There are not many must-win games at this early stage in the season, but the Pittsburgh Steelers sure had one with their Week 5 home matchup against the Denver Broncos.
After a 1-3 start to the campaign coupled with the numerous outside calls for the team to bench quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers needed a win to slowly begin to turn the tide on their season. And while it was not an effortless performance, the Steelers got the job done with a crucial 27-19 home win over the Broncos.
The Steelers had to withstand a late offensive surge by the Broncos offense, as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater led a pair of key fourth quarter touchdown drives that trimmed Pittsburgh's once 18-point lead down to a mere one-score five-point lead.
While Bridgewater managed to lead the Broncos into the red zone over the late stages of the fourth quarter, Steelers cornerback James Pierre ended any aspirations of a Denver comeback with a much-needed end zone interception.
STEELERS HANG ON. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/qTdQlYklpt
— NFL (@NFL) October 10, 2021
Pierre had a rough outing in coverage against Denver's wide receiver corps before the key interception, which included allowing a 39-yard receiving touchdown to Courtland Sutton. But overall, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, as he noted after the game, appreciated that Pierre still gave it his all during the game.
“He stayed in the fight,” Tomlin said.
“I appreciate his mentality. He was tough-minded about it and stayed in the fight.”
Next up for Pittsburgh will be the key Sunday Night Football clash with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6.
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