Marcus Allen's costly unsportsmanlike conduct part of highly penalized Steelers performance

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When the third quarter ended Sunday in the Steelers’ 24-16 win at Carolina, the Panthers were facing a fourth-and-27 and preparing to punt near midfield following sacks by Alex Highsmith and Cameron Heyward.

When play resumed, the Panthers had a new set of downs at the 24 and unexpected momentum despite trailing by 14 points.

During the break, special teams player Marcus Allen was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Allen ventured into the Panthers huddle after jawing with one of their players.

The penalty was costly. Given a new set of downs, the Panthers moved into position to get a field goal that trimmed their deficit to 21-10. The Panthers eventually pulled within eight points but could get no closer.

“We get off the field, we have to go back on the field,” Heyward said. “But I like the way our defense just kept firing. We almost held them to no points. I just liked the way we competed.”

Tomlin struggled to make sense of what happened with Allen, whose only value to the Steelers is on special teams.

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“I don’t know,” he said. “It was in the dead period. We were making adjustments on the sideline. I didn’t have eyes on it. I don’t know if any of us had eyes on it.”

It was one of three personal fouls called against the Steelers, who were penalized seven times for 81 yards. Two took place on special teams.

“We could have played a lot smarter in some instances,” Tomlin said. “Penalties are not how we choose to live, particularly of the 15-yard variety.”

Riding High(smith)

In his return to Charlotte, where he spent his collegiate career, Highsmith had one of the Steelers’ four sacks. He also had a tackle for loss and forced a fumble that nearly resulted in a turnover deep in Steelers territory.

It was Highsmith’s fifth forced fumble of the season, tops in the NFL. The sack was his 11th, which is tied for fourth among the league leaders.

“It’s pretty cool,” Highsmith said. “I’m so grateful. It’s cool coming back here. I love this city. A lot of people know I was a diehard Panthers fan coming back here.”

Big boys

The Panthers continued to use a jumbo offensive line package to run the football, a strength of the team even after the Christian McCaffrey trade. The Steelers followed suit.

“They were using big people, so we were using big people,” Tomlin said.

The Steelers held their own as evidenced by the Panthers gaining just 21 yards on 16 rushing attempts. The defense deployed three- and four-man fronts for much of the game, with rookie defensive end DeMarvin Leal serving as an extra down lineman.

Although Leal didn’t get on the stat sheet, others picked up their play. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi had five tackles, and inside linebacker Robert Spillane, starting in place of an injured Myles Jack, had a team-high seven.

“We threw some schematics, some personnel groups at it,” Tomlin said. “They put a unique, big-people package on the field. You have to match that. I thought we did.”