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STEELERS vs. BROWNS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2009 KICKOFF 1:00 P.M. HEINZ FIELD
POST-GAME NOTES
Pittsburgh Team Notes:
• Pittsburgh won its 12th straight game against the Browns, which is the longest streak for the Steelers in the series history that dates back to 1950 and tied for the longest streak in the NFL (New England over Buffalo).
• The Steelers have won 18 of the past 19 games in the series overall and improved to 60-55 (postseason included) all-time against the Browns.
• Pittsburgh improved to 51-24 (including postseason) against the Browns since the NFL merger in 1970.
• The Steelers won their sixth straight game at home against Cleveland.
• The Steelers won their seventh straight game at Heinz Field, dating back to 2008.
• Pittsburgh has won seven of its last eight games against AFC North Division opponents and is 14-3 in its last 17 divisional games.
• The Steelers have won 13 of their past 16 games against AFC opponents and improved to 3-1 this year in such games.
• Pittsburgh jumped ahead 7-0 in the second quarter as TE Heath Millerhauled in an eight-yard touchdown pass from QB Ben Roethlisbergerwith 11:26 remaining. It marked Miller's 25th career receiving touchdown, moving him into second place on the team's all-time list for receiving touchdowns by a tight end. On the drive, Roethlisberger was 5-for-5 for 90 yards and the touchdown.
• The Steelers upped their lead to 14-0 in the second quarter as Roethlisberger hit WR Hines Wardfor a 52-yard touchdown with less than five minutes remaining in the half. It was Ward's team-best 74th career receiving touchdown and his longest touchdown catch since he had an 85-yard touchdown reception against the New England Patriots on Sept. 25, 2005.
• WR Joshua Cribbs returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-7.
• K Jeff Reedbooted a 32-yard field goal with seven seconds left in the first half to make it 17-7 at intermission. The Steelers appeared to go ahead 21-7 but a touchdown reception by Ward was overturned and they were forced to kick the field goal.
• Cleveland trimmed the lead to 17-14 in the third quarter as QB Derek Anderson hit FB Lawrence Vickers for a one-yard touchdown.
• The Steelers responded as RB Rashard Mendenhallscored from two yards out on the ensuing drive to give Pittsburgh a 24-14 advantage. On the drive, WR Mike Wallacehad a 21-yard run.
• Reed booted a 39-yard field goal with 5:42 remaining in the game to give the Steelers a 27-14 lead, which ended as being the final score.
• Pittsburgh finished with a season-high 543 yards of total offense (403 passing, 140 rushing) while limiting Cleveland to only 197 yards of offense (106 passing, 91 rushing).
• The Steelers had 28 first downs while holding the Browns to just 12.
• Pittsburgh lost three fumbles and Cleveland lost two.
• Pittsburgh held the ball for 36:46 to the Browns' 23:14.
• The Steelers had a 400-yard passer (Roethlisberger - 417) and two 100-yard receivers (Ward - 159; Holmes 104) for only the second time in team history. On Nov. 10, 2002, QB Tommy Maddox had a team-record 473 yards passing while WR Plaxico Burress had 253 yards receiving and Ward had 139 yards receiving in an overtime game.
• Pittsburgh finished with two sacks, two interceptions and forced two fumbles.
• QB Dennis Dixon (3rd QB), CB Keenan Lewis, FB Carey Davis, OG Kraig Urbik, OT Tony Hills, DE Sunny Harrisand LB Andre Frazierwere inactive for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Individual Notes:
QB Ben Roethlisberger
• Finished 23-of-35 for 417 yards passing with two touchdowns and one interception (113.6 passer rating).
• The 417 yards passing are the second-most for Roethlisberger (433 vs. Denver on Nov. 5, 2006) and they mark the third-highest passing total in team history.
• Marked the 10th time in his career in the regular season he has passed for over 300 yards and improved to 6-4 in such games.
• Marked his third straight 100-plus passer rating (113.6) and the 31st of his career in the regular season, which ties Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw for the most in team history.
• Posted over 300 yards passing for the third time in as many home games this season.
• Tossed an eight-yard touchdown pass to TE Heath Miller in the second quarter to put Pittsburgh ahead 7-0. On the drive, Roethlisberger was 5-for-5 for 90 yards and a touchdown.
