Steelers rebound from first loss by blanking Seattle 21-0

Pittsburgh’s offense started slowly, then dominated the Seahawks.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ top defensive players stood on the sidelines for most of the second half, but only a couple of them were hurt. The rest stayed there simply because the offense wouldn’t let them on the field.

The Steelers’ 21-0 victory Sunday over Seattle, led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s improvising and creativity, might have been one of the few times where a shutout could be credited as much to the offense as the defense.

Pittsburgh’s offense took nearly a half to get going, then couldn’t be stopped as Roethlisberger directed three successive lengthy touchdown drives highlighted by Najeh Davenport’s runs and a series of catches by backup receivers.

“Coach [Mike] Tomlin says that a lot: We’ve got 53 playmakers, and you’ve got to make plays when your number is called,” Davenport said. “A lot of guys’ numbers got called.”

Called most of all was Roethlisberger’s No. 7.

He bounced back from a two-interception performance in the previous week’s 21-14 loss at Arizona to complete 13 consecutive passes. It was an impressive display of versatility given starting receivers Hines Ward (knee) and Santonio Holmes (hamstring) didn’t play. The Steelers’ record is 15 completions in a row by Bubby Brister in 1989.

Roethlisberger finished 18-of-22 for 206 yards and a touchdown.

“There were a lot of questions, obviously, with Hines being down and Santonio [being ruled out] right before the game, but there was no doubt in my mind those receivers would step up and they did a great job,” Roethlisberger said. “They got open for me and caught the ball.”

With Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker held to 17 yards on 10 carries before he found a rhythm, the Steelers (4-1) stalled until the 247-pound Davenport ran 45 yards to the Seahawks 20 late in the second quarter of a scoreless game.

Roethlisberger found tight end Heath Miller for 13 yards and a touchdown with just under two minutes left in the half to finish off a 10-play drive. It was the first series of any consequence by either team after nine consecutive punts

On an unusually warm day, the Seahawks got tired merely sitting on the sunny side of the field with the temperature in the high 80s. Members of Seattle’s support staff created some shade by holding large protective screens over the players’ heads.

It didn’t help a defense that was on the field nearly the entire second half. The Steelers held a 24:53 to 5:07 edge in time of possession.

Seattle completed only two passes in the second half against a Steelers defense that was missing two injured Pro Bowl players, safety Troy Polamalu (ribs) and nose tackle Casey Hampton (hamstring).

“We felt this game would be about attrition, we were going to beat on you and beat on you and beat on you until you give up,” Davenport said. “I think the run I had sparked the offense and got things moving.”

Of the Steelers’ 18 receptions, only four were by a starter — all by Miller. Cedrick Wilson had five catches for 69 yards, including three on a long third-quarter drive. Davenport had four catches. Nate Washington had three.

It wasn’t quite a replay of the Steelers’ 21-10 win over Seattle in the February 2006 Super Bowl, except for Pittsburgh’s ability to prevent big plays by quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and running back Shaun Alexander. The Steelers led 342-144 in total offense.