The Pittsburgh Steelers avoided history today in not becoming the first team in NFL history to not produce a takeaway in their first five games.
The Steelers not only picked up their first win of the season, a 19-6 victory over the New York Jets, the Steelers produced two takeaways in the win.
Leading 16-6, Ryan Clark intercepted Geno Smith late in the third quarter in the red zone as Smith threw into triple coverage on a pass intended for Konrad Reuland who was nowhere near position to make a play on the ball.
Clark’s INT marked the Steelers first takeaway of the season, a span of 18+ quarters, and Lawrence Timmons intercepted Smith late in the fourth quarter to cap off a two takeaway game for the defense. On Timmons INT, Jarvis Jones provided pressure getting to Smith as he let go of the pass.
The rookie QB has been hit or miss all season and he was off for much of the game as Smith was 19/34 for 201 yards, 0 touchdowns and 2 touchdowns.
The Steelers sacked Smith three times, getting sacks from LaMarr Woodley, Jason Worilds and Ziggy Hood.
Pittsburgh was effective in getting the Jets into third and long’s and New York was 3-11 on third down.
I thought the significant plays were the situational football plays, the red zone plays,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said of the win. “The red zone interception by Ryan Clark, the red zone interception by Lawrence Timmons after Jarvis Jones applied pressure to the quarterback. There are plays and then there are significant plays and splash plays, and situational plays. Today we made splash plays and that’s why we were able to win,” Tomlin said.