Seahawks hold off Steelers 28-26 behind Russell Wilson’s phenomenal game

2-0!

Pete Carroll’s 68th birthday was a great one, as Russell Wilson threw for exactly 300 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and led the Seattle Seahawks (2-0) to a 28-26 road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-2). This was still a sloppy game with the Seahawks racking up 10 accepted penalties, as well as two lost fumbles by Chris Carson (although one was attributed to Wilson) but Brian Schottenheimer adjusted to the early Steelers pressure with some outstanding quick passes and blitz beaters to carve up Pittsburgh’s secondary.

The Steelers played the entire 2nd half without Ben Roethlisberger, who left with a right arm injury. It might have been a net negative for Seattle’s defense, as Mason Rudolph threw two touchdown passes and looked better than Big Ben did. Ultimately, it was the Seahawks offense that made the biggest plays of the game to give Seattle its first road opener win in six years.

1st Half

It was an early series of punts from both teams. The Seahawks defense stepped up and forced consecutive three-and-outs of Ben Roethlisberger’s offense, while Seattle’s first possession featured an excellent DK Metcalf catch for 16 yards but not much else.

On Seattle’s second possession, they overcame multiple penalties to get chunk plays from Chris Carson (21-yard run on 1st and 19) and Tyler Lockett (22 yards and 2nd and 14) to advance to the Steelers’ side of the field. Of course, Russell Wilson got sacked on consecutive plays and the drive died.

Pittsburgh nearly hit a huge pass play to Johnny Holton, who had burned Jamar Taylor on a 3rd down, but Roethlisberger’s pass was slightly overthrown and the diving attempt was incomplete.

A deep pass to Will Dissly was nullified due to offsetting penalties as the 1st quarter neared its conclusion. The next play was a Chris Carson fumble that bounced into the arms of Mark Barron for an apparent touchdown, but a block in the back nullified the score. It still set up Pittsburgh outside of Seattle’s red zone after Carson’s second fumble in as many weeks.

Just when it looked as if the Seahawks would hold the Steelers to a field goal, Mychal Kendricks committed a silly pass interference (which Pete Carroll stupidly challenged). James Conner ran off right tackle for the 1-yard plunge on the next play. 7-0 Steelers.

Seattle answered back with a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a 14-yard touchdown to Will Dissly. It would’ve been 7-3 if not for a personal foul penalty on a Jason Myers field goal that gifted the Seahawks extra yards and a new set of downs. 7-7.

After exchanged three-and-outs, the Steelers retook the lead on a 7-play, 49-yard drive that saw Ben Roethlisberger complete two passes to JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was defended by K.J. Wright. An OPI on a Smith-Schuster conversion negated a first down, and the Steelers settled for a 41-yard Chris Boswell field goal. Roethlisberger’s throwing arm was being looked at after this drive. 10-7 Steelers.

Seattle ran a complete disaster of a two-minute drill that included a DJ Fluker injury, repeated failure to stop the clock with no timeouts, and DK Metcalf getting two flags on one play that resulted in the Seahawks getting knocked out of field goal range. Jason Myers missed wide left from 58 yards out to end the half.

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2nd Half

Mason Rudolph started the 2nd half for an injured Roethlisberger, and obviously the Seahawks wanted to see him ASAP considering the offense went three-and-out. The plan worked, as Donte Moncrief dropped an easy 3rd down conversion and Bradley McDougald picked it off.

It took 6 plays to go 40 yards and get the lead for the first time all game, as Russell Wilson found Will Dissly for another TD. 14-10 Seahawks.

Mason Rudolph responded with a flea flicker throw to JuJu Smith-Schuster for 45 yards deep into Seattle territory, with Lano Hill getting beaten. They would advance no further and would settle for a field goal. 14-13 Seahawks.

Clearly in rhythm, the Seahawks marched on Pittsburgh’s defense some more, and it was the much-scrutinized Rashaad Penny who broke free for a 37-yard touchdown run on 3rd and 1. A wonderful gallop. 21-13 Seahawks.

Mason Rudolph had an answer in the form of a 12-play, 75-yard drive with multiple third-down conversions, and he threw his first NFL touchdown pass to Vance McDonald. The two-point conversion was no good, as Lano Hill picked off Rudolph in the end zone. 21-19 Seahawks.

Penalties threatened to kill Seattle’s next drive, as they were faced with 2nd and 20. Tyler Lockett could not come down with a pass in double coverage on a play that should’ve otherwise been roughing the passer against Pittsbrugh. Pete Carroll challenged for pass interference, which didn’t look clear even on replay, but was ruled DPI and a successful reversal. This huge field position flip worked greatly, as D.K. Metcalf reeled in a 3rd and 3 lob from Russell Wilson for a 28-yard touchdown. What a play! What a play! 28-19 Seahawks.

You’d have thought the Seahawks would put this game away. This is Sehaawks football, so we got treated to another Chris Carson fumble that was recovered and run back to the 3-yard line. Vance McDonald scored on the very next play. 28-26 Seahawks.

Seattle’s offense answered by churning first downs and killing clock, but a critical Ethan Pocic hold put them behind the stick. A 3rd and 16 run by Russell Wilson gained 15 yards as they approached the two-minute warning, putting them at 4th and 1 at the Pittsburgh 33. They went for it with the game essentially on the line, and Chris Carson somewhat redeemed himself with a 2-yard run to end the game!

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Seahawks Injury Report

RG D.J. Fluker suffered an ankle injury and was replaced by Ethan Pocic. Fluker returned in the 4th quarter.

Next week’s opponent

The Seahawks return home to take on the New Orleans Saints (1-1) on Sunday, September 22nd at 1:25 PM PT on CBS.

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