Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) vs. Arizona Cardinals (4-1)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
Site: Heinz Field (68,400) - Pittsburgh, Pa.
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
TV Coverage: FOX-TV (locally WPGH-TV, channel 53)
Announcers: Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color analyst) & Peter Schrager (sideline)
Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network, WDVE-FM (102.5)/WBGG-AM (970)
Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Tunch Ilkin (color analyst) & Craig Wolfl ey (sideline)
**
A LOOK AT THE COACHES:**
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin
Overall regular-season record: 85-48 (.639)/ninth season
Regular-season record with Pittsburgh: 85-48 (.639)/ninth season
Playoff Record/Years: 5-4/five years
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians
Overall regular-season record: 25-12 (.676)/third season
Regular-season record with Arizona: 25-12 (.676)/third season
Playoff Record/Years: 0-1/one year
STEELERS-CARDINALS SERIES HISTORY
Series History: Series began in 1933
Overall Regular Season: Steelers lead, 32-23-3
At Pittsburgh: Steelers lead, 21-8-1
At Arizona: Cardinals lead, 15-11-2
Neutral Sites: n/a
Streak: Steelers won previous meeting
Last Regular-Season Meeting: Oct. 23, 2011, at Arizona
Pittsburgh 32, Arizona 20
Postseason Series: Steelers lead, 1-0
Last Post-Season Meeting: Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa - Super Bowl XLIII
Pittsburgh 27, Arizona 23
(preseason and postseason record not included in overall series record)
This week's game marks the 59th time the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals will meet in the regular season and the 31st time in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are 21-8-1 vs. the Cardinals ... the two teams have met 16 times in the month of October in the regular season series, with the Steelers owning a two-game advantage of 9-7 in the month of October vs. the Cardinals.
**
Photos from the Steelers victory vs. the Cardinals on February 1, 2009 at Super Bowl XLIII.
THE LAST TIME VS. ARIZONA**
Pittsburgh 32, Arizona 20
Oct. 23, 2011
University of Phoenix Stadium (62,475)
GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Steelers won their third consecutive game, defeating the Arizona Cardinals 32-20 at the University of Phoenix Stadium. With the win, the Steelers improved to 5-2 on the season, including 2-0 against the NFC West.
The Steelers scored a touchdown on their first possession for the third straight game after S Ryan Clark intercepted QB Kevin Kolb off a tipped pass to set the Steelers up at the Cardinals 31-yard line. Five plays later, QB Ben Roethlisberger found TE Heath Miller for a 12-yard score, and the Steelers led 7-0.
Midway through the second quarter, Roethlisberger and WR Mike Wallace connected on a 95-yard touchdown reception. It was the longest pass play in Steelers' history and second-longest play from scrimmage in team history. Wallace has now recorded one reception of at least 40 yards in six consecutive games, which is the longest streak in the NFL since Isaac Bruce in 2000. Wallace fi nished with a game-high 118 yards receiving and one touchdown.
With the Steelers up 14-0, the Cardinals answered with a 13-play 80-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard run by RB Alfonso Smith to cut the lead 14-7. The Steelers went into halftime with a 17-7 lead when K Shaun Suisham connected on a 41-yard fi eld goal as time expired.
The Cardinals cut the lead 17-14 when Kolb found RB LaRod Stephens-Howling for a 73-yard touchdown. But the Steelers put the game out of reach on their next three drives. Roethlisberger found WR Emmanuel Sanders for a four-yard touchdown to put the Steelers up 24-14. Then the Steelers registered a safety, their first since the 2008 season. LB LaMarr Woodley pressured Kolb in the end zone and Kolb was flagged for intentional grounding.
Suisham added two field goals in the fourth quarter (42, 39) to give the Steelers a 32-14 lead. The Cardinals added one score late in the fourth quarter.
