Game Story- Steelers & Jets

Colleen Wolfe
Com 380
Professor Bishop

Pittsburgh Steelers go 20-17 against New York Jets in OT.

If choking in a playoff game isn’t lethal, I’m sure New York Jets’ Doug Brien wanted it to be after missing not one, but TWO possible game-winning field goals against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The intense overtime game ended 20-17 Steelers with Jeff Reed accomplishing the coveted field goal ending the Atlantic Football Conference divisional playoff game.

It might have been luck, it might have been fate, or even a supernatural force, but Heinz Field was blessed on Saturday when the Steelers became the AFC champions over the Jets.

Having played a record-breaking regular season, the Steelers went into this game with home field advantage; as well as, the only AFC team and forth National Football League team with a 15-1 record. Following true to the record, Pittsburgh was the first to score, when Jerome Bettis rushed for 17 yards on a drive that ended with a 45-yard field goal from Jeff Reed. The ball was then handed right back to Pittsburgh when Troy Polamalu intercepted a pass intended for Santana Moss from Chad Pennington at the Jets 25-yard line. Bettis then made a three yard rush for a touchdown leaving the score 10-0 Steelers with the extra point from Reed.

From this, the game looked to be in favor of the Steelers; however, the Jets decided to match Pittsburgh’s 10 point lead in the second quarter leaving the stadium in a sudden hush. Brien scored a field goal to put up three points for the Jets and was followed by Santana Moss who returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown that tied the game at 10-10.

With less than five minutes left in the third quarter, the Jets turned the game over with an interception by Reggie Tonque from Steelers’ rookie Ben Roethlisberger, for an 86-yard touchdown. The third quarter ended with a 17-10 lead against Pittsburgh leading the Steelers to wonder if they were going to have enough time to take the game.

Hines Ward then scored the tying touchdown for the Steelers but it appeared to be all over for Pittsburgh when Brien had the chance to kick a game-winning 47-yard field goal. Heinz Stadium immediately erupted with an overwhelming response when Brien’s kick barely hit the crossbar and was too short.

But Rothlisberger’s rookie mistakes grasped hold of him under the pressure and he threw a second pass which was intercepted, practically handing the game over the Jets. Brien then attempted his second field goal, a 43-yard attempt, and lost it for the Jets when his kick soared to the far left of the goalpost. "I tried to hit it a little harder because I was real surprised I didn't have the distance," Brien said, about the 47-yarder. "The second one I missed. The first one didn't go in."