The Steelers entered Sunday’s game against the Jets as a slight underdog, but there weren’t a ton of reasons to believe Pittsburgh would prevail.
After all, the Steelers were winless on the season -- heck, they hadn’t even forced a turnover -- and the Jets were coming off a big win over the Falcons and were 3-2. The game was in New Jersey, and after Pittsburgh announced that previously starting left tackle Mike Adams was a healthy inactive, it lost its current left tackle Levi Brown to a triceps injury in pregame warmups.
But in this unpredictability known as the NFL, the Steelers handily dominated the Jets en route to the 19-6 win and their first triumph of the season. And we got some pretty cool stat numbers out of the game.
Including (but not limited to):
• It took the Steelers 278 minutes into the season before they finally recorded their first takeaway. The victim was Jets quarterback Geno Smith, who was intercepted by Ryan Clark midway through the third quarter. Pittsburgh intercepted Smith again later in the game, meaning the team is undefeated this season when it forces at least two turnovers (or just one turnover) from its opponent.
• The Steelers are now 600-550-21 all-time. They’re the fourth team in NFL history and the first in the AFC to surpass the 600-win mark.
• Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is now 16-2 against rookie quarterbacks since 2004.
• In his past three games, Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Brown has 30 catches. That ties Hines Ward for the best three-game stretch in club history (via Steelers PR).
By the numbers
3: The number of consecutive games that Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has thrown three touchdowns, the first NFC West quarterback to do it since Kurt Warner with the Cardinals in 2007 (via ESPN Stats Info).
5: The number of games a Texans QB has thrown a pick-6. The previous four weeks it had been Matt Schaub, but on Sunday, backup T.J. Yates got into the act, tossing an interception that was returned 98 yards by Alec Ogletree. FYI, that’s tied for the longest interception return by a linebacker in league history.
7: The number of away teams, out of eight games, that won on the road in the 1 p.m. block (via CBS Sports’ Andrew DeWitt).
9: The number of combined tackles made this year by Bengals linebacker James Harrison, who had his most-productive game of the season Sunday. In addition to his three tackles, he stuffed Bills quarterback Thad Lewis on a fourth-and-goal from the 1 to force the turnover on downs.
10: The number of times the Chiefs sacked Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor. It’s the most an Oakland quarterback has hit the turf since Jeff George in 1998 (via ESPN Stats Info).
13: The number of games the Ravens had won at home against an NFC opponent. That streak ended Sunday with the loss to the Packers (via Gil Brandt).
20: The number of consecutive games in which the Bengals have not allowed an opposing quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards. The last signal-caller to accomplish that feat was Brandon Weeden in Week 2 of last year.
31: The number of sacks recorded by the Chiefs so far this season (via Brian McIntyre). They had a total of 27 in 2012.
38: The number of years since a player recorded at least 100 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in each of his first six games of the season. Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is the first to do it since O.J. Simpson in 1975 (via ESPN Stats Info). For the record, Simpson didn’t score a touchdown in Week 7 but then accomplished the same feat in the next two games after that.
47: The number of yards gained by Thad Lewis’ first pass as a Bills quarterback after he hit receiver T.J. Graham. Not bad, especially considering it was the longest pass of the season for the Bills. Remember, a week ago, Lewis was on Buffalo’s taxi squad.
137.5: The number of decibels measured in Kansas City during the Chiefs win against the Raiders. That broke the Guinness book of world records for loudest crowd in an outdoor stadium set a couple weeks ago in Seattle. Which, almost pathetically, was only a 136.7 (via the Chiefs).
308: The number of pounds weighed by 49ers offensive guard Daniel Kilgore, who lined up out wide as a receiver at least once Sunday. Unfortunately, Colin Kaepernick did not throw him the ball.
342: The number of career touchdowns thrown by Tom Brady, after his throw to Kenbrell Thompkins was caught in the end zone with 5 seconds to play vs. the Saints. Brady tied Fran Tarkenton for the fourth-highest total in NFL history (via NFL history).
1934: The last time two NFL teams from the same division started a season 6-0. That streak has been broken this year by the Chiefs and Broncos in the AFC West, becoming the first pair of teams to accomplish this since the Lions and Bears each started 10-0 in the NFL’s Western Division. Chicago ended up winning the NFL title.
1971: The last time a Packers rookie rushed for at least 99 yards in consecutive games. Eddie Lacy accomplished that feat Sunday and in Week 5, and the one to do it before him was John Brockington (via NFL communcations).