Roethlisberger finished the game 26-of-39 for 361 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions, guiding the Steelers' offense to a season-high 445 total yards. Woodley added two sacks, marking the second time in his career that he's had three consecutive multi-sack games.GAME SUMMARY
STEELERS (5-2) | 7 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 32 |
Cardinals (1-5) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
TEAM | Q | TIME | PLAY | DRIVE | SCORE |
PIT | 1 | 9:39 Miller 12 yd. pass from Roethlisberger (Suisham kick) | 5-31; 3:07 | 7-0 | |
PIT | 2 | 8:09 Wallace 95 yd. pass from Roethlisberger (Suisham kick) | 1-91; 0:12 | 14-0 | |
ARZ | 2 | 1:20 Smith 1 yd. run (Feely kick) | 13-80; 6:49 | 14-7 | |
PIT | 2 | 0:00 Suisham 41 yd. FG | 8-52; 1:20 | 17-7 | |
ARZ | 3 | 9:26 Stephens-Howling 73 yd. pass from Kolb (Feely kick) | 6-89; 2:40 | 17-14 | |
PIT | 3 | 3:54 Sanders 4 yd. pass from Roethlisberger (Suisham kick) | 11-80; 5:32 | 24-14 | |
PIT | 3 | 3:42 Penalty on Kolb enforced in end zone for a Safety | ----; ---- | 26-14 | |
PIT | 4 | 11:30 Suisham 42 yd. FG | 13-51; 7:12 | 29-14 | |
PIT | 4 | 6:46 Suisham 39 yd. FG | 7-19; 4:10 | 32-14 | |
ARZ | 4 | 3:53 Doucet 2 yd. pass from Kolb (Pass failed) | 11-71; 2:53 | 32-20 |
**
STEELERS-CARDINALS CONNECTIONS*
*Former Steelers/Cardinals
• Steelers OC Todd Haley held the same position with the Cardinals for two seasons (2007-08).
• Pittsburgh OLB coach Joey Porter played his final two years in the NFL with the Cardinals (2010-11).
• Steelers CB William Gay played for Arizona for one year (2012).
• Arizona HC Bruce Arians was a long-time OC/WR coach for the Steelers (2004-11).
• Cardinals assist. HC/offense Tom Moore previously served as the Steelers WR coach, QB coach and OC between the years of 1977-89.
• Cardinals OC Harold Goodwin was an offensive asst. for Pittsburgh for five years (2007-11).
• Arizona STC Amos Jones was the asst. ST/STC with the Steelers for six seasons (2007-12).
• Cardinals DL coach Brentson Buckner played for the Steelers from 1994-96 and also served as a training camp/coaching intern with Pittsburgh following his playing career (2010-12).
• Arizona ILB coach Larry Foote is a two-time Super Bowl champion (XL, XLIII), who played 11 seasons with the Steelers (2002-08, 10-13). He began his career as a fourth round selection by the Steelers in the 2002 NFL Draft.
• Arizona OL coach Larry Zierlein held the same position with the Steelers (2007-09).
• Cardinals LB LaMarr Woodley was drafted by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played seven seasons with the Steelers (2007-2013), where he helped the team win Super Bowl XLII and advance to Super Bowl XLV. His 57.0 sacks rank fi fth on the team's all-time list.
• Cardinals P Drew Butler spent one season with Pittsburgh (2012).
• Cardinals scout Luke Palko was a Steelers player personnel intern for two seasons (2007-08).
• Cardinals video director Rob Brakel spent nine seasons as a video asst. for the Steelers (1998-2007).
Area Connections
• Steelers WR Markus Wheaton is a native of Chandler, Ariz.
• Steelers S Robert Golden played collegiately at Arizona.
• Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald played for the University of Pittsburgh (2002-03). In just 26 games, he caught 161 passes 2,677 yards and 34 touchdowns. He is the first player in school history to have back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Fitzgerald finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2003, along with earning All-American honors, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the Biletnikoff Award. Fitzgerald became the ninth Pitt player in school history to have his number (1) retired in September of 2013.
• Arizona C/G A.Q. Shipley is a native of Moon, Pa., and attended Moon Area High School. Shipley also played collegiately at Penn State.
• Cardinals scout Mike Boni was born in Moon, Pa., and attended Moon Area High School.
