20
13This game was built up all week. FOX was broadcasting the game on their Latin American affiliate station. Two Mexican Senators were at the game. The game was dubbed "The Super Bowl for Latin American football fans" because of the high fanbase both teams have amongst Latin American viewers.
Enter James Farrior.
The defense gets the nod on the intro. The field was in good shape and the fans were electric.
The Steelers won the toss and deferred. The Artist Formerly Known as Pacman makes a few moves on the kick return before Ike brings him down.
After an incompletion and a short run, Romo is faced with a third and long. By the way, did I mention Romo came into the game leading the league in quarterback rating? On 3rd and 7, he overthrows TO, right into the waiting arms of Troy Polamalu, league leader in interceptions.
After a delay of game penalty, the Steelers offense looks as though they're going to stall out, but Ben hits Holmes down the sidelines for 23 yards. After that sign of life, the Steelers crap on themselves by doing nothing on 3 plays then missing a 45-yard field goal.
Choice managed 4 yards on first down, then Romo hooks up with Witten on 3rd down to keep the drive alive. Choice runs twice to get the ball across midfield, then Witten snags another to keep things rolling for Dallas. Choice got 2, then Romo hit Williams on a short out to set up a 3rd and 2. The Steelers were confused on defense and called a much-needed timeout before the next play. Romo empties the backfield and pitches to Owens, going in motion, but Farrior and Woodley team up for the stop. With 4th and 1 at the Steelers 33, the Cowboys go for it, but Defensive Player of the Year candidates Harrison and Polamalu are there to stop the fullback in his tracks for the turnover on downs.
The Steelers pick up 5 free yards on a defensive offsides, then Ben hits Moore on a quick hitter, and he turns it upfield for 12 yards. Moore catches another short one and turns it into an 11-yard gain and another first down, getting the ball inside the 40. Arians busts out the motif offense, which fails miserably, and the Lob Wedge punts.
With the ball 95-yards from the end zone, the Steelers defense is up to the field position game, and holds the Cowboys to a 3-and-out. Punt.
The Steelers get the ball within breathing distance of midfield. After an incompletion, Ben hits Heath over the middle, but Heath, who has one of the best set of hands on the team, gets hit from behind and fumbles. Dallas recovers on the 45, winning the field position turnaround and killing any momentum the Steelers might have had.
To make matters worse, Romo hit Choice on a short pass that he turned into a 12-yard gain to move into Steelers territory. Farrior stuffed Choice to end the longest first quarter of the year. It was brutal, especially in the cold.
The Steelers won the toss and deferred. The Artist Formerly Known as Pacman makes a few moves on the kick return before Ike brings him down.
After an incompletion and a short run, Romo is faced with a third and long. By the way, did I mention Romo came into the game leading the league in quarterback rating? On 3rd and 7, he overthrows TO, right into the waiting arms of Troy Polamalu, league leader in interceptions.
After a delay of game penalty, the Steelers offense looks as though they're going to stall out, but Ben hits Holmes down the sidelines for 23 yards. After that sign of life, the Steelers crap on themselves by doing nothing on 3 plays then missing a 45-yard field goal.
Choice managed 4 yards on first down, then Romo hooks up with Witten on 3rd down to keep the drive alive. Choice runs twice to get the ball across midfield, then Witten snags another to keep things rolling for Dallas. Choice got 2, then Romo hit Williams on a short out to set up a 3rd and 2. The Steelers were confused on defense and called a much-needed timeout before the next play. Romo empties the backfield and pitches to Owens, going in motion, but Farrior and Woodley team up for the stop. With 4th and 1 at the Steelers 33, the Cowboys go for it, but Defensive Player of the Year candidates Harrison and Polamalu are there to stop the fullback in his tracks for the turnover on downs.
The Steelers pick up 5 free yards on a defensive offsides, then Ben hits Moore on a quick hitter, and he turns it upfield for 12 yards. Moore catches another short one and turns it into an 11-yard gain and another first down, getting the ball inside the 40. Arians busts out the motif offense, which fails miserably, and the Lob Wedge punts.
