National Football League

Drive changes momentum for Steelers

Published Oct. 19, 2010 10:17 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Steelers were pinned at their own 4 when Ben Roethlisberger came into the huddle with two requests: for protection, so he had time to make the throw; and for receiver Mike Wallace to catch it.

"I wasn't worried about that," Wallace said. "I told him, 'Just let it fly and I'll come down with it.'"

The result was a 50-yard pass play that sparked a five-play, 96-yard scoring drive at 3:13 of the third quarter in the Steelers' 28-10 victory Sunday afternoon over the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.

The drive opened up the offense on a day when Roethlisberger, returning from a four-game suspension, threw touchdown passes to receivers Wallace and Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller. All three targets played a pivotal role in a drive that gave the Steelers their first double-digit lead, 14-3.

"It helps a lot, at least for Hines and myself, when Mike's running by people on the other side," Miller said. "It's hard to cover him one-on-one, as fast as he is, without giving him 20 yards off the top and all the hitches. He opens things up for us. They've got to play a guy over the top, so a lot of the time the crossing routes open for us, and Ben was able to find us."

Wallace wasn't the initial option on that first-down play. Miller was the intended receiver, but a cornerback blitz left Wallace against the strong safety, a clear mismatch in Wallace's favor. The ensuing play was designed to have Wallace go across the field, but the Browns left Miller all alone for a 36-yard gain to the Cleveland 10. On third-and-goal at the Browns' 8, Roethlisberger found Ward, who fought his way from the 5 to the end zone.

"Guys were hitting me, left and right, but nobody really wrapped up," Ward said. "I just stayed on my feet. When I smelled that goal line, I didn't want to be denied. I reached over and it went for a touchdown.

"That drive showed us what type of character and what type of players were on our team and the determination of Ben to stay in the pocket until the last second and give the guys an opportunity to make plays. It was a total team-effort drive, and I think that drive kind of helped seal the game."