Steelers vs. Rams score: Pittsburgh wins its fourth straight as Minkah Fitzpatrick causes two L.A. turnovers

On a day where the Steelers wore their throwback jerseys honoring the 1979 Steelers victory over Rams in Super Bowl XIV, it's fitting that Pittsburgh won a throwback, physical, defensive-oriented game over the Rams. 

With members of Pittsburgh's original Steel Curtain watching from the sideline, the Steelers' current defense dominated a Rams offense that was without staring center Brian Allen for the entire second half. Four forced turnovers -- two by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick -- were the difference in the Steelers' 17-12 victory.  Pittsburgh, after a 1-4 start, is now 5-4, over .500 for the first time this season. The Rams, after a 3-0 start, are 5-4 and in third place in the NFC West. 

Here's how the Steelers were able to pull off the upset while strengthening their case as AFC playoff contenders. 

Why the Steelers won

Pittsburgh's defense, a unit that entered the game with the second most forced turnovers in the NFL, continued to come up with turnovers on Sunday. Fitzpatrick, who leads the Steelers with five interceptions since joining Pittsburgh in Week 3, has four interceptions and two touchdowns in his last three games. Pittsburgh's defense was also able to put consistent pressure on quarterback Jared Goff, with T.J. Watt coming up with two of the Steelers' four sacks. The Steelers' defense was especially dominant on third down, holding Los Angeles to 1-for-14 on third downs. Pittsburgh's defense also came up with two critical stops on the Rams' final two possessions. After Terrell Edmunds deflected Goff's fourth down, end zone pass with under two minutes left, Fitzpatrick's pick off of a deflection by Joe Haden -- who recorded an interception to start the second half -- put the game on ice. 

While they failed to operate near the efficiency level of its defense, Pittsburgh's offense mounted two long scoring drives that included a 60-yard drive in the fourth quarter and leading by just two points. Mason Rudolph, who out-played Goff on this night, completed a risky fourth down pass to Trey Edmunds on the drive. The drive also included three incompletions for 40 yards to receiver James Washington, who caught a career-high six passes or 90 yards that included a three-yard touchdown catch that tied the scored in the first quarter. 

Why the Rams lost 

The Rams' offense, playing without center Brian Allen (who left the game with a knee injury) for most of the game, struggled to protect Goff, who was sacked four times while getting hit on numerous other occasions. The pressure contributed to Goff's three turnovers that included on Fitzpatrick's 43-yard fumble return in the second quarter that gave the Steelers the lead for good. While their inability to convert on third down was critical, the Rams' inability to get Todd Gurley (12 touches) more and receiver Cooper Kupp (zero receptions) involved at all also contributed to the loss. 

The Rams' inability to capitalize on the momentum gained from Aaron Donald and Clay Matthews sack/safety of Rudolph was a key turning point in the game. Instead of further cutting into Pittsburgh's 14-12 lead, the Rams went three-and-out following the safety. The Steelers then marched 60 yards on 14 plays while setting up Boswell's 33-yard kick that made the score 17-12 with 2:46 left. 

While they played winning football for most of the game, the Rams' defense -- which started the game with a 26-yard fumble return or a score by Dante Fowler -- allowed several critical plays to quarterback Mason Rudolph, who completed passes to seven different teammates. Los Angeles' 95 penalty yards was also a significant reason why the Rams lost their fourth game in six outings. 

Turning point

After doing nothing on their first three possessions, the Steelers' offense finally woke up on their final possession of the first quarter. A 30-yard completion to rookie wideout Diontae Johnson and a 13-yard completion to Washington set up Rudolph's game-tying touchdown pass to Washington, his former teammate at Oklahoma State. 

Play of the game

A week after returning an interception 96 yards for a score in Pittsburgh's Week 9 win over the Colts, Fitzpatrick's fumble return on Sunday gave the Steelers the lead for good. Defensive lineman Javon Hargrave's pressure of Goff forced the fumble. 

Fitzpatrick's presence on Sunday helped Pittsburgh limit the Rams to 16 first downs, eight punts and just 306 total yards. 

Quotable I

"Helluva pass deflection for INT and game period by the homie @joehaden23!! Keep going G!" -- NBA All-Star LeBron James, via social media, congratulating Haden for his third quarter interception. James and Haden became friends during their time with the Cavaliers and Browns, respectively. 

