- 22,885
- 2,317
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2000
GAME 1 (9/29):
It was over when ...
Steelers kicker Jeff Reed barely squeaked his 46-yard field goal inside the left uprightin overtime to give Pittsburgh a 23-20 victory over rival Baltimore.
Game ball
A year after having perhaps the best game of his career in a Monday night win over the Ravens, Steelers LB James Harrison followed up with another outstandingperformance. He recorded 10 tackles, 2½ sacks and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown by LaMarr Woodley late in the third quarter.
Key stat
Three -- the number of running backs who were knocked out of this game. The Ravens lost starter Willis McGahee and the Steelers lost Rashard Mendenhall to a left shoulder fracture and later lost backup Carey Davis. LeRon McClain played well in relief of McGahee, but was outdone by his Pittsburghcounterpart Mewelde Moore in overtime.
Noteworthy
An already beleaguered Steelers offensive line lost starting guard Kendall Simmonsto an Achilles injury in the first half. He was replaced by Darnell Stapleton.... Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that both Mendenhall and Simmons will be placed on injured reserve. ... Pittsburgh LB Andre Frazier was carted off the field after getting injured on the opening kickoff. ...Joe Flacco threw his first career touchdown pass to Daniel Wilcox in the second quarter.
GAME 2 (12/14):
It was over when ...
Ben Roethlisberger scrambled on third-and-goal andfound Santonio Holmes in the end zone, barely, to put the Steelersup 13-9 with less than a minute left in the game. JoeFlacco was intercepted in the end zone on the Ravens' ensuing drive to give the Steelers the AFC North title.
Game ball
In this defensive battle, QB Ben Roethlisberger made the difference for the Steelers. He went 7-for-11 on the 12-play, 92-yard winning drive and finished 22-of-40 for 246 yards.
Key stat
The Steelers began four drives pinned inside their own 10-yard line. Two drives ended in punts, one in a fumble and the final drive resulted in the firsttouchdown of the game.
Noteworthy
Pittsburgh clinched the AFC North and a first-round bye in the playoffs. ... The Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 32 games. ... Pittsburgh has yetto allow an opponent gain 300 yards of total offense this season. ... Mike Tomlin became the sixth coach to win a division in his first two seasons as a headcoach.
A battle of the two best defensive teams in the league:
Total Defense:
[table][tr][td]1. Pittsburgh Steelers - 237.2[/td] [td][/td] [/tr][tr][td]2. Baltimore Ravens - 261.1[/td] [td][/td] [/tr][/table]
Pass Defense:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers - 156.9
2. Baltimore Ravens - 179.7
Run Defense:
2. Pittsburgh Steelers - 80.2
3. Baltimore Ravens - 81.4
Points Per Game:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers - 13.9
3. Baltimore Ravens - 15.2
Key players:
LeBeau and Tomlin:
For Baltimore:
