Roethlisberger’s arm fine in return
There was one reason Ben Roethlisberger worked so hard to return from a major elbow injury: his team.
Roethlisberger, who missed the final 14 games last season after elbow surgery, threw for three scores and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the host New York Giants 26-16 at an empty and eerie MetLife Stadium on Monday night. He also got all the help he could ask for from his defense and backup running back Bennie Snell.
“I told the guys before the game it is not about me individually,” Roethlisberger said. “The reason I came back is for these guys, this team. It’s a special group of football players, of men, and I am just glad to be a part of it.”
A key part of it, along with several defensive plays and Snell’s 113 yards in 19 carries — his first 100-yard performance in his second season.
“We have talked openly about the maturation process and things you can expect from a second-year player,” coach Mike Tomlin said, “and he’s showed signs of that from the very beginning of this process. He is a quality player and one that is maturing and emerging, and one who answered the bell when called upon.”
The defense held Saquon Barkley to six yards in 15 carries, swarming in the backfield nearly all night.
“I have to be better,” Barkley said.
Three Steelers stars got them their first touchdown. All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt made a clever interception at the New York 36. Roethlisberger beat a blitz with a perfect throw to JuJu SmithSchuster for a 10-yard second-quarter score. Chris Boswell’s extra point hit the upright, leaving them behind 10-9.
They got the lead with seven seconds remaining in the half as Roethlisberger connected with James Washington, who dived into the end zone for a 13-yard score. Boswell made the PAT and added a 36-yard field goal early in the final quarter. That came following the night’s biggest play.
Even though the Pittsburgh defense broke down as the Giants marched 87 yards on 19 plays in the third quarter, it still came up with a huge stop. Bud Dupree pressured quarterback Daniel Jones as he rolled left from the four and deflected his pass. Edge rusher Cam Heyward practically made a fair catch in the end zone for the interception.
Titans 16, at Broncos 14: Stephen Gostkowski, who missed his first three fieldgoal attempts and an extrapoint try, booted the winner from 25 yards with 17 seconds left to lift Tennessee. Melvin Gordon rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown in his Denver debut.