Quotable II

"It was cool, man. He talks a lot. He talks so much. He said so many cuss words that I never heard of and I am 22 years old." -- JuJu Smith-Schuster on Jalen Ramsey, via Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. While he finished with three receptions for 44 yards, Smith-Schuster caught a key pass on Pittsburgh's final scoring drive on Ramsey, who drew headlines after saying that Smith-Schuster was not Antonio Brown prior to the game. Ramsey also was called twice for pass interference that included a key DPI on Pittsburgh's first scoring drive. 

What's next

The Steelers, who are currently the sixth seed in the AFC, are facing the Browns in Cleveland on Thursday night. Pittsburgh has won eight straight games against Cleveland dating back to the 2015 season. The Rams will host the 4-5 Bears next Sunday night. 

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Great game from Pittsburgh. Defense ruled the day, as Steelers received a great effort by their defense in a 17-12 game. Thanks for following! Have a great rest of your Sunday.

November 11, 2019, 1:03 AM
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November 11, 2019, 1:02 AM
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November 11, 2019, 12:57 AM
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November 11, 2019, 12:57 AM
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November 11, 2019, 12:57 AM
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Goff's pass tipped and picked off by Minkah Fitzpatrick. Another interception. That's five on the year and four in his last three games.

November 11, 2019, 12:56 AM
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November 11, 2019, 12:56 AM
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Another flag. This has been a really sloppy game. False start on the Rams.

November 11, 2019, 12:55 AM
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Goff's pass is knocked away but flag on the play. It's DPI on Mike Hilton, who broke up that play. Yeah, there was holding, not a lot, but holding.

November 11, 2019, 12:55 AM
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Steelers pass rush continues to have an impact. Watt's first down sack helps make this a third and seven at their own 43 with 35 seconds left.

November 11, 2019, 12:54 AM
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November 11, 2019, 12:53 AM
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Rams are going to get another shot here, as the Steelers will likely run here and force the Rams to call their final timeout. Steelers flagged 11 times for 98 yards tonight.

November 11, 2019, 12:48 AM
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Goff goes to the end zone, pass is incomplete. Josh Reynolds unable to hang onto the ball as he was double teamed by Joe Haden and Terrell Edmunds. A great day for the Edmunds brothers.

November 11, 2019, 12:45 AM
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November 11, 2019, 12:44 AM
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Crowd in a frenzied pitch on fourth down. Steelers call a timeout, surprising that Pitt would call timeout there.

November 11, 2019, 12:44 AM
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Everett unable to old onto Goff's second down pass. Everett already has a career high eight catches. Big third down here. Rams 1-13 on third down today. It's deflected by Cam Heyward.

November 11, 2019, 12:43 AM
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November 11, 2019, 12:43 AM
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November 11, 2019, 12:42 AM
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Kick is good as Steelers take 17-12 lead. The 60-yard drive chewed up 8 minutes. James Washington was the key player on the drive, catching three passes or 40 yards. Edmunds' catch on fourth down was also big.

November 11, 2019, 12:36 AM
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November 11, 2019, 12:34 AM
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November 11, 2019, 12:33 AM
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Flag down as Boswell drills 28-yard kick. Boswell called for false start, which you almost never see.

November 11, 2019, 12:33 AM
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Really nice completion from Mason to JuJu on second down. Rudolph's pass was batted down on third down but but refs discussing whether or not it was a fumble. It looks like a fumble to me, but by the letter of the law, it should be an incompletion. The ball is going forward with control.

November 11, 2019, 12:32 AM
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Rudolph hits Washington again. He's now 100 receiving yards. Looked like the same play they ran on their fourth and one.

November 11, 2019, 12:29 AM
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Rudolph and Washington continue to connect. Rudolph hits him for a key first down on third down. Nice audible by Rudolph at the line of scrimmage. Washington has a career-high 81 receiving yards today.

November 11, 2019, 12:27 AM
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Mason rolls out, hits Trey Edmunds for a first down. Shocked that Rudolph threw it. I was thinking he held the ball too long but I guess not. What a game for Edmunds, who had a pick on special teams in the third quarter. Rudolph then completes pass to McDonald, who fumbles, but Steelers able to recover.

November 11, 2019, 12:26 AM
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Washington continues to be Mason's guy, which I suppose shouldn't be a big surprise. Washington's catch sets up a third and short, which the Steelers just miss. Steelers are going for it. Big moment in the game.

November 11, 2019, 12:24 AM
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