NFL champion Pittsburgh Steelers know how to finish

The sixth seed in the American football conference would have to do what no other team had ever done before them. Win three straight road games, and defeat the top three seeded teams, just to have a chance at a neutral site game against the NFC’s best. The Steelers with an iron will, and unflappable confidence, did just that. Winning games in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Denver, and Detroit. It may have been a sloppy superbowl but the Steelers did one thing that the Seahawks didn’t, they finished the game. There were many bad calls by the officiating crew, and many sloppy plays by the teams, but Pittsburgh keep chugging along and Seattle kept slipping. It was probably the worst game that the Steelers had played in the playoffs but their confidence and spirit rang true, as they just kept coming and coming.
The Seahawks moved the football very effectively in the first quarter but just kept making crucial mistakes on third downs. Their two first quarter possessions ended after third down holding penalties set up a couple third and forever, and nullified field goal chances. Their third drive culminated in a 47-yard Josh Brown field goal, after the most controversial play of the game. On first down from the Pittsburgh 16 yard line Matt Hasselbeck threw an apparent touchdown pass to Darrell Jackson, which was called back on offensive pass interference. There was some hand fighting back and forth, but Jackson clearly pushes off to get free for the catch. I actually think was a good call, simply because referees would certainly have called it the other way. Had Steeler cornerback, Ike Taylor, pushed the wide receiver in order to make a clean interception you can be sure the Seahawks would have been awarded a first and goal at the one. It wasn’t until the 8:15 mark of the second quarter that Pittsburgh finally mounted a drive. On the most spectacular play of the game Ben Roethlisberger made a tremendous effort on a third and twenty-eight. From the shotgun Roethelisberger was rushed from the pocket and out to his left, where he has the presence to toe the line of scrimmage carefully not stepping over it. “Big” Ben hurls the ball downfield and Hines Ward fights, and gets the catch at the Seattle three. It doesn’t look like a good throw at first glance, but if you think about the situation it really is. It’s 3rd and 28 if Pitt can’t convert they will punt, why not let Ward fight for ball? If the pass gets intercepted at the three it’s better than most punts anyway. Three plays later Roethlisberger scores on a QB keeper, and they second controversial play of the game. They reviewed the play to see if the ball crossed the plain, but it really couldn’t be seen with any clarity. I think the ball does nick the outside of the goal line, while Ben is in mid air, just before his arm is driven back by defenders. With 1:46 left in the half Seattle had another opportunity to get points, but they managed the clock poorly. Matt Hasslebeck, who was good all night, had been executing a crisp effective passing game in the half, yet Seattle ran the ball from the Pittsburgh 40 with 48 seconds left. The run only netted 4-yards and ran the clock down to 13 seconds. The running play is particularly curious given that Darrell Jackson missed catching a touchdown pass on the previous play, by a hair. Seattle missed a 54-yard field goal to all but end the half. Josh Brown had a rough game; he is usually one of the best long-range kickers in football. I really think Seattle lost this superbowl on their final drive of the first half, knowing what great adjustments Bill Cowher and his staff make, they must have known Jackson would be better covered in the second half. Jackson did not catch a pass in the second half, after having caught five balls for fifty yards in the first. The Steelers broke the game open on their first possession of the second half springing Willie Parker for a superbowl record 75-yard touchdown run. Steelers guard Alan Faneca, as he always does, threw a very nice block to help spring Parker. The Steelers took a 14 to 3 lead, and Seattle’s Josh Brown missed a 50-yard field goal on the ensuing possession. When Pittsburgh got the ball back they drove methodically down field to the Seahawks 7-yard line, thank to Hines Ward and Jerome Bettis. Just when it seemed Pitt was going to put the nail in the coffin, Roethlisberger threw a horrible pass intended for Cedric Wilson. The lazy throw on 3rd and 6 from the 7, was picked off by Kelly Herndon and returned to the Steeler 20 for 76 yards. This was also a superbowl record for longest return of an interception, and it would have been a touchdown if not for an outstanding effort by Atwaan Randle El who made the tackle. Three plays later Matt Hasselbeck found a wide-open Jeremy Stevens for a 16-yard touchdown. The score cut the Pittsburgh’s lead to 14-10. Although Stevens made this catch he was really the goat, he dropped many passes in this game. The next three possessions were punts, finally Seattle mounted a bit of drive in the forth quarter but it ended when Hasselbeck tossed a terrible pick to Steelers Ike Taylor at the Pitt 5. On the ensuing drive the Steelers sealed the deal with one of their so-called “gadget” plays. On first and ten from the Seattle 43 Roethlisberger pitched the ball to Willie Parker who gave it Randle El on an apparent reverse, when Randle El threw a beautiful pass to Hines Ward for a 43-yard touchdown. The reverse pass was executed magnificently, and WR Randle El probably threw the best pass of the game! Leading 21-10 the Steelers were in cruise control. Pittsburgh is murder with a lead, and they showed their ability to finish yet again. The Seahawks next drive ended with a conspicuous punt with 6:28 left in the game. It was 4th and long, Hasselbeck had just taken a sack, but down by two scores and at their own 48, I really didn’t think they could afford to punt.
On the Steelers next drive they picked up two first downs, one a great bootleg on 3rd and 3 by “Big Ben”, and ground the clock down to the 2:00 minute warning. The Seahawks turned the ball over on down on their final possession, and the Steelers had won their fifth franchise superbowl.

This was really a pretty good game, although there weren’t a lot of overly dramatic performance, and “Bus” didn’t score, it was a triumph for a team that was a six seed, and a grave disappointment for a one seed. I really don’t think Mike Holmgren can win without a decisive edge in talent, we often see Seattle go down in flames in big games. It was pretty clear to me that Cowher made big adjustments at the half, and Holmgren didn’t. Hines Ward was the games MVP, and it was well deserved, Ward did in the superbowl what he has always done for Pittsburgh. He makes big plays, he gets up field getting every inch he can, and he wins fights for footballs. Other than Ward the Steelers did what has made them special, they won as a team.

Stats: Hasselbeck was 26 of 49 for 273 yards. One touchdown and one interception.
Ben Roethlisberger was 9 of 21 for 123 no touchdowns and two interceptions.
Shaun Alexander ran 20 times for 90 yards.
Willie Parker ran 10 times for 93 yards and a score
Joe Jurevicius caught five passes for 93 yards
Hines Ward caught five for 123 yards