With the ball 95-yards from the end zone, the Steelers defense is up to the field position game, and holds the Cowboys to a 3-and-out. Punt.
The Steelers get the ball within breathing distance of midfield. After an incompletion, Ben hits Heath over the middle, but Heath, who has one of the best set of hands on the team, gets hit from behind and fumbles. Dallas recovers on the 45, winning the field position turnaround and killing any momentum the Steelers might have had.
To make matters worse, Romo hit Choice on a short pass that he turned into a 12-yard gain to move into Steelers territory. Farrior stuffed Choice to end the longest first quarter of the year. It was brutal, especially in the cold.
Second Quarter
Romo found Choice with Big Snack in man coverage, and took advantage. But the Snack was hungry, and brought Choice down before the sticks. Romo looked for Owens on 3rd and short, but pressure from Foote broke up the play. The Cowboys elect to go for it on 4th and 2, but Romo can't hook up with TO and the Steelers take over.
Parker manages 2 yards to the outside, which was a stupid play call because the Cowboys defense is fast. We should have been running up the middle. After two incompletions for Nate, it's Lob Wedge time again. 30 yards. Vomit.
Choice shows a flash of speed and gets through a seam as the safeties are sitting back. Polamalu brings him down after 11 yards. Farrior and Snack show up on the next play to stop Choice in his tracks. Harrison gets pressure on 2nd down, forcing a bad pass. You knew what was coming next.
Parker manages 2 yards to the outside, which was a stupid play call because the Cowboys defense is fast. We should have been running up the middle. After two incompletions for Nate, it's Lob Wedge time again. 30 yards. Vomit.
Choice shows a flash of speed and gets through a seam as the safeties are sitting back. Polamalu brings him down after 11 yards. Farrior and Snack show up on the next play to stop Choice in his tracks. Harrison gets pressure on 2nd down, forcing a bad pass. You knew what was coming next.
Like a shark, Harrison smells blood in the water and swats the ball out of Romo's hand for his 15th sack of the season, tying the team record set by Mike Merriweather. Kirschke fell on the loose ball, giving us a huge swing of momentum. Dallas challenged the fumble, but it wasn't happening. Steelers ball.
Moore gets 7 on first down, then Ben hits Hines on a Flanker screen that he gets close to the sticks. Ben tries a QB-sneak on 3rd and short but fumbles the ball. Dallas recovers to steal momentum back.
The Cowboys get themselves into a 3rd and 4 and try a draw play against the nickel defense, which was a good idea, but Aaron Smith and Farrior were able to pull Choice down before the marker. Punt. Dallas' real punter booms a 51-yarder, killing it inside the 10. We miss you Danny Boy.
Backed up inside the 10 with a punter that sucks, you knew we needed a first down or two if we were going to give our defense any chance of stopping them. Arians tries to get it through the motif offense, but it wasn't happening. The Lob Wedge gets some serious backspin on his punt (not what you want when kicking out of your own end zone, but in this case it worked out) and the ball hits one of the Cowboys covering the kick. Timmons falls on the ball to give the Steelers offense new life.
You were hoping this was the spark they needed to get things going, but after two incompletions, we were looking at 3rd and long. Ben hit Moore out of the backfield for a 7-yard gain, but that was well short of the first down, bringing out the Lob Wedge again.
Owens tries to sneak behind Ike down the sidelines like Moss did last week, but Ike is all over it and pulls down a HUGE interception to give the Steelers the ball deep in Dallas territory.
Parker comes in to run the motif offense and picks up 8 yards to set up 3rd and 2. Remind me again why we don't run the ball anymore on 3rd and 2 and insist on going empty-backfield? Ben can't hit Sweed, but the Cowboys were cheating, so we got 5 yards and a first down. Parker gets stuffed on first down at the 10, and two incompletions later, it was field goal time.
Moore gets 7 on first down, then Ben hits Hines on a Flanker screen that he gets close to the sticks. Ben tries a QB-sneak on 3rd and short but fumbles the ball. Dallas recovers to steal momentum back.
