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The first game was a rematch against Cincinnati. They had split the season series with the away team winning both games. On the second play of the game, Carson Palmer (quarterback of the Bengals) threw a long completion to his wide receiver for a first down, but wait. Kimo von olhoffen had been tripped and fell on Carson Palmer. Carson tore his MCL and was done for the game. That meant that Jon Kitna would have to play.
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After a close first half, the Steelers took control of the game. They were able to hold on to the ball and the Cincinnati offense struggled. With a dominating second half comeback, the Steelers would win the game and go on to play the number one seeded Indianapolis Colts.
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Their next game would not be so easy. The colts had a high powered offense led by Peyton Manning (pictured at the right), Edgerrin James, and Marvin Harrison. Their defense was also a force to be reckoned with. When they played at home, in the dome, on turf, they were almost unbeatable. The colts had beaten the Steelers badly in the RCA dome on a Monday night. With the first play being an eighty yard touchdown to Marvin Harrison. This game would not be so easy. But after the first half, the Steelers were up.
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The Steelers were in cruise control. They were up 21-18 with the ball on the colts 3 yd. line. All they had to do was score and they would win. It was a simple handoff to Jerome Bettis. Unfortunately, things are never that easy. He fumbled the ball and the colts picked it up. Had it not been for a lucky, shoestring tackle by Ben Roethlisberger, the colts would have scored and who knows what would have happened. So it was up to the defense. The colts got into field goal range and brought out Mike Vanderjact. Now Mike Vanderjact is one of the most accurate kickers of all time and is very clutch. But bad things happened to good people. He missed the kick and the Steelers pulled out the victory. Next stop: Denver. | |
| The AFC championship game was to be played in Denver. The lack of oxygen would be a problem for Jerome Bettis. So it would be up to fast Willie Parker and Veron Haynes to carry the load. Meanwhile the defense would have to deal with the excellent blocking of the Broncos offensive line. Plus the mobility of Jake the snake Plummer and the down field threat of Rod Smith (pictured at the right). The Steelers took control early and never looked back. Roethlisberger threw multiple touchdown passes and the offense was able to control the clock. The defense forced Jake to make many bad decisions. Jake had three turnovers in all. So the Steelers had done the impossible. They had won three road playoff games and had beaten the three best teams in the conference. Next stop: Detroit and a Super Bowl game against the Seattle Seahawks. |
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The Super Bowl was to be played in Detroit, and the final team was the Seattle Seahawks. They were led by quarterback Matt Hasslebeck (pictured at the left)and halfback Shaun Alexander. They were almost the same as the Colts. They both had powerful offenses who could score at will and both had average defenses. With their quick passing style, they were a tough match up for the Steelers. |
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Big Ben and the Steelers led for most of the game. Shaun Alexander (pictured at the right), the league MVP, was slowed down. With such a lead, the Seahawks were forced to pass. This also helped make Shaun Alexander almost a non-factor. He finished with 93 yards rushing and zero touchdowns. |
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The Steelers would end up winning the game and the Super Bowl. It was their fifth Super Bowl victory in franchise history. The MVP of the game was Hines Ward. Although another leading candidate was Willie Parker who tied the longest touchdown run in a Super Bowl with a 75 yard touchdown run. Jerome Bettis won his first career Super Bowl and ended up retiring after the game. Ben Roethlisberger also was the second youngest player to win a Super Bowl. So everyone went home happy. |
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