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A19
SPORTS Saturday 10 November 2018
Roethlisberger throws for 5 TDs, Steelers rip Panthers 52-21

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben
Roethlisberger's first pass
went for a touchdown.
His last did the same. And
in between the Pittsburgh
Steelers quarterback and
his red-hot team put to-
gether systematic 52-21
dismantling of Carolina on
Thursday night that left little
doubt about their depth
and their talent regardless
of whether Le'Veon Bell
ever shows up for work or
not.
Ten different Steelers
touched the ball on of-
fense. Six of them scored.
None of them were named
Bell. While the three-time
Pro Bowl running back
tweeted his thoughts from
home while waiting —
and waiting — to sign his
one-year franchise tender,
Pittsburgh ripped off its fifth
straight victory with stun-
ning ease.
"Really big performance
against a really good team
on a short week so there is
a lot to be proud of," Steel-
ers head coach Mike Tom- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is hit by Carolina Panthers strong safety Eric Reid (25) as he slides at the end
lin said. "But we are prob- of a run during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Reid was ejected.
ably not that good." Associated Press
Maybe not, but Pittsburgh
(6-2-1) looked every bit the wants to play this season. let him get comfortable. over. Pittsburgh's 52 points gized before being escort-
part of legitimate contend- His teammates have long McCaffrey finished with matched the most ever sur- ed to the locker room.
er in the AFC, perhaps for since tired of talking about 138 yards total offense (77 rendered by the Panthers "I understand the NFL is try-
the first time this season. Bell's status and at this point. yards rushing, 61 yards re- in franchise history. Caro- ing to protect quarterbacks
Roethlisberger completed "I'm not going to comment ceiving) and accounted lina allowed the same total but when they're running
22 of 25 passes for 328 yards on someone who's not in for all three Panther touch- in a 52-9 loss to Oakland on the ball they're running
and five touchdowns while the locker room right now," downs but it wasn't nearly Dec. 24, 2000. backs," Reid said. "I'm not
posting a perfect quarter- Roethlisberger said. enough. "They did some good things thinking that 'It's Ben, don't
back rating of 158.3. James And why bother? For three "We had a lot of our noses against us," Panthers head tackle him.' There's a guy
Conner, who has filled in hours on Thursday night bleeding early on," Newton coach Ron Rivera said. "We running with the ball so I'm
capably during Bell's self- Pittsburgh looked every bit said. "We've got to stop it made too many mistakes doing my job."
imposed sabbatical, ran as potent without Bell as it and keep things going in early on to give ourselves PAYING TRIBUTE
for 65 yards and a score did with him. If he returns, our favor. We just got out- an opportunity to win a Roethlisberger and Newton
before being evaluated for they insist they'll welcome played today." football game." both wore cleats during
a concussion late. him with open arms. If he Newton didn't help mat- REID TARGETS ROETHLIS- the pregame that paid trib-
Antonio Brown added eight doesn't, they are intent on ters when he threw off his BERGER ute to the 11 members of
receptions for 96 yards — keeping the train rolling. back foot out of the Caro- Carolina safety Eric Reid the Tree of Life synagogue
including a 53-yard touch- The Panthers (6-3) saw their lina end zone while trying was ejected in the third that were killed in a mass
down in the second quar- three-game winning streak to avoid getting sacked in quarter after being called shooting last month. Roeth-
ter — to cap an eventful come to an abrupt halt in the first quarter. Pittsburgh for targeting when he dived lisberger's cleats featured
day that began with the a city where they've never linebacker Vince Williams at Roethlisberger's head as the names of all 11 victims
star wide receiver being won. Carolina fell to 0-4 all- raced under the floater the Pittsburgh quarterback while Newton's cleats read
cited for reckless driving af- time in Pittsburgh and was and returned it 17 yards for was sliding at the end of an "Hatred Can't Weaken a
ter police clocked Brown's never really in it after the a touchdown to give the 18-yard scramble. City of Steel."
Porsche driving over 100 Steelers scored 21 points in Steelers a 14-7 lead they Several Steelers, most of UP NEXT
mph down a busy highway the game's first 11 minutes. never came close to relin- them offensive linemen, Panthers: Travel to Detroit
in the northern city suburbs. Cam Newton completed quishing. took exception with the hit on Nov. 18 to take on the
"This is what we expect- 23 of 29 for 193 yards and a Roethlisberger's rainbow to and a brief scrum ensued. Lions. Carolina is 6-2 all-time
ed," Roethlisberger said. pair of flips to Christian Mc- Brown put Pittsburgh up 31- Pittsburgh center Maurkice against Detroit.
"We knew we were going Caffrey that the second- 14 at the half and when Ro- Pouncey said Roethlisberg- Steelers: Visit Jacksonville
to have to put up a lot of year running back turned ethlisberger found Vance er offered to pay any fines on Nov. 18. The Jaguars
points. We did that. The de- into scores, but Newton's McDonald in the back on the linemen may accrue beat Pittsburgh twice on
fense, they were playing showdown with Roethlis- the end zone on the Steel- for sticking up for him. the road last season, in-
like their hair was on fire." berger never materialized. ers' first drive of the second Reed, signed by Carolina in cluding a 45-42 upset in
Bell has until next Tuesday The Steelers sacked New- half, the competitive por- September, walked over to the divisional round of the
to sign a contract if he ton five times and rarely tion of the evening was Roethlisberger and apolo- playoffs.q