The Cowboys get themselves into a 3rd and 4 and try a draw play against the nickel defense, which was a good idea, but Aaron Smith and Farrior were able to pull Choice down before the marker. Punt. Dallas' real punter booms a 51-yarder, killing it inside the 10. We miss you Danny Boy.
Backed up inside the 10 with a punter that sucks, you knew we needed a first down or two if we were going to give our defense any chance of stopping them. Arians tries to get it through the motif offense, but it wasn't happening. The Lob Wedge gets some serious backspin on his punt (not what you want when kicking out of your own end zone, but in this case it worked out) and the ball hits one of the Cowboys covering the kick. Timmons falls on the ball to give the Steelers offense new life.
You were hoping this was the spark they needed to get things going, but after two incompletions, we were looking at 3rd and long. Ben hit Moore out of the backfield for a 7-yard gain, but that was well short of the first down, bringing out the Lob Wedge again.
Owens tries to sneak behind Ike down the sidelines like Moss did last week, but Ike is all over it and pulls down a HUGE interception to give the Steelers the ball deep in Dallas territory.
Parker comes in to run the motif offense and picks up 8 yards to set up 3rd and 2. Remind me again why we don't run the ball anymore on 3rd and 2 and insist on going empty-backfield? Ben can't hit Sweed, but the Cowboys were cheating, so we got 5 yards and a first down. Parker gets stuffed on first down at the 10, and two incompletions later, it was field goal time.
3-0
The Cowboys took over with 2:40 and no time outs, looking to get something going. Choice had his way against our nickel package in this game, taking the first carry of the drive for 10 yards. Romo hit Witten for 9 more to get the ball across the 40 as the clock stopped at 2:00. Out of the break, Choice picked up the first down, then Romo went back to Witten for a big 22-yard gain. Choice picked up 4 to get inside the 30, then Romo missed Witten due to pressure by Woodley. Romo was confused by the defense and with no timeouts left, had to take a delay of game penalty. On 3rd and 11 with 30 seconds to go, Romo hit Witten for 7 yards to get the Cowboys into field goal range. Nick Folk hits a 44-yarder as time expires in the half.
3-3
Halftime
The lines at the men's bathrooms were longer than the lines at the women's bathrooms. Some dude peed in a cup in the corner rather than waiting in line. At Three Rivers people used to pee in the sinks at halftime. Someone crapped in a sink once during a playoff game there. Haven't seen any of that yet at Heinz Field.
By the way, that's halftime analysis you're not going to get on any other blog.
By the way, that's halftime analysis you're not going to get on any other blog.
Third Quarter
Russell manages a good kickoff return and Parker starts the drive with a solid run. But then things start to fall apart.
Pressure forces a bad throw on a screen pass, then Ben is sacked to end the drive. The Lob Wedge manages a 34-yard punt to give Dallas the ball on their 30.
Choice gets stuffed on first down, but Romo scrambles away from a sack and picks up a few to set up 3rd and short. With the safeties playing deep, Choice bounces one to the outside and takes it for 22 yards. Romo complets another pass to get down to the 25. Choice goes outside again and picks up 12 yards to get inside the 15. Ryan Clark comes up to stop Choice in the hole on first down. On 2nd and 9 the Steelers only rush 3. Big mistake. Romo has all day to throw and scrambles out to his right and heaves a ball for the end zone with Kirschke in his face. TO goes up and snags it at the back of the end zone for the score.
Choice gets stuffed on first down, but Romo scrambles away from a sack and picks up a few to set up 3rd and short. With the safeties playing deep, Choice bounces one to the outside and takes it for 22 yards. Romo complets another pass to get down to the 25. Choice goes outside again and picks up 12 yards to get inside the 15. Ryan Clark comes up to stop Choice in the hole on first down. On 2nd and 9 the Steelers only rush 3. Big mistake. Romo has all day to throw and scrambles out to his right and heaves a ball for the end zone with Kirschke in his face. TO goes up and snags it at the back of the end zone for the score.
