Martavis Bryant, Landry Jones spark Steelers win

I think the Steelers are happy to have Martavis Bryant back.

Active for the first time since serving his four-game suspension to start the year (he was inactive his first week back), the second-year pro scored two crucial touchdowns for Pittsburgh to help the Steelers upset the Cardinals at home. His second touchdown -- which came with 2:15 remaining and the Steelers leading 18-13 -- sealed the deal as he took a slant pass from Landry Jones and weaved back and forth through traffic for 88 yards and the score. Bryant caught six passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns on the day.

Bryant's big game is the next in a series of big-time performances from Steelers' playmakers that keep Pittsburgh afloat and winning despite the temporary loss of Ben Roethlisberger. Last week, it was Le'Veon Bell that was the hero, scoring on a gutsy wild-cat run as time ran out that gave the Steelers the win over the Chargers. In addition to Bryant, the Steelers also got a surprisingly effective performance from Landry Jones, who came in in relief of an injured Michael Vick to lead Pittsburgh on a couple of scoring drives in the fourth quarter. Jones finished a cool 8 of 12 for 168 yards and two touchdown passes.

With the win, Pittsburgh improves to 4-2 and still within striking distance to the 6-0 Bengals, and looking good for at least wild-card spot in the AFC playoff picture. Big Ben is due back sometime soon -- it's unclear how close he really is to being back -- but in his absence, the Steelers have not only survived, they've thrived.