Sep 12 2004
Steelers 24, Raiders 21
Click here for final game stats from NFL.com.
Stuart Scott is going to chirp a bit about Steelers placekicker Jeff Reed being a Tar Heel, but that’s okay. Reed’s 42-yarder, capping a drive powered by more strong running from Duce Staley and some quality catches from Hines Ward, won the game in the closing seconds for Pittsburgh.
Notable statistics:
- Tommy Maddox: 13-for-22, 142 yards passing, plus 13 yards rushing on two scrambles, both of which led to first downs.
- Staley: 23 carries, 91 yards. Duce looked very solid today.
- Jerome Bettis: 5 carries, 1 yard, 3 touchdowns. Put that in your fantasy stats…
- Ward: 7 receptions, 99 yards. Hines is the man.
- Steelers defense: 61 yards rushing allowed, plus two interceptions.
The secondary was faked out twice by Rich Gannon, whose pump fakes set up both of his touchdown throws in this game. Pittsburgh’s secondary still looks like a problem. If the blitz ever falters — which it didn’t today — that will be trouble in future games. Today, though, they got the W, and that’s what counts.
Next week: the Baltimore Ravens, who were upset by the Browns in Cleveland today. The Ravens rely almost exclusively on RB Jamal Lewis, who gained only 57 yards against Cleveland today. I know this is a rivalry game, but I really didn’t think the Browns D was that good. Next week should be interesting…
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Good news with regard to Baltimore. If Pitt’s run defense has really improved, then the cornerbacks and safeties can sit back and wait for Boller to make mistakes in the air. Three turnovers by him today, though only two were his fault, which led to the discepency in points. Cleveland’s offense is not that good yet.
Because of this game, unfortunately, I did not get off to the start that I wanted in Pick ‘Em. Buffalo and Houston seemed like good sleeper bets, but perhaps their time hasn’t come yet. We’ll see how Carolina does tomorrow. I expect a close game, no more than a touchdown differential, and a Green Bay upset would not surprise me. Still, I like them to repeat as Division champs, and contend deep into the playoffs.
And maybe the Chargers will have some kind of monster season. *snigger*
Paul
You know I’m no JJ when it comes to watching the Steelers and being new to football (new but definitely love it!) my commentary isn’t worth THAT much but I am curious what you think of the whole “Let’s have Staley run himself into the ground … then we’ll bring Bettis in fresh and score 3 TDs” setup? But thanks to that one game I am now a die-hard Duce Staley fan. What an unbelivable athlete … (Angela formerly of lj buddy-hood)