Steelers-Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders runs after catching a pass from as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin makes the tackle on Sunday. (AP photo / October 7, 2012)

7:49 p.m. EDT, October 7, 2012

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Backed up deep in their own territory, their slow start to the season in danger of turning into a legitimate freefall, the Pittsburgh Steelers did what they always seem to do when things get tight.

 

They relaxed.

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Ben Roethlisberger converted a pair of critical third downs during a remarkably patient 64-yard drive over the final 6:33 and Shaun Suisham drilled a 34-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Steelers to a 16-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the rain on Sunday.

 

“We had the ball last,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. “Such is life.”

 

It’s a way of life the Eagles had grown comfortable with during the season’s opening month. Philadelphia (3-2) appeared on the verge of its third one-point win of the season when Michael Vick hit Brent Celek for a 2-yard score midway through the fourth quarter.

 

The Steelers (2-2) started at their own 20 then promptly went backwards thanks to a holding penalty.

 

No biggie.

 

Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown for 20 yards on third-and-12. A 15-yard screen pass to running back Rashard Mendenhall — making his return from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee — moved Pittsburgh into Eagles territory.

 

Two plays later Roethlisberger found Emmanuel Sanders for an eight-yard gain and five straight runs put the Steelers well within Suisham’s range. The kick was good all the way, and the Steelers avoided their first 1-3 start under Tomlin.

 

“I always have confidence in myself and the guys that we can do it,” said Roethlisberger after engineering his 25th career fourth-quarter comeback. “It’s good to go down. That was everybody on that drive.”