Pittsburgh 32 – Arizona 20

QB Ben Roethlisberger connected with Mike Wallace for a 95 yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, the longest pass play in Steelers history and Pittsburgh went on to hand the Arizona Cardinals their fifth consecutive loss, 32-20 on Sunday.
Roethlisberger who went 25 of 38 for 340 yards, also had TD passes of 12 yards to Heath Miller and 4 yards to Emmanuel Sanders in the first game between the teams since Pittsburgh’s 27-23 thriller over the Cardinals in the 2009 Super Bowl.
Kevin Kolb had his moments, throwing a pair of touchdown passes but missed several open receivers and with a blitzing LaMarr Woodley in his face, drew an intentional grounding call in the Cardinals’ end zone for a safety.
Woodley was in Kolbs face all game, collecting two sacks and seven tackles in the game. Woodley provided constant pressure and was excellent against the run.
Pittsburgh (5-2) won its third straight and improved to 2-2 on the road. The Steelers have a week 8 showdown at home next Sunday against the New England Patriots.
The Steelers lost Hines Ward to an ankle injury but the team didn’t miss a beat as Antonio Brown hauled in 7 catches for 102 yards and Emmanuel Sanders added 5 receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown.
Tidbits
*The Steelers are 5-2 at the seven game mark for the fifth straight season (2007-2011). They made the post-season in 2007, 2008, and 2010 following a 5-2 start.
*Ben Roethlisberger’s (25/38, 340 Yds, 3 TD) 95 yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace in the second quarter was the longest passing play in Steelers history and 2nd longest play from scrimmage in team history.
*Wallace (3 REC – 118 Yards – 1TD) has 13 touchdown catches of 40 yards or more in his career.
*Roethlisberger went over 300 yards in the third quarter and the Steelers held the ball for 12:08 in the third, highlighted by a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive with Roethlisberger connecting with Emmanuel Sanders for a 4 yard TD pass.
*Roethlisberger in his last three games: 9 Touchdowns – 1 Interception. Previous four Games: 3 Touchdowns – 5 Interceptions.
*Antonio Brown had a career day, hauling in 7 receptions for 102 yards, both career highs. Overall, Brown had 215 all-purpose yards.
*LaMarr Woodley’s 2-sack game gives him 5.5 sacks in his last three games and 7 overall this season. It was Woodley’s 12th career 2-sack game. Woodley was dominant, leading the Steelers with 7 tackles, 6 solo, 2 sacks, and causing a safety.
*Larry Fitzgerald had 4 receptions for 78 yards in the loss. He was targeted 10 times.
NOTES
Defensive End Aaron Smith will need neck surgery, head coach Mike Tomlin said after the game, which prompted the Steelers to place Smith on injured reserve yesterday.