Packers vs. Steelers: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2015 Preseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers' starters spent a quarter and a half on the field struggling to overtake the Green Bay Packers. Luckily, their third-stringers were more than ready to get the job done.

Landry Jones threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, including a game-winner to Shakim Phillips, as the Steelers earned a come-from-behind 24-19 win Sunday at Heinz Field.

Down 19-9 after a 55-yard Mason Crosby field goal in the fourth quarter, the Steelers scored the final 15 points of the game. Jones led Pittsburgh to three separate scoring drives, starting with a third-quarter field goal before tossing game-winners that gave the team its first win of the preseason.

The Oklahoma product finished with 172 yards and two touchdowns against one interception, completing 10 of his 19 passes. Tyler Murphy led all pass-catchers with 61 yards on four receptions, including a 22-yard score early in the fourth. Sammie Coates was at the receiving end of the game's longest play—a 54-yard pitch-and-catch with Jones—before finishing with 60 yards on two grabs.

"I just need to keep getting better," Jones told Dan Scifo of the Associated Press earlier this week. "I've been doing some good things in practice, and did some decent things in the game. I need to keep plugging away, trying to get better every day."

Even the Pittsburgh Pirates offered Jones a congratulations:

Getting their most extensive action of the preseason, the Steelers' starters also had some success. Ben Roethlisberger completed 11 of 14 passes for 100 yards, connecting with Markus Wheaton on a five-yard score in the second quarter. Le'Veon Bell had a little more trouble in the running game, gaining 16 yards on his six carries. The Steelers overall managed 42 yards on 26 carries.

On the Packers' side, it was more of a mixed bag. 

Scott Tolzien threw for 102 yards and a touchdown, Eddie Lacy scampered in on the ground and the first-team defense had its moments. 

Tolzien, who did not throw a pass during the 2014 regular season, completed 11 of his 19 passes while playing most of the second and third quarters. The Wisconsin product hit Richard Rodgers for a 21-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, putting the Packers ahead 16-9 and giving them a lead they wouldn't relinquish until late in the fourth quarter.

While the rest of the Packers running game had little success, Lacy had 30 yards and a touchdown on his six carries. 

Don Wright/Associated Press

"I'm definitely a lot more comfortable and more natural," Lacy said, per the Packers' official website (h/tMark Inabinett via AL.com), "when it comes to running the ball and knowing where my guys are going to be, knowing when they're going to double team, who they're coming off and when they're coming off. For pass protection, I'm keyed in with that as well, and I'm not overthinking or worried about it. So I'm definitely a lot more calmer in my third year."

The Packers will need Lacy because their best receiving option may have gone down with a season-ending injury. Wideout Jordy Nelson is believed to have torn his ACL on an eight-yard catch in the first quarter, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Chris Wesseling of NFL Network noted how much success the Packers offense has when Nelson is involved: 

Understandably, Green Bay was a bit more conservative with its starters after that injury. Aaron Rodgers played only two drives, completing four of five passes for 57 yards before leaving after being sacked for a safety. Randall Cobb made one reception for 30 yards on his only target. 

To lose such an integral part of the offense in an otherwise meaningless game is a frustrating blow felt far too often in the preseason. Packers coach Mike McCarthy may want to consider keeping the offensive reps to a minimum over the next two weeks to avoid another injury—especially given the comfort level in the offense.

Either way, a season-long injury for Nelson adds insult to Green Bay's first preseason loss of 2015.