Oct 31 2004
Steelers 34, Patriots 20
Click here for final game stats from NFL.com.
In the end it comes down to these stats:
- Net rushing yards: Steelers 224, Pats 5
- Turnovers: Steelers 0, Pats 4
- Third down conversions: Steelers 9-for-15, Pats 3-for-9
The Pats made too many uncharacteristic mistakes early and dug themselves too deep a hole, and the Steelers rallied behind a raucous Pittsburgh crowd and put an end to New England’s vaunted 21-game winning streak.
Ben Roethlisberger’s streak, however, is alive and well. He has won his first five starts in the NFL, and he made plays today that few were sure he could make. His final numbers: 18-of-24, 196 yards and two touchdowns. This kid is the rookie of the year.
Plus, give the nod to the Steelers’ offensive line, who kept the New England defense off Roethlisberger and opened up all sorts of holes for Duce Staley (125 yards) and Jerome Bettis (65 yards, 1 TD). The Bus ruined his stat line today with a 29-yard run late in the fourth quarter. “Bus Watch” is going to get skewered with a run like that.
Ty Law’s injury was a huge loss for the Patriots’ defense. If that injury knocks Law out of commission for a few weeks, expect the Pats to slip a bit for a few weeks. That team will need Law next week in St. Louis against the Rams.
As for the Steelers, this was a huge win, as it put them two games ahead of Baltimore, who lost to Philadelphia today. The Eagles travel to Pittsburgh next weekend. If the Steelers win two in a row against undefeated teams, they have to be in the conversation for the Super Bowl.
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