"Still can't believe they won" -- read a text from Pat of Steeler Nation's Michigan Bureau over 2 hours after the game.
Me neither. Pittsburgh (5-3) stunned the defending Super Bowl champion Giants (6-3) in New York 24-20 for their third win in a row and stopping a four game winning streak by New York. The Steelers outplayed the Giants in every facet of the game, but had to overcome four of the worst calls ever in the history of Steeler-hater-officiating.
Pittsburgh could have easily won this game by a more comfortable count of 27-6. The Steelers outnumbered the Giants in first downs 22-13, in passing yards 216-125, in rushing yards 158-68 rushing, and even penalties 119-40 (meaning Pittsburgh was penalized a hell of a lot more than New York).
The Steelers jumped ahead 7-0 when Big Ben threw a 4-yard TD pass to Emmanuel Sanders. And then the Steeler-hating-officiating kicked in to high gear.
Usually it is nothing to write home (or on blogs) about when a few close calls don't go your way. However, what makes these four calls so special is that they weren't even close -- in fact, it would take the light from "close" over a thousand years to reach how incredibly bad these calls were. First, there was a 41-yard all-ball-pass-interference call on Keenan Lewis who dared to knock the ball away from a would be pass catcher. On the same drive, on third-and-goal, Ryan Clark was flagged for a blow-to-the-head when he hit Victor Cruz squarely in the ribs. As Michigan correspondent Heather duly noted: "Cruz suffered a rib injury from being hit in the head." And if that wasn't enough help, #35 of the Giants was clearly stopped a half-yard short of the goal-line -- but no matter -- TOUCHDOWN GIANTS, 7-7 game.
All of of that preceded the queen-mother-of-all-ridiculous calls when Big Ben threw an incomplete pass that was picked up by a New York defender and carried 70 yards for a touchdown -- 14-7 Giants. After all of the horrible calls earlier, this Steeler fan thought for sure this one was coming back--but no--passes by Steeler QBs are now considered "air fumbles" I suppose.
Pittsburgh trailed 20-10 going into the 4th quarter and all across Steeler Nation, the feeling that the game was simply being taken away from us was pervasive.
And then, something wonderful happened. Big Ben intentionally "air-fumbled" to Mike Wallace for a 51-yard touchdown, giving Roethlisberger 16 touchdown passes against only 4 interceptions on the year, while cutting the Steelers deficit to 17-20.
The thrill was tempered later in the quarter when on 4th and inches from the the 3 yard line the Steelers lined up for a 20-yard FG to ostensibly tie the game. However, it was a fake and kicker Shaun Suisham was stuffed. Had Pittsburgh lost this game--Mike Tomlin would have a hard time living that call down. If you're going to go for it -- go for it. Isaac Redman can get you a yard rushing, not Suisham.
Redman carried the rock 26 times on the day for 147 yards including the game winning touchdown from 4 yards out with 4:42 to go -- 24-20 Steelers!
The Steeler Face recorded this game on his DVR and will now replay it--and may actually enjoy it this time around. What a win for the Steelers . . . Pittsburgh's going to the Super Bowl . . . I got a feeling . . .
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