Brown, Big Ben propel Steelers

Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.

After showing his displeasure toward the Pittsburgh sideline, Ben Roethlisberger then took out whatever frustrations he had on the Buffalo Bills’ defense in the Steelers’ 38-7 preseason victory on Saturday night.

Roethlisberger finished 17 of 24 for 169 yards passing, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown to cap a 98-yard drive in the final seconds of the first half. Brown also scored on a 39-yard TD pass from Byron Leftwich a minute into the second half in helping the Steelers (No. 7 in the AP Pro32) improve to 2-1.

“I just started calling my own plays,” said Roethlisberger, who at one point angrily gestured at his sideline after the Steelers were penalized for an illegal substitution early in their 98-yard march. “We went no-huddle and up-tempo, and we were throwing the ball.”

Brown finished with seven catches for 108 yards and was impressed with how the Steelers responded from a slow start.

“It was all Ben,” Brown said. “It’s all about how you respond to adversity. I think we did a good job rallying back toward the end of the half.”

Isaac Redman also scored on a 2-yard run, Leftwich threw two touchdown passes, including a 10-yarder to Derrick Williams, and running back Chris Rainey capped the rout with a 41-yard touchdown run with 2:44 left.

The Steelers defense also contributed, forcing three turnovers — a forced fumble and two interceptions — all of which led directly to touchdowns.

The Bills (No. 19) dropped to 0-3 this preseason while continuing a trend of familiar struggles on both offense and defense. And that’s not what coach Chan Gailey was looking for this week.