3-10
Things were looking down, but a touchdown on the next drive would have made up for everything. Mewelde Moore starts things off by reeling in a short pass then busting a carry for a first down. No surprise, Ben goes 5-wide, the Cowboys bring pressure and Ben is sacked. When will we learn that this 5-wide shit doesn't work? Ben comes back and connects with Heath then scrambles for 7 yards, but still comes up 4 yards short of the sticks. The Lob Wedge boots another 30-yarder to the Dallas 28. I never thought punting could make me this angry.
Romo hits Owens on a crossing route for 11, then finds Choice across the middle in space, which winds up being a huge 50-yard gain down to the 10 after he makes some guys miss in the open field. Kirschke gets some heat on Romo, forcing a bad pass for Williams on first and goal. Choice gets 3 yards on 2nd down, setting up a big 3rd and goal.
Romo hits Owens on a crossing route for 11, then finds Choice across the middle in space, which winds up being a huge 50-yard gain down to the 10 after he makes some guys miss in the open field. Kirschke gets some heat on Romo, forcing a bad pass for Williams on first and goal. Choice gets 3 yards on 2nd down, setting up a big 3rd and goal.
Enter James Farrior.
HUUUUGE sack to keep the Cowboys out of the end zone and hold them to a field goal.
3-13
We need points. So what happens on first down? Ben gets sacked. After an incompletion on 2nd down, things were looking grim. However, Ben goes deep over the top and finds Holmes in man coverage against Terence Newman. Holmes reels it in for a huge 47-yard gain to get the ball into Dallas territory. Nasty Nate reels one in to get inside the 30 then Moore busts a run to get inside the 20. Ben holds on to the ball for far too long on the next play and gets pulled down, barely getting the pass away. The Cowboys challenge and win, as video showed Ben's knee was down before he got the pass off. Official ruling: Sack. Ben has to scramble away from pressure and gets forced to the sidelines where he manages to find Holmes coming back for the ball. Solid hookup to end the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The best thing that happened to us in the 3rd quarter? The Cowboys using their last challenge.
The Steelers came down to our end of the field, needing a score. They caught a break when Dallas was offsides on 3rd down, negating an incomplete pass. Gary Russell pounds for 5 yards to get the first down and get the ball down to the 5. In a series that defines why Arians should be fired, Parker runs twice to get the ball down to the 1. Instead of running at the 1, Arians decides it would be a good idea to go play-action...to the fullback. Carey Davis is brought down short of the goal line for no gain. The Steelers elect to go for it, and decide to actuall run this time, when they get stuffed. Gah.
The Cowboys taking over deep in our zone, you know what time it is? RENEGADE.
Romo quiets the crowd by hooking up with Owens for a first down, but then the defense comes alive. Choice gets stuffed on first down, then manages 5 on 2nd down and brought down for a loss by Polamalu on 3rd down. Punt.
The Steelers came down to our end of the field, needing a score. They caught a break when Dallas was offsides on 3rd down, negating an incomplete pass. Gary Russell pounds for 5 yards to get the first down and get the ball down to the 5. In a series that defines why Arians should be fired, Parker runs twice to get the ball down to the 1. Instead of running at the 1, Arians decides it would be a good idea to go play-action...to the fullback. Carey Davis is brought down short of the goal line for no gain. The Steelers elect to go for it, and decide to actuall run this time, when they get stuffed. Gah.
The Cowboys taking over deep in our zone, you know what time it is? RENEGADE.
Romo quiets the crowd by hooking up with Owens for a first down, but then the defense comes alive. Choice gets stuffed on first down, then manages 5 on 2nd down and brought down for a loss by Polamalu on 3rd down. Punt.
In something we haven't seen all year, Santonio Holmes busts a great punt return down to the 25 to set us up in great position.
Ben starts strong by hitting Spaeth. Parker gets 2 to set up 3rd and 2. Remind me again why we don't run on 3rd and 2? Ben gets sacked, bringing out the field goal team. Reed is money and the lead is cut to one score.
