Steelers Survive, Ben Looks Rookie-ish

It went as expected for a while. The Steelers were running and playing defense and seemed to be in control. The 2nd quarter was not a good one for Pittsburgh as the Jets scored a field goal and then got a big punt return for a TD to tie the game. The Steelers seemed a little flustered by that and it took a while to get it back.

Ben Roethlisberger played a decent game, but he made two huge mistakes. One was returned for a TD and the other nearly resulted in the game-winning FG for the Jets. He looked like a rookie for one of the few times this year.

One thing was obvious all day, the Steelers dominated with their defense and running game. The Jets' offense did not score a TD. Pittsburgh had more rushing yards, more passing yards, 7 more minutes' time of possession, and converted more than 50% of their 3rd-down conversions. They also were -2 in takeaways and were dominated in special teams, and because of that, they found themselves tied 17-17 late in the 4th. Bettis' fumble was at the Jets' 24 yard line.

The Jets were outplayed most of the game, but found themselves in position to win at the end. And now we all have to ask, how do you miss two field goals at the end of the game? This is a reliable kicker, what happened? The first one you understand, but the second almost seemed like voodoo!

But is was more like Karma. The Jets advanced to this game because Nate Kaeding missed a make-able FG the week before. But the Chargers should not have been tied, the game should have ended in regulation, but Eric Barton did something stupid and the Chargers were given new life. The Jets outplayed San Diego and deserved to win, and in the end they did.

Likewise, the Steelers outplayed the Jets and deserved to win. Sorry New York, but if you can't score an offensive TD, you don't deserve to win. And if you can't hit a game-winning FG (with 2 damn chances!) at the end of regulation, you don't deserve to win. Pittsburgh dominated this game and is the best team in the league. If they are playing well, nobody can beat. And now we know that even if they make mistakes, it is difficult to beat them. And we know one other thing, the football gods favor the team that has played the best! At least in the playoffs.

Call it luck, voodoo, karma, fate, or whatever, the Steelers dominated this game except for 3 plays; a punt return for a TD, an interception for a TD, and a Bettis fumble in the red-zone. Change those 3 plays and the Steelers win 27-3, or even bigger. The game should not have come down to those kicks or gone to OT, and Bill Cowher knows it. He won't let that happen again.