The Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals squared off in Week 13, and these two teams couldn’t come into this game with more different aspirations. The Cardinals entered with two wins, wondering if they would drafting a quarterback next season, and the Steelers came into Sunday’s game with seven wins and hoping for a playoff berth in the AFC.

Nonetheless, in the NFL you never know what can happy on any given Sunday, and the Steelers opened the game with the football after the Cardinals won the opening coin toss and elected to defer their possession to the second half.

The Kenny Pickett to George Pickens connection was strong on the opening drive, connecting on two big plays which moved the ball quickly into the red-zone. But just like the offense did in Week 12 vs. the Bengals, when the field shortened, the team struggled. Needless to say, it was a Chris Boswell field goal to make the score 3-0 with 12:01 remaining in the opening frame.

Both teams exchanged three-and-outs on their next drives, and when Arizona got the ball back it looked as though the Steelers defense continued to baffle Kyler Murray and the Arizona offense. However, on a 3rd down incompletion Elandon Roberts was flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty for hitting a defenseless receiver. It extended the drive, and resulted in a 51-yard field goal by Matt Prater to make the score 3-3 with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter.

Following offensive failures by both teams, the Steelers started a possession at their own 20-yard line and imposed their will on the Arizona defense. They did so, moving the ball down into the red-zone for the second time the half. A 3rd down scramble by Kenny Pickett got the offense into a 4th and 1 situation, but he injured his ankle on the same play. With Mitch Trubisky in, the Steelers elected to go for it, but the shotgun run to Najee Harris was stopped short, keeping the score 3-3.

Starting from the one-yard line, Arizona put together their best drive of the game, marching the ball into field goal range with key third down completions on more than one occasion. Inside the two-minute warning, the Cardinals were easily in Prater’s field goal range, but where thinking touchdown. More 3rd down conversions resulted in a touchdown pass from Murray to Trey McBride, making the score 10-3 at halftime.

The second half was delayed due to inclement weather in the area, but when the players were permitted on the field it was the Cardinals receiving the football to start the half. Arizona’s opening second half possession was a three-and-out, but with Kenny Pickett out of the game it mean Mitch Trubisky entered as the starter. Following a third down conversion, Trubisky and Mason Cole couldn’t connect on the next 3rd down snap, and it was recovered by Arizona.

Starting in the red-zone, the Cardinals wasted little time turning the turnover into a touchdown, via a James Conner rush. The extra point made the score 17-3 with 7:18 left in the 3rd quarter.

Following another lengthy weather delay, the Steelers moved the ball into field goal territory and looked like at worst they’d add three points to their total. Unfortunately, even Boswell was off and missed the 45-yard kick, keeping the score 17-3.

The Cardinals gave the ball back to Pittsburgh via punt, but the Steelers drive lasted only three plays. With great field position, the Cardinals moved it quickly and James Conner scored his second touchdown to make the score 24-3 with 8:28 left in regulation.

Pittsburgh was forced to move into their no-huddle/hurry-up offense to try and play catch up, and they were able to actually put up a touchdown for the first time in the game. Trubisky hit Diontae Johnson in the corner of the end-zone to make the score 24-10 after Boswell’s extra point. However, with only 4:25 remaining it signaled too little, too late.

The Cardinals ran out the remaining time on the clock, making the 24-10 score final. The loss plummets the Steelers record to 7-5 as they prepare for the New England Patriots in Week 14. Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest on the Steelers as they prepare for Thursday Night Football.