsburgh.

The heavily favored Steelers (9-2) won their sixth straight thanks in large part to wide receiver Antonio Brown. Brown caught 10 passes for 169 yards and two scores and also made a pair of catches on the deciding drive, including a 23-yard grab on the sideline that put the Steelers into Green Bay territory.

Brown added a 14-yard reception on the next play. Two snaps later, Boswell drilled the winner and his teammates mobbed him at midfield.

Ben Roethliberger threw for 351 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Le’Veon Bell ran for 95 yards and added another 88 yards receiving.

Brett Hundley completed 17-of26 for 245 yards and three touchdowns for Green Bay (5-6) in his best start since taking the reins from injured Aaron Rodgers. Jamaal Williams ran for 66 yards, including a 4-yard leap into the end zone with 2:02 remaining that tied it at 28.

The teams traded punts before Pittsburgh took possession at its 30 with 17 seconds to go. It was just enough time for Roethlisberger and Brown to push the Steelers within the fringe of Boswell’s range as Pittsburgh kept pace with the Patriots for the AFC’s best record.

The Steelers repeatedly have stressed the importance of staying focused on the work directly in front of them instead of peeking down the road to a showdown with the Pats on Dec. 17.

Yet for the second time in three weeks, they seemed caught offguard against an injury marred team with a backup quarterback.

Hundley responded to the Steelers’ opening touchdown by finding a wide-open Randall Cobb for a 39-yard touchdown strike. Williams turned a flip into a weaving 54-yard touchdown reception later in the first quarter, and when Davante Adams streaked for a 55-yard score less than three minutes into the second half, Green Bay was poised to pull off the upset.