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5 Takeaways From Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 15 Win

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5 Takeaways From Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 15 Win

Pittsburgh Steelers
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

In a battle of fanbases certain their own team was going to screw up somehow, it was the Pittsburgh Steelers who entered the confines of the Georgia Dome and pulled out a 27-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. And friendly confines they were, with Pittsburgh fanatics invading Atlanta’s home field at will. The win keeps the Steelers firmly in the AFC North division race. Here’s what to take away from the key win.

5. Don’t Hurry Back, Ike

William Gay
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

5. Don’t Hurry Back, Ike

William Gay
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers didn’t miss former starting cornerback Ike Taylor one bit this Sunday. Taylor was kept on the sideline due to a nagging injury but has looked like a shell of his former self since suffering an ugly forearm injury in Week 3. In his place, William "Big Play" Gay steeped up admirably, snagging a pick-six on a Polamalu-esque run to the end zone and forcing a couple of key drops in the second half.

4. Le'Veon Bell Will Find a Way To Hurt You

Le'Veon Bell
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

4. Le'Veon Bell Will Find a Way To Hurt You

Le'Veon Bell
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

You’re not seeing things, fantasy players. A starting running back really did rack up that many points averaging well under three yards per carry for the game. Atlanta’s D-line came to play, at least against the run. Even with an absence of running lanes, Bell still found a way to slam it in for two touchdowns. Oh, and he’s the best receiving back in the NFL to boot. He had five catches, 72 yards and zero answers from the Atlanta D.

3. Traps and Pulls Are the Best-Kept Secret In the ‘Burgh

Le'Veon Bell
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

3. Traps and Pulls Are the Best-Kept Secret In the ‘Burgh

Le'Veon Bell
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

When the running game did kick into gear, it was the unconventional blocking that served as the catalyst. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley has spent the last few weeks perfecting a dangerous pulling scheme out of two-tight-end sets, which involves TEs Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth, as well as rapidly-improving guard David DeCastro, all pulling to the left and plowing a free lane for Bell to just do what he does.

2. No One Knows What ‘Roughing the Passer’ Is Anymore

Penalty flag
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

2. No One Knows What ‘Roughing the Passer’ Is Anymore

Penalty flag
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta’s first scoring drive of the day was punctuated by a controversial call on Pittsburgh linebacker Jason Worilds. A take down that would’ve brought up a Falcons’ third down well outside field goal range was instead soured by a ‘roughing the passer’ call. Even at normal speed, the hit looked clean, and replays confirmed Worilds’ helmet and shoulders made contact simultaneously below the head. Let’s hope Jack Lambert wasn’t watching.

1. The Defense Isn’t Good, But It Is Good Enough

Brice McCain Roddy White
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Defense Isn’t Good, But It Is Good Enough

Brice McCain Roddy White
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

With the exception of last year – where the best team in each conference met in the Super Bowl – the final three weeks of the regular season have typically been the time for good teams to get on a roll and charge into the playoffs playing their best football. With an offense this explosive, the defense won’t need to be dominant. A Gay pick here, a Blake pass defense there and a Spence tackle-for-loss on top just might be enough to cement victory.

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