• Cardinals scout Luke Palko is from Imperial, Pa., and attended West Allegheny High School. Tyler, his brother, played at the University of Pittsburgh and spent time with both the Steelers and Cardinals as a quarterback.
• Cardinals video director Rob Brakel attended Robert Morris University.
• Arizona Executive VP/CEO Ron Minegar was born in Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Arizona STC Amos Jones was the kicking game coordinator for the University of Pittsburgh for one season (1992).
• Arizona asst. strength and conditioning coach Roger Kingdom attended the University of Pittsburgh and was the Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at California University (Pa.) from 2004-13.
• Arizona strength and conditioning coach Buddy Morris was a four year letterman for the University of Pittsburgh (1977-80) and held the same position at Pitt after graduating (1980-89, 1997-2001, 2007-10). Morris is a native of South Park, Pa.
• Cardinals DB coach Nick Rapone is a native of New Castle, Pa., and was an All-State receiver at New Castle High School, where he later was named the HC (1993-94). He also served as a GA (1979-80) and DC/DB coach (1989-92) for the University of Pittsburgh.
NFL Connections
• Pittsburgh OC Todd Haley worked with Arizona QB coach Freddie Kitchens for one year in Dallas (2006).
• Steelers DC Keith Butler worked with Arizona HC Bruce Arians and OL coach Larry Zierlein in Cleveland for two years (2001-02).
• Steelers STC Danny Smith was on staff with Cardinals RB coach Stump Mitchell in Washington (2008-09).
• Steelers OL coach Mike Munchak was a coach in Tennessee at the same time Cardinals RB Chris Johnson was a Titan (2008-13).
• Munchak was also on staff in Tennessee from 2000-01, while Arizona LS Mike Leach was a Titan.
• Pittsburgh RB coach James Saxon was on staff in Miami, while Arizona S Chris Clemons was a Dolphin (2009-10).
• Steelers QB Mike Vick played with Cardinals RB Chris Johnson for the Jets in 2014.
• Steelers TE Matt Spaeth played for Chicago, while Cardinals WR coach Darryl Drake held the same position with the Bears (2011-12).
• Pittsburgh S Mike Mitchell was coached by Arizona CB coach Kevin Ross in Oakland, where Ross was the S coach (2010-11).
• Steelers WR Darrius Heyward-Bey and Cardinals QB Carson Palmer and T Jared Veldheer also played in Oakland during that span.
• Steelers LB Arthur Moats was under the direction of Cardinals LB coach Bob Sanders in Buffalo for three seasons (2010-12).
• Steelers CB Brandon Boykin played with Cardinals QB Matt Barkley in Philadelphia for two years (2013-14).
College Connections
• Steelers LB Jarvis Jones and Cardinals P Drew Butler were Georgia teammates from 2009-11.
• Pittsburgh WR Martavis Bryant played with Arizona K Chandler Catanzaro (2011-13), WR Jaron Brown (2011-12) and RB Andre Ellington (2011-12) at Clemson.
• Pittsburgh DE Stephon Tuitt was teammates with Arizona WR Michael Floyd at Notre Dame (2011).
• Tuitt also played with Cardinals TE Troy Niklas (2011-13) at Notre Dame..
• Steelers QB Landry Jones played at Oklahoma with Cardinals S Tony Jefferson (2010-12).
• Steelers G David DeCastro was teammates with Cardinals RB Stepfan Taylor and DE Josh Mauro at Stanford for three seasons (2009-11).
**
PIT-ARI SERIES HIGHS* *Passing Yards Steelers:Ben Roethlisberger - 361 (10/23/2011) Cardinals: Charley Johnson - 428 (10/13/1963)
Rushing Yards
Steelers: Jerome Bettis - 142 (11/30/1997)
Cardinals: John David Crow - 203 (12/18/1960)
Receiving Yards
Steelers: Buddy Dial - 186 (12/2/1962)
Cardinals: Jackie Smith - 212 (10/13/1963)
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
FROM THE STEELERS
• With a win, the Steelers will improve to 427-273-2 during the regular season since 1970.
