Big Ben, Steelers rise to challenge

PITTSBURGH >> Ben Roethlisberger didn’t want to use the word “crossroads.” He did anyway.

His team mired in a three-game losing streak and with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on the other sideline Sunday a sight that typically signals doom for Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers the longtime quarterback understood his team’s enigmatic season had reached a tipping point.

“Are we going to step up and play? Are we going to divide each other? Who knows?” Roethlisberger said after a taut 1710 victory. “This was going to be a great challenge for us against a team that is always one of the best. I thought we answered the bell today.”

The win helped Pittsburgh (8-5-1) preserve its half-game lead over Baltimore (8-6) in the AFC North with two weeks to go. It also exorcised some demons. The Steelers had dropped five straight to New England and only beaten Brady twice in his storied career. Despite never trailing, their third win over him wasn’t assured until Morgan Burnett knocked down Brady’s heave to the end zone intended for Julian Edelman with 20 seconds to go.

The Patriots (9-5) missed a chance to clinch their 10th straight AFC East title

“It’s a big win for us,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s that time of year. We need to win this football game.”

In so many ways. Rookie running back Jaylen Samuels ran for a season-high 142 yards in his second NFL start. The defense that looked so vulnerable in the late going during Pittsburgh’s recent slide figured out a way to slow Brady and Rob Gronkowski. Embattled kicker Chris Boswell drilled a critical 48yard field goal in the final minutes, and the Steelers (8-5-1) gave their playoff hopes a welcome jolt.

“Forced into action with James Conner missing his second straight game due to a sprained left ankle, Samuels said he’s never been a feature back. He ran 19 times and caught two passes for 30 yards in the Steelers’ win.