Ben starts strong by hitting Spaeth. Parker gets 2 to set up 3rd and 2. Remind me again why we don't run on 3rd and 2? Ben gets sacked, bringing out the field goal team. Reed is money and the lead is cut to one score.
6-13
Reed craps on his foot and kicks the ball out of bounds, giving the Cowboys excellent field position. But the defense is up to the challenge. Woodley rocks Choice on first down, then Kirschke comes up with a big sack on 2nd down. Romo hits Witten on 3rd down, but Ike and Deshea team up for a big tackle to keep him well short of the sticks, forcing a punt.
Off a bad punt, the Steelers get the ball at the 33 with just over 5 minutes to play. The offense had been a load of crap since the game started, and the goal-line stop left everyone with some severe doubt. But guess what? They decided to start earning their multi-million dollar contracts.
Ben and Nasty Nate hook up for 14 and 21-yard completions, moving the ball to the Dallas 32 as the clock wound under 4 minutes. Hines drops a ball that was a little behind him, but still one he had to catch on first down. Ben can't hook up with Moore on 2nd down, bringing up 3rd and 10. Under pressure, Ben remembers he has legs and takes off. He winds up being inches short of the sticks. They have no choice but to go for it, and Ben dives forward on a QB sneak. The refs call for the chains....
Off a bad punt, the Steelers get the ball at the 33 with just over 5 minutes to play. The offense had been a load of crap since the game started, and the goal-line stop left everyone with some severe doubt. But guess what? They decided to start earning their multi-million dollar contracts.
Ben and Nasty Nate hook up for 14 and 21-yard completions, moving the ball to the Dallas 32 as the clock wound under 4 minutes. Hines drops a ball that was a little behind him, but still one he had to catch on first down. Ben can't hook up with Moore on 2nd down, bringing up 3rd and 10. Under pressure, Ben remembers he has legs and takes off. He winds up being inches short of the sticks. They have no choice but to go for it, and Ben dives forward on a QB sneak. The refs call for the chains....
Santonio was all over that one.
On the next play, Ben finds Nasty Nate in single coverage to get down to the 5. Nate got his leg twisted in an ugly way, but he was able to walk off the field. It looked really ugly, but I think he'll be okay. With first and goal at the 5, when we couldn't get it in running, what do we do?
Damn straight.
Ben finds Heath on a short route. Heath runs for the pylon and dives...
Bench, any thoughts?
TOUCHDOWN. GAME TIED.
13-13
Big players make big plays in big games.
Offense wins games. DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Wow.
Just...wow.
Damn straight.
Ben finds Heath on a short route. Heath runs for the pylon and dives...
Bench, any thoughts?
TOUCHDOWN. GAME TIED.
13-13
Reed pounds a booming kickoff driving the Artist Formerly Known As Pacman back to the goal line. Jones brings it out, but is met by Keyaron Fox and Andre Frazier at the 15.
Two-minute warning
The Cowboys had two options. Try and mount a two-minute drive to get in field goal range and win it, or play for overtime. One problem: over the break, RENEGADE played again. And we all know about the lore of RENEGADE. The Steelers have their nickel defense on the field and the Cowboys call a draw, which is stopped for a short gain by Farrior and Kirschke. The Steelers, hoping to get the ball back, call a time out.
In a story that has been all over the news, an indignant Tony Romo mouthed off to Farrior and Woodley about how he couldn't believe we had called a time out. Personally, I was against the time out. In the situation, it saved Dallas time. However, I was about to be proven wrong.
Romo drops back, looks for Witten but the ball sails on him right into the waiting arms of Deshea Townsend. Deshea, with a lot of open field in front of him, makes a beeline for the pylon with Witten in hot pursuit. Witten, Deshea and the pylon all come together.
In a story that has been all over the news, an indignant Tony Romo mouthed off to Farrior and Woodley about how he couldn't believe we had called a time out. Personally, I was against the time out. In the situation, it saved Dallas time. However, I was about to be proven wrong.
