Skip to main content
Advertising

After further review: Imperfect game, perfect ending

It didn't end the way they wanted it to, other than with T.J. Watt emerging as Superman in overtime, with Chris Boswell remaining the Iceman when called upon with a game there for the taking (twice), and with a victory ultimately being secured that, the mathematics of a 17-game season aside, they had to have.

The Steelers weren't exactly celebrating having "improved" to 3-3 via Sunday night's 23-20 outlasting of Seattle, but they weren't apologizing, either.

Emerging with some much-needed self-awareness may yet prove as significant as crawling back to .500 entering the bye in the wake of a 1-3 start was critical.

"We just kept battling," defensive tackle Cam Heyward exhaled. "It's not always pretty.

"We know we're not a perfect team but who says we have to be perfect?

"Just gotta get the Ws."

The Steelers got one on Sunday night even though they blew a 14-0, second-half lead.

Even though they allowed 126 yards rushing on 22 carries in the second half.

Even though they gave up a field goal on the last play of regulation.

Even though they went three-and-out on their first possession of overtime.

All of that stuff often gets a team beat.

All of it occurring in the same game and you still win the game?

That's a tribute to resilience more than it is a revelation of imperfection.

That, at least, is a good way for the Steelers to embrace their current circumstances, which could be better but could also be much worse than 3-3 through six games with a timely opportunity to re-set at hand thanks to the upcoming bye.

Game action photos from the Steelers' Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Heinz Field