Defense counters Steelers’ ‘newness’
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Knowing it was going to take the Steelers’ new-look offense time to find its footing, Ben Roethlisberger was counting on Pittsburgh’s defense to keep the score close.
T.J. Watt and company delivered, with Pittsburgh getting the added bonus from its special teams in rallying from a 10-point deficit to pull out a 23-16 season-opening win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
“We anticipate that a little bit, right? The bumps in the road the offense is going to have, the newness,” Roethlisberger said of an offense featuring a new coordinator and rookie running back Najee Harris. “We expect our defense to have to carry us.”
Watt had two sacks and a forced fumble in his first game after signing a four-year, $112million contract extension that made him the NFL’s top-paid defensive player. And the defense kept the Bills’ dynamic Josh Allenled passing attack in check by stopping Buffalo on fourth down on each of its first two possessions of the second half.
“I don’t want to say a dominant performance because obviously there’s still a lot left on the table,” Watt said. “But I’m very happy with where we are, especially Week 1.”
After managing three first downs and 53 yards through two quarters, Roethlisberger got to work in the second half by leading the Steelers to a score on each of their first four possessions.
“I’m proud of the guys because they didn’t blink,” Roethlisberger said. “They stood up in the face of not playing well early.”
What was supposed to be Buffalo’s coming-out party following a breakthrough season in which the Bills won their first AFC East title since 1995 and made their first AFC title game appearance in 27 years turned into a dud.
The NFL’s second-highest scoring offense last year managed just one touchdown — Allen’s three-yard pass to Gabriel Davis — and settled for three field goals despite crossing midfield on eight of its 11 possessions.
“Obviously, it’s not what we hope for, what we strive for, how we want to start the season,” said Allen, who finished 30 for 51 for 270 yards, was sacked three times and lost a fumble.