For three quarters, Michael Vick looked out of sorts. But with the Steelers trailing the Chargers 17-10 with 8 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the former first-overall pick flashed some of the form that made him one of the league's most exciting players a decade ago. Vick took the snap, rolled right, waited for wide receiver Markus Wheaton to juke cornerback Brandon Flowers out of his shoes, and calmly hit him in stride for a 72-yard game-tying touchdown.
In case you forgot @MikeVick has a rocket launcher for a left arm.. 1 flick. 72 yards. 6 points. #MNF #PITvsSD http://t.co/VOe9TDgJLQ
— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2015
After the game, Vick explained that Ben Roethlisberger, who is sidelined with a knee injury but has happily taken on the unofficial title of quarterbacks coach, was responsible for the play.
"The touchdown pass was all Ben," Vick told NFL Network's Alex Flanagan after the game. "He put the play together on the sideline and that's it. Based on what he's seeing -- I was struggling -- Ben put the play together, we executed, and now I see why he's a great one."
Roethlisberger obviously consulted his wristband phone for advice. Back on Earth, Vick added: "Without Ben, this probably wouldn't have been possible. He's like a coach on the sideline."
Cradle of Coaches just birthed a brand new baby boy! https://t.co/FUyDnA8Kdx
— Eric Kay (@ekaycbs) October 13, 2015
During his weekly Tuesday press conference, coach Mike Tomlin was asked about Roethlisberger's role in the touchdown pass.
"We ran that play two or three times this week so I don't know what you mean by 'drawing up,'" Tomlin said in response to a question about whether the play was an impromptu decision based on a sideline meeting. "There was a discussion regarding the play and Ben was a part of that discussion. But we didn't draw it up in the dirt, if that's what you're asking."
Either way, the play jump-started the Steelers' offense, which looked stagnant for the first 52 minutes of the game.