• Connected with WR Hines Ward for a 52-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
• Improved to 55-22 as a starter.
• Improved to 23-5 as a starter against AFC North teams, including a 12-3 record at Heinz Field.
• Marked the 12th time he has posted at least a 100-plus passer rating against an AFC North team.
• Improved to 10-0 all-time against the Browns, including a 5-0 record at Heinz Field.
• Improved to 31-8 all-time in the regular season at Heinz Field.
• Improved to 15-5 all-time as a starter in the month of October.
RB Rashard Mendenhall
• Made his third straight start (fourth career) in place of RB Willie Parker.
• Finished with 62 yards rushing on 17 carries (3.6 avg.) with one touchdown.
• Scored on a two-yard rushing touchdown midway through the third quarter, his team-best fourth rushing touchdown of the year.
• Caught two passes for 15 yards (7.5 avg.).
RB Willie Parker
• Finished with 26 yards rushing on seven carries (3.7 avg.) after returning for the first time since Week 3 at Cincinnati.
WR Hines Ward
• Finished with eight catches for 159 yards (19.9 avg.) with one touchdown.
• His 159 yards receiving are the third-highest in his career and the most since he had a personal-best 171 on Oct. 22, 2006 at Atlanta.
• Had his 23rd career 100-yard receiving game and the third this season.
• Hauled in his second receiving touchdown of the season and his club-best 74th career receiving touchdown with a 52-yarder in the second quarter. It was also his longest since he had an 85-yard touchdown reception against the New England Patriots on Sept. 25, 2005.
• Has now caught a pass in a team-record 168 consecutive games.
• Has posted at least 100 yards receiving in each home game this season.
WR Santonio Holmes
• Posted 104 yards receiving on five catches (20.8 avg.), including a long of 41 yards.
• Marked his second 100-yard receiving game of the year (Week 1 vs. Tennessee) and the sixth of his career in the regular season.
• Had a season-long 41-yard reception in the second quarter down to the Cleveland eight-yard line.
WR Stefan Logan
• Had two kickoff returns for 55 yards (27.5 avg.), including a long of 29 yards.
WR Mike Wallace
• Finished with two catches for 50 yards (25.0 avg.), including a 29-yarder.
• Had a 21-yard run in the third quarter, which led to a two-yard rushing touchdown by RB Rashard Mendenhall.
TE Heath Miller
• Had 80 yards receiving on five catches (16.0 avg.) with one touchdown.
• Caught his team-best fourth receiving touchdown of the season in the second quarter. It was his 25th career receiving touchdown, moving him into second place on the team's all-time list for receiving touchdowns by a tight end.
• Had a season-long 25-yard reception early in the second quarter.
• Eclipsed 200 career receptions, becoming just the third tight end in team history to accomplish the feat. Miller now has 202 career receptions, which is tied for second in team history for tight ends with Bennie Cunningham.
• Team improved to 16-5 when Miller scores a touchdown.
DE Brett Keisel
• Posted six tackles (one solo) and added one fumble recovery.
LB LaMarr Woodley
• Had four tackles (three solo) with one tackle for loss and one QB hurry.
LB Lawrence Timmons
• Posted an eight-yard sack (second of the year) in the third quarter and forced his first fumble of the year.
• Forced a total of two fumbles and finished with five tackles (all solo) and two sacks (for 16 yards).
LB James Harrison
• Finished with five tackles (four solo) and one fumble recovery.
• Recovered his first fumble of the season on a forced fumble by LB Lawrence Timmons.
S Ryan Clark
• Posted his second interception of the season and the second in as many games with 4:21 left in the game.
• Finished with two tackles.
S Troy Polamalu
• Returned to action to start for the first time since Week 1.
• Posted his second interception of the season late in the first quarter, giving him one in each of two games he has played in. It was his 19th career interception.
• Has posted an interception in each of his last three home games he has played in, including the AFC Championship Game versus the Baltimore Ravens.
• Steelers improved to 15-3 all-time when he has an interception.
CB Ike Taylor
• Finished with a team-high (tied) six tackles (five solo).
• Started his 39th straight game at cornerback.
P Daniel Sepulveda
• Punted two times and averaged 45.5 yards per punt, including a long of 50 yards.
K Jeff Reed
• Was a perfect 3-for-3 in PATs and 2-for-2 in FGs for nine points.
• Booted a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
