Big Ben shreads Redskins defense, Steelers win 38-16

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and No. 1 overall fantasy draft pick Antonio Brown put on a show in the first Monday Night Football game of the season.

After an off-season filled with so much promise, the Redskins found the same frustration in their season opener that has plagued them in year’s past as they lost at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-16 their fourth straight season-opening loss.

But the talk after the game was not about Brown’s play but rather the wild touchdown celebration he did that instantly drew a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct.

It looked like Washington would have a chance to expand its lead late in the first period, when Roethlisberger was stripped of the football.

Redskins coach Jay Gruden and two members of his staff worked with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under Jon Gruden. “Any time you can get those balls back, it’s huge”. “And of course, business was boomin” for wide receiver Antonio Brown, who hauled in eight catches for 126 yards.

The Steelers’ most important number from Monday might be 143: DeAngelo Williams’ rushing total after a 26-carry, two-touchdown night. “We’ve got guys who can make plays”.

“We knew it was coming; I knew it was coming”, Breeland said. Pittsburgh gambled on fourth-and-1 from the Redskins’ 29-yard line, and Roethlisberger lofted a ideal pass to Brown, who got behind Breeland. Kirk Cousins completed 30 of 43 passes for 329 yards and two interceptions.

After the Redskins got a pair of early Dustin Hopkins field goals, the Steelers took their first lead in the second quarter on a pass to Brown. They countered Washington’s first touchdown with a 73-yard, run-heavy drive, and if the passing windows close because of Cincinnati’s defense this week, Williams could see 20-plus carries once again. Williams had everything working, including a back-breaking 15-yard touchdown run as he split two defenders like a point guard.

PRIME TIME READY: Tomlin improved to 11-2 on Monday night, including 6-2 on the road and 2-0 at Washington.

Fortunately, the additional room would allow Ben to find Sammie Coates for a 42 yard deep pass along the sideline, against CB Greg Toler. It looked like a continuation of Williams’ 2015 season, in which he tied for the National Football League lead with 11 rushing touchdowns and also put up 1,274 total yards from scrimmage.

It started in the first half, when Cousins missed his receivers or quickly threw the ball away, leading to two field goals, a punt and a failed fourth-down conversion.

SHAZIER, PLAYMAKER: The play after forcing a fumble that the Redskins recovered, Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier picked off Cousins to set up Brown’s 26-yard TD catch in the third quarter. I’ll spare you any more pleasantries and jump right into the game.

“You can’t say enough about DeAngelo Williams and his performance”, Tomlin said. He advanced his team to the Steelers’ 40-yard line on five of Washington’s first six possessions, but came away from those drives with just nine points.

RUNNING ON EMPTY: Jones was in the starting lineup after separating his left shoulder on August 19, but he lost 4 yards on his first two carries and finished with 24 yards on seven carries.

REED OPTION: Reed caught three passes for 39 yards on the Redskins’ opening drive and was a nonfactor with four catches for 25 yards the rest of the way.

Tomlin on why he called a pass to the end zone on fourth-and-1: “We play to win”. “It was a good, old-fashioned butt whooping”.