As it turned out, all Ben Roethlisberger needed was a little home cooking. One week after one of his more forgettable performances in a 34-3 loss in Philadelphia, Roethlisberger threw five touchdown passes in a victory over the Chiefs at Heinz Field.
Roethlisberger became the sixth quarterback in NFL history to throw five touchdown passes five times over the course of his career. Drew Brees (10), Peyton Manning (9), Dan Marino (6), George Blanda (5) and Tom Brady (5) also accomplished the feat.
Roethlisberger extended his streak to 40 consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass at Heinz Field.It was the third time in his career that Roethlisberger threw four touchdown passes in the first half of a game. He also achieved that feat against Indianapolis in 2014 and Baltimore in 2007.
Roethlisberger has thrown at least three touchdown passes in five consecutive home games and he became the second quarterback in franchise history to throw three touchdown passes in the first quarter of a game. Bubby Brister was the first to do it on Dec. 23, 1990, a 35-0 victory against Cleveland.
Antonio Brown caught two of those touchdown passes and moved into tie for fifth place with Buddy Dial for most touchdown receptions (42) in franchise history. It marked the second time Brown caught two touchdowns in the first quarter of a game. He also did it against the Lions in 2013.
The 22 points the Steelers scored in the first quarter set a team record for most points ever in a first quarter. The record had been 21, reached on five previous occasions.
The Steelers set the record because they went for two and converted after their first touchdown. It was the first time this season they eschewed the 33-yard extra point and went for two. The Steelers went for two points more than any other team last season, converting 8 of their 11 attempts.
Injury report
Right tackle Marcus Gilbert left the game with an ankle injury in the first half and did not return. Ryan Harris took his place on the line.
Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey exited the game with a shoulder injury and linebacker Anthony Chickillo with a knee injury in the second half.
Quick hits
Jarvis Jones’ second career interception set up the Steelers’ second touchdown. … Le’Veon Bell went over 100 yards from scrimmage for the 22nd time in his career in 36 career games. … Heyward had two sacks for his second multi-sack game of his career. … Heyward-Bey caught his 15th career touchdown and his third as a Steeler. … Jordan Dangerfield started an NFL game for the first time when he played in place of injured starter Robert Golden, recording three solo tackles and five total. … Justin Gilbert, acquired in a trade before the regular season began, played as cornerback for the first time. He had dressed and played special teams in the first three games.
Inactives
The Steelers deactivated inside linebacker Ryan Shazier, safety Golden, offensive linemen Ramon Foster and Cody Wallace, receiver Eli Rogers, cornerback Senquez Golson and fullback Roosevelt Nix.
The Chiefs deactivated quarterback Tyler Bray, receiver DeAnthony Thomas, cornerback Phillip Gaines, running back Charcandrick West, offensive linemen Jordan Devey and Jah Reid and linebacker Sam Barrington.
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: October 3, 2016, 4:07 a.m.