Romo drops back, looks for Witten but the ball sails on him right into the waiting arms of Deshea Townsend. Deshea, with a lot of open field in front of him, makes a beeline for the pylon with Witten in hot pursuit. Witten, Deshea and the pylon all come together.
Big players make big plays in big games.
Offense wins games. DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Wow.
Just...wow.
Everyone was going nuts. It was totally crazy. Some lady from 2 rows behind me ended up a row in front of me. I don't know how it happened. It was insane. Just totally and utterly insane.
Reed came on and knocked in the extra point. 20-13. By the way...Renegade: the legend continues.
With 1:40 to go, the game still wasn't over. Dallas now needed a long drive to tie the game. Romo hit Williams on first down to move the sticks and start things off and you started to get worried. But this defense isn't like any defense we've seen in a long, long time. Woodley gets pressure two plays in a row, causing bad passes intended for Choice. On 3rd down, Romo goes deep but vastly overthrows TO with Ike in tight coverage. On 4th down, Harrison gets pressure and forces a bad pass, getting us our 3rd stop on 4th down in the game.
Dallas had 2 timeouts left, meaning we had to run a few plays with 51 seconds on the clock to close it out. Gary Russell gets two carries to force them to burn their time outs, then Ben goes to the victory formation.
GAME.
Reed came on and knocked in the extra point. 20-13. By the way...Renegade: the legend continues.
With 1:40 to go, the game still wasn't over. Dallas now needed a long drive to tie the game. Romo hit Williams on first down to move the sticks and start things off and you started to get worried. But this defense isn't like any defense we've seen in a long, long time. Woodley gets pressure two plays in a row, causing bad passes intended for Choice. On 3rd down, Romo goes deep but vastly overthrows TO with Ike in tight coverage. On 4th down, Harrison gets pressure and forces a bad pass, getting us our 3rd stop on 4th down in the game.
Dallas had 2 timeouts left, meaning we had to run a few plays with 51 seconds on the clock to close it out. Gary Russell gets two carries to force them to burn their time outs, then Ben goes to the victory formation.
GAME.
Players of the Game:
Offensive Game Ball: Nate Washington
Offensive Game Ball: Nate Washington
I know Heath had the touchdown catch, but Nate had 3 huge grabs on that drive that got the offense moving. I've been a critic of Nate all year, but it's good to see him finally come through and pull in some big catches when it's needed.
Defensive Game Ball: Deshea TownsendAfter all Deshea's been through this year with injury, it's great to see him come through with a huge play to win the game. The Steelers depth at cornerback was an asset in this game, allowing them to rotate Townsend, McFadden and Gay into the lineup without losing a beat.
Honorable Mentions:
Troy Polamalu
James Harrison
Heath Miller
Ike Taylor
Travis Kirschke
Mr. Yuck Sticker of the Game
Passing on 3rd and 2
Troy Polamalu
James Harrison
Heath Miller
Ike Taylor
Travis Kirschke
Mr. Yuck Sticker of the Game
Passing on 3rd and 2
Every once in a while, just to mix it up, it would be okay. But this has become a norm for the team and more often than not it fails. Parker, Moore and Russell are all capable backs and our offensive line has been playing great. Here's a novel idea: put a fullback in.
Final Thoughts
- Great win. This was a classic.
- Romo came into the game leading the league in passer rating. He had 3 interceptions and a fumble.
- Harrison is a monster. He gets held all game and still makes plays.
- Great interception by Ike. Good to see him come down with one.
- DESHEA!!!!!!!!!!
- Big players make big plays in big games
- Holmes stepped up when we needed it. He's starting to come into his own.
- What's up with Hines? He hasn't looked the same the past few weeks.
- Did we forget about Spaeth now that Heath is back? If we're going to use two tight ends, we might as well use them.
- We miss Dan Krieder. Probably more than Jerome Bettis. Yes, I just said that.
- We need to use a fullback more.
- Huge game against Baltimore next week: win the game, win the division.
No comments:
Post a Comment