Larger text
Smaller text
Print
E-mail
Steelers remain alive and dreaming thanks to Cleveland
It was a game in which Marvel Smith made a long-awaited return at left tackle (and gave up a sack on the Steelers' second pass attempt), tight end Mark Bruener caught his first pass of the season (and, even more amazingly, happened to be standing in the end zone at the time), and the special teams performed so well that coach Bill Cowher publicly contemplated introducing the kickoff coverage unit, rather than the offense or defense, prior to this coming Sunday's "showdown" against Cincinnati.
The Steelers' 13-6 victory on Sunday afternoon at Cleveland Browns Stadium was all that and more, including another indictment of the AFC North Division in general and the Steelers and Browns in particular.
This was a game that wasn't won nearly as much as it was lost.
Now that the Browns have lost it, the two teams are tied for last place but also just two games out of first place.
Incredibly, both remain in the playoff chase, at least for another Sunday.
To put that in perspective, imagine the unmistakable shrill of Jim Mora's infamous meltdown right about now.
"Playoffs?"
"PLAYOFFS?"
The Steelers remained theoretically -- if not realistically -- in the hunt because they were less inept than the Browns, barely. Despite the defensive heroics in close, which included a fourth-and-goal stop from the 1-yard line and an end zone interception while clinging to a 10-6, third-quarter lead, the Steelers allowed the Browns 19 first downs, 75 offensive snaps and 303 total net yards.
Three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and three sacks enabled the Steelers' defense to consistently escape unscathed, but so did the Browns' insistence on handing the ball or throwing it to running back James Jackson as often as possible, and quarterback Kelly Holcomb's game-long reluctance to fire it downfield as he and Tim Couch had so recently against the Steelers with such great success.
Is this why the Browns cut Kevin Johnson, so that James Jackson could get 30 touches?
The Steelers were at least able to punt nine times because they avoided the turnovers that repeatedly devastated Cleveland. Quarterback Tommy Maddox wound up with 73 yards passing, including 21 to his leading receiver, fullback Dan Kreider, who managed to haul in the Steelers' long pass of the day (15 yards) among his two receptions.
Kicker Jeff Reed missed his third consecutive field goal early, but came through late when the Steelers needed him (his 46-yard effort midway through the fourth quarter established a seven-point lead and much-needed breathing room).
Safety Troy Polamalu made a play or two at safety, but was also flagged for three penalties (defensive holding, holding on a kickoff return and offsides), three of the 10 committed by the Steelers.
False starts (including one against wide receiver Plaxico Burress), dropped interceptions and an injury that could keep starting center Jeff Hartings sidelined for the next couple of weeks further complicated and confused the Steelers' afternoon.
Despite all that, Cowher was able to absorb all that transpired with bottom-line clarity.
"We're still looking at (the) playoffs, that's still there," he insisted.
Playoffs?
PLAYOFFS?
Where's Jim Mora when you need him?
