Fresh off their bye week, the Steelers took advantage of mistakes made by the Rams and narrowly escaped SoFi Stadium with a 24-17 win.
The Rams led by six at the half after Matthew Stafford found Tutu Atwell with 17 seconds remaining. The Steelers then caught a break early in the third as TJ Watt picked off Stafford and took it to the Rams’ seven-yard line, setting up a three-play scoring drive, capped off by a QB sneak by Kenny Pickett.
The Rams answered back with a touchdown and two-point conversion, but after a missed field goal, Jaylen Warren tied the game with a 13-yard rush. Najee Harris followed him at the 7:20 mark with a three-yard score to put the Steelers in front.
George Pickens finished the game with five receptions and 107 yards while Diontae Johnson collected 79 yards on five catches in his first game off injured reserve. Rookie linebacker Nick Herbig and veteran Larry Ogunjobi also finished with a sack. Chris Boswell notched a 53-yard field goal.
Coach Mike Tomlin was pleased with the fight his team showed after not competing for two weeks, but he knows they need to work on keeping their emotions in check.
Tomlin was also impressed with how Kenny Pickett battled against a tough Rams defense.
Pickett finished 17-of-25 passing with 230 yards and a rushing touchdown. He said they did a great job slowing down Rams All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
He adds the Steelers are playing at a high level.
Watt said the Steelers made it a point of emphasis to not come out of the bye week flat-footed.
Stafford said the Rams missed several opportunities against a “good football team” in the Steelers.
On the injury front, linebacker Cole Holcomb suffered an ankle injury early in the game but was cleared to return.
The Steelers welcome 5-2 Jacksonville to Acrisure Stadium this Sunday.
NFL
Around the AFC North, the Ravens squashed Detroit, 38-6, and the Browns edged Indianapolis, 39-38, on a one-yard touchdown by Kareem Hunt with 15 seconds left.
Former Shepherd QB Tyson Bagent continued turning heads as he led Chicago to a 30-12 win over Las Vegas. Bagent completed 21-of-29 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, and added 24 rushing yards on three carries.
Week Seven concludes tonight with San Francisco battling Minnesota.
