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 A mixture of trick plays and improbable bounces jolted Pittsburgh
from a 13-0 deficit to a 24-13 lead in a span of 2:54, which erased
an ugly start for the home side, who had been initially booed by
their own fans.
"We fought through some adversity," Pittsburgh quarter Ben
Roethlisberger told reporters after he threw for 265 yards and two
touchdowns.
"You don't expect to score that many points that fast. It was
crazy."
Wide receiver Antonio Brown also threw for a surprise touchdown
while Le'Veon Bell added 145 total yards and a receiving score.
Arian Foster rushed for 102 yards and had a receiving touchdown for
Houston but also had a costly fumble as the Texans were plagued by
three turnovers.
Pro Bowl defensive lineman J.J. Watt dominated early for the Texans
with a sack and a fumble recovery, but his team never recovered from
Pittsburgh's second-quarter outburst.
"We can't allow 24 points in (three minutes)," Watt said. If we can
stop shooting ourselves in the foot I think well be alright."
Pittsburgh's spark began when Roethlisberger lofted a 35-yard pass
to Martavis Bryant, who made the first catch of his NFL career to
pull the Steelers to 13-10.
On the Texans' next possession, Foster fumbled to give the home side
the ball at the Houston three-yard line.
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Pittsburgh then capitalized with a play that saw Brown take a
hand-off, reverse the field and throw a touchdown pass to Lance
Moore.
On Houston's next play from scrimmage, defensive end Brett Keisel
tipped a pass from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and intercepted it after it
ricocheted off Foster.
It resulted in a two-yard scoring connection from Roethlisberger to
Bell that gave the Steelers their 24-13 halftime cushion.
Shaun Suisham kicked two of his three field goals in the second half
to put the Steelers ahead 30-16 with about three minutes left.
Houston responded with a drive and a one-yard touchdown pass to
Foster, but they could not recover their final onside kick attempt.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg
Stutchbury)
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