Steelers 19, New York Jets 6
October 13, 2013
MetLife Stadium
If a team ever needed a win, the Steelers definitely were that team headed into a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
The Steelers were 0-4 heading into the game, including a loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. It was their worst start to a season since 1968 when they lost their first six games of the year.
The game got off to an auspicious start when the Jets defense forced a three-and-out on the Steelers' first two series, and then added a Nick Folk 25-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
But this week, things were going to turn out different. Shaun Suisham answered with a 46-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3, and gave the Steelers a 6-3 lead with a 33-yard field goal on the next drive. Suisham extended the lead to 9-3 on a 46-yard field goal, but the kicking contest continued when Folk hit from 39-yards out to cut the Steelers lead to 9-6 at halftime.
The offense came to life to start the second half. On third-and-one from the 45-yard line, Roethlisberger hit Emmanuel Sanders on a play action fake, burning the Jets' defense for a 55-yard touchdown and 16-6 lead.
That fired the defense up as well, who were stingy in the first half allowing the Jets just 112 total yards and on the day held the Jets to 3-of-11 (27%) on third down conversions. With the Jets driving, safety Ryan Clark intercepted Geno Smith at the one-yard line, and returned it to the 14-yard line to squelch a potential comeback.
Suisham added another field goal for a 19-6 lead, and Ryan Shazier sealed the deal when he picked off Smith at the three-yard line and put a stop to another Jets drive.
"When you have that zero in the win column, your mind automatically goes to let's get this first win," said Clark. "Now you are just trying to win every game. There is not as much pressure on each and every play, especially for the younger guys that have never had a win. It's good to know what it's like to come into a locker room after a 'W.'"
It was the 600th win in Steelers franchise history, including the postseason, but more importantly it was the first win of the 2013 season, a win that a struggling team desperately needed.
"That is a significant win for us, get that started for 2013," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "I told the guys in the locker room there was nothing mystical about it. We maintained possession of the football and got the football. Big splash plays defensively, maintained possession of the ball offensively and came together in the midst of the natural adversity that football games present. Hopefully it was a springboard of things to come.
"It is a good feeling, not like you won the lottery, but it is still a good feeling none the less."
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