SEATTLE —The Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers each attempted two two-point conversions in Sunday’s game, and Pittsburgh made good on one of theirs while the Seahawks failed on both of theirs.
The Seahawks also had an extra point kick blocked for the second week in a row and therefore were only 3-for-6 on conversions.
In the last two games Seattle is 5-for-10 on conversion attempts after touchdowns.
Smith’s first catch
Seattle wide receiver Kevin Smith had his first career reception in the second quarter, a 21-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson that set up Seattle’s second touchdown. Smith is a first-year player out of the University of Washington who was not drafted coming out of college.
“It was awesome,” Smith said of his first career catch, which put the ball at the Pittsburgh 12-yard line. “When the ball came my way my eyes got big. Russ told me to be ready before the play even happened, so I made sure I was ready. The ball came, and I caught it.”
Big Ben clocked
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was not on the field for the Steelers’ final offensive possession, which started with 1:57 left in the game and Seattle leading 39-30. He left the field moments earlier for examination of a possible concussion.
There was no clear indication when he was injured.
“We were going to do what’s appropriate and take care of our guys,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said.
More injuries
Seahawks cornerback Marcus Burley left the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury. In addition to Burley, during the game the Seahawks lost fullback Will Tukuafu and defensive end Demarcus Dobbs to possible concussions and defensive tackle Jordan Hill to a toe injury.
The Steelers suffered a significant loss when tight end Heath Miller left the game in the second quarter with a rib injury. Before the injury, Miller had five receptions for 45 yards.
Third downs and red zones
The Seahawks continued to reverse some disturbing trends that crippled them in the first half of the season as they were lights out on third down and in the red zone.
Seattle was seven-for-13 on third down conversions, good for 54 percent, and the scored touchdowns on all four possessions inside the Pittsburgh 20-yard line.
On their second touchdown drive, the Seahawks converted on two third-and-10 situations and also on a third-and-15.
Streak breakers
For the first time in Pete Carroll’s six years as Seattle head coach, the Seahawks won a regular-season game in which the opponent scored more than 27 points. Seattle beat New Orleans 41-36 in a playoff game in 2011 that is best remembered for Marshawn Lynch’s “Beast Quake” 67-yard touchdown run.
The victory also was the first for Wilson in a game in which the opponent scored more than 25 points.
Traveling well
Steelers fans were well represented as black and yellow attire was seen throughout the stadium and thousands of Pittsburgh fans waved yellow Terrible Towels to support their team. Every Steelers success was greeted with some of the loudest cheers ever heard by many observers at CenturyLink for a visiting team.
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