Week 7: Pittsburgh, KC show off defenses
WINNERS Pittsburgh Steelers
Even with linebacker Devin Bush out for the season, Pittsburgh’s defense showed it can still slow down one of the league’s top offenses. In their 27-24 victory against the previously undefeated Tennessee Titans, the Steelers (6-0) became the only undefeated team in the AFC – and, by the end of the night, the NFL – and showed they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
In a game in which Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions, including one late in the fourth quarter that gave Tennessee a chance to tie or win the game in the final drive, Pittsburgh still led throughout. It was because of that defense, one that limited the Titans to 5 of 13 conversions on third downs and 292 total yards, that the Steelers could hang on.
And credit the front seven for both generating enough of a pass rush to get in Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s face and for bottling up running back Derrick Henry.
Kansas City Chiefs
This was a game in which Kansas City’s offense did not convert any of eight thirddown tries. It was outgained 411-286 and scored touchdowns on just three of its six trips inside the red zone. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for just 200 yards and one score. This was a game, however, that K.C. won 43-16.
The Chiefs (6-1) showed they can get contributions from their defense – safety Daniel Sorensen had a 50-yard pick six – and special teams – receiver Byron Pringle returned a kick 102 yards for a score. Even kicker Harrison Butker chipped in 13 points.
LOSERS
After Dallas dropped a 25-3 game against a Washington Football Team that entered Sunday with only one victory, it’s time to call McCarthy’s performance in his first season with the Cowboys a total embarrassment.
This goes back to before Dak Prescott suffered his compound ankle fracture and dislocation two weeks ago and before backup Andy Dalton left the Washington game with a concussion after a cheap-shot hit. The Cowboys have serious ball security issues, with running back Ezekiel Elliott being one of the primary culprits. Their effort on tackling is among the worst in the NFL. They suffer debilitating mental lapses with coverage breakdowns in the secondary. Their offensive line allowed Washington to notch six sacks. And after Washington linebacker Jon Bostic lunged at Dalton and lowered his head on that cheap shot, no Dallas players went to back up their teammate.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons pretty much had their game won, as the Lions let Atlanta running back Todd Gurley score late in the game. Gurley just needed to stop short of the end zone and let Atlanta milk the clock before kicking what would have been an easy game-winning field goal. Instead, Gurley accidentally rolled into the end zone to give the Falcons a six-point lead.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford exploited breakdowns in Atlanta’s secondary and completed passes of 13, 22 and 29 yards before throwing the game-winning score to T.J. Hockenson on the game’s final play. The Lions won 23-22. And Atlanta, again, blew a game in which it held a late lead and a promising chance to win, extending a systemic issue that has plagued this team for years.