• The Steelers look to improve to 33-23-3 all-time against the Cardinals in the regular season and to 22-8-1 at home.
• Pittsburgh will look to win its second consecutive game against Arizona and improve to 10-7 in the month of October vs. Arizona and move to 6-3 at home in the month of October against the Cardinals.
FROM HEAD COACH MIKE TOMLIN
• A win would improve Tomlin to 86-48 during the regular season, inlcuding 49-18 at home.
• Coach Tomlin looks to improve to 2-1 in the regular season against Arizona and win his fi rst home game vs. the Cardinals.
• With a win, would improve to 24-9 in the month of October and to 14-3 in the month at home.
FROM THE STEELERS OFFENSE
QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER
• Needs 31 passing yards to become the first Steelers quarterback with 40,000 and to become the ninth passer in league history to reach the mark with one team.
• With 3,000 passing yards in 2015, will become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to throw for 3,000 yards in 10 consecutive seasons.
• Will record his 40th 300-yard passing game with his next such game in 2015 and become the ninth signal caller to do so with one franchise.
**
QB MIKE VICK**
• With his next start and win will have 61 regular-season victories as a starting quarterback in his NFL career.
• Two touchdown passes to record 135 in his NFL career.
• Needs 196 pass completions to reach 2,000 in his NFL career.
WR ANTONIO BROWN
• With two touchdown catches, will move into a tie for ninth in team history with Mike Wallace (32).
• With his next 100-yard game, will become the third player in in franchise history with 20-such performances in the regular season (Hines Ward – 29 and John Stallworth - 25).
• With 100 receptions in 2015, will extend his franchise record of consecutive seasons with at least 100 catches to three.
• With 110 catches in 2015, will become the second player in NFL history to record 110 or more receptions in three consecutive years (Wes Welker, 2007-09).
• With 125 receptions in 2015, would become the first player in NFL history to record back-to-back seasons of 125 catches or more.
• With 1,000 receiving yards in 2015, will join Hines Ward (2001-04) as only the second player in franchise history to register 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive years.
• Will surpass Lynn Swann (5,534) for the eighth-most yards from scrimmage in team history with 61.
• With 136 yards from scrimmage, will become the eighth Steeler in team history with at least 6,000.
TE HEATH MILLER
• Is 52 receptions from joining Hines Ward (1,000) as the second player in team history with 600.
• Needs six touchdown catches to become just the fourth player in Steelers history with 50.
• Is 204 yards from scrimmage away from moving into fifth in team history (Louis Lipps, 6,406).
• With 50 receptions in 2015, will record his fifth consecutive 50-catch season.
**
RB LeVEON BELL**
• With 100 rushing yards on Sunday, will have eight 100-yard games in his NFL career.
• With 100 rushing yards on Sunday, will become the first Steelers running back since Willie Parker (2006-07, four games) to record 100 rushing yards in three consecutive games.
• With 100 yards from scrimmage this week, will have totaled 21 games in his NFL career with 100 yards or more.
• With 1,000 rushing yards in 2015 will become the fifth Steelers running back to produce back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and the first since Rashard Mendenhall in 2009-10.
RB DeANGELO WILLIAMS
• Will record the 20th 100-yard rushing game of his career with his next 100-yard performance.
• Will reach 50 rushing touchdowns in his NFL career with his next rushing score.
FROM THE STEELERS DEFENSE
DE CAMERON HEYWARD
• Needs 3.0 sacks on to record 5.0 quarterback takedowns in three straight seasons.
LB JAMES HARRISON
• One multi-sack game to break a tie with Jason Gildon (17) for the most such games in team history.
CB WILLIAM GAY
• Will match Rod Woodson (5) for the most interceptions returned for touchdowns in team history with his next pick six.
FROM THE STEELERS SPECIAL TEAMS
WR/PR ANTONIO BROWN
• Needs 208 punt return yards to move into second in team history (Antwaan Randle El, 1,650).
• One punt return for a touchdown to tie Antwaan Randle El (4) for the most in Steelers history.