LAWRENCE TIMMONS
Inside Linebacker
Mike Tomlin and coordinator Keith Butler have talked all season about the need for the defense to come up with splash plays, and the unit responded in what ended up being a 24-14 victory over the New York Giants today at Heinz Field.
The Steelers finished the game with two sacks and two interceptions, and none of those plays was more important than the one made by Ryan Shazier in the second quarter with the Steelers trying to protect a 5-0 lead. On a second-and-4 from the Steelers 9-yard line, Eli Manning had tight end Larry Donnell open in the end zone, but after the ball was thrown, Timmons ranged over from his spot in the middle of the field, jumped high in the air and extended his arms to make the interception, and then he gathered himself to return the ball to the Giants 40-yard line. Three plays later, a Steelers touchdown upped their lead to 11-0.
Timmons also tied for the team lead with seven tackles and added another pass defensed. He is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
Also considered were Sean Davis, who also finished with seven tackles and added his first NFL interception; Mike Mitchell, who had five tackles and broke up two passes; Ladarius Green, who caught six passes for 110 yards and a touchdown; William Gay, who had three tackles, including one for loss, plus a sack, and he drew a holding penalty in the end zone that resulted in a safety; Le'Veon Bell, who carried 29 times for 118 yards (4.1 average) and also caught six passes for 64 yards to finish with 182 yards from scrimmage; Ben Roethlisberger, who completed 24-of-36 (67 percent), with two touchdowns, one interception, and a rating of 98.0; Ricardo Mathews, who had two tackles, and a sack on a fourth down play to turn the ball over on downs; and Randy Bullock, who was 3-for-3 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points.
