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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Silent for the previous eight quarters, the Steelers cranked up their touchdown machine, crossing the goal line twice in the third quarter to give them a 23-6 lead over the Carolina Panthers entering the final quarter tonight.
Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes to Antonio Brown in the quarter, but it did not come without a cost. The Steelers lost three defensive starters in the third quarter. Cornerback Ike Taylor left with what appeared to be a severe injury to his right forearm, perhaps a break. Linebackers Ryan Shazier (right knee) and Jarvis Jones (right wrist) also left the game for good.
The Steelers turned their first forced turnover of the season into their first touchdown since the second quarter of the season.
As Cam Newton dropped into the pocket to pass on third down at his 25, rushing linebacker Jarvis Jones was blocked into him and his shoulder hit Newton's arm, causing a fumble. Jason Worilds pounced on it at the 17.
The Steelers made it to the 11, where they lined up for a 30-yard field goal. However, the right side of the Carolina line was offsides, giving the Steelers new life with a first down at the seven.
Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown made them pay on the next play. Roethlisberger looked left, rolled right and heaved one into the right corner of the end zone, where Brown made a tap-toeing catch just in-bounds for the 7-yard score.
The Steelers led 16-3.
After Graham Gano kicked a 40-yard field goal for Carolina to make it 16-6, the Steelers offense went into high gear again.
Backed up to the eight and facing a second-and-22, Roethlisberger handed off to Le'Veon Bell, who ran up the middle and in the clear before he was tackled 81 yards away at the Carolina 11.
Roethlisberger and Brown hooked up again for a 7-yard touchdown pass after the quarterback eluded pressure and Brown streaked across the middle.
The Steelers led 23-6 as the game entered the final quarter. LIVE: Steelers-Panthers chat Join the conversation:
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