Firing early: Ben Roethlisberger came out firing against the Dolphins, completing his first 11 passes, including two long touchdowns to Antonio Brown on the first two drives, one for 50 yards and one for 62 yards, in a 30-12 win over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card Round.
Roethlisberger finished the day completing 13 of 18 passes for 197 yards and the two touchdowns, and said the plan was to open the game passing the ball and then let that open up the run game.
"We started the game off throwing the ball," said Roethlisberger. "That created the open running game. We've gone into games where we've run it to throw. This game we came out throwing to run. We had a mindset on the third series we were going to go to the jumbo and bring in the extra lineman, (Chris) Hubbard, and we were going to run on four straight downs if we had to.
"You've got to do what's best for the team. The running game opened up and worked."
Roethlisberger said he injured his ankle on the second to the last snap of the game, but plans to be ready to go next week when the Steelers play the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round.
"I don't know anything yet, but we will find out soon," said Roethlisberger. "You always worry about being hurt, but I will be out there next week." Bell rings: Le'Veon Bell made his first-ever postseason game a memorable one when he carried the ball 29 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
"I think the offensive line did an incredible job of controlling the line of scrimmage," said Bell. "It made my job r
eal easy. The receivers on the edge, getting on their defensive backs and the safeties, and Ben (Roethlisberger) putting us in the right situation. It was a total team effort today. I was trying to run hard and get what I could."
Bell set a Steelers' single-game postseason record with his 167 yards rushing, something he learned when it was announced and shown on the scoreboard in Heinz Field during the game.
"They announced it and that is when I saw it," said Bell. "It kind of blew me away. It's really humbling. It goes to show you how good this team is. We are getting there and it's really showing."
Shut them down: The first time the Steelers and Dolphins met in Week 6 of the season, Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi rushed for 204 yards. There would be no repeat of that performance at Heinz Field. The Steelers' defense didn't let Ajayi have anything, holding him to just 33 yards on 16 carries.
The defense dominated in the game, with five sacks, including two by Ryan Shazier. Timmons added 14 tackles.
William Gay had 10 tackles, one and a half sacks, and forced a fumble.
"I have been feeling good later in the season," said Harrison. "I work on my body. I pray a lot harder. Since I am getting older I need more help from God than anything. I am just feeling all right."
Making history: With the win over the Dolphins the Steelers now have 35 postseason wins, the most in NFL history. The Steelers went ahead of the Dallas Cowboys, who have 34 postseason wins.
