They got it twice when it mattered most.
“We’re a great defense because of the way we play,’’ safety Ryan Clark said. “Turnovers tend to come in spurts. That’s what separates teams from being a great defense. Today, we were able to help us win it.’’
It all came together in a game the Steelers badly needed. When Baltimore lost to Seattle 22-17 later Sunday, Pittsburgh was back atop the AFC North. Cincinnati and Baltimore are tied for second at 6-3.
Ben Roethlisberger led long, balanced drives while thousands of Steelers fans waved Terrible Towels amid the first sellout crowd of the season at Paul Brown Stadium. Mendenhall’s 9-yard run put the Steelers’ up 24-17 late in the third quarter, leaving it to the defense to finish the win off.
First, linebacker Lawrence Timmons picked off a deflected pass, ending a drive at the Pittsburgh 33. William Gay pulled off the clincher, stepping in front of Jerome Simpson for an interception at the 19-yard line with 2:27 left.
“It was two big plays that helped change the game,’’ linebacker James Farrior said. “It was awesome. I’m especially proud of William Gay. You guys and even some of our fans really got on him this week.’’
Gay let Torrey Smith get behind him for a 26-yard touchdown catch with 8 seconds left in Baltimore’s 23-20 win at Pittsburgh last Sunday.
Wasn’t going to happen again.
Dalton handled most of what Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau threw at him until the end. He had two more touchdown passes, giving him 14 overall — the most by a rookie quarterback in his first nine games since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. He wasn’t sacked even though the Steelers blitzed him every way they could.
“I felt like we had a really good grasp on what they were doing,’’ said Dalton, who was 15 of 30 for 170 yards. “Even with all the movements and shifts that they were doing, I still thought we had a good feel.’’
Until the fourth quarter.
