Pittsburgh came crashing down on Carolina Sunday with full force. Looking like the Steelers of old, quarterback Big Ben Roethlisberger fed the ball to powerhouse running backs Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount on offense while a virtual Latter-Day Steel Curtain fell on Panthers' quarterback Cam Newton. The defense shut him down, only allowing one touchdown pass as Pittsburgh went on to top Carolina 37-19.
Establishing a punishing running game is what the Steelers were all about under Chuck Knoll. It's good to see them get back to that hard-nosed, smash-mouth football.
With a hard-hitting offensive line and the twin bruisers Bell and Blount in the backfield, defenses barely stand a chance (via USA Today):
"'Coming into a hostile environment we really put it on those guys,' said Bell. 'We came in with a chip on our shoulders and showed we're the real Steelers... We can be very good. We're nowhere where we want to be yet as an offense especially.'"
Pittsburgh's defense was rowdy, too. Recalling the old days of the Steel Curtain, Pittsburgh's front line got in Cam Newton's face and made him work for everything he got (via SB Nation):
"Newton was constantly under pressure, including a hit to his knee that left him limping slightly. He didn't play badly, exactly, going 24 for 35 with 250 yards and a touchdown, but he missed some easy throws to the edges and wasn't able to sustain drives."
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