Send your postgame critiques, analysis, ranting and raving about the last game as well as your predictions, smak, & insults about our upcoming opponent. Whether your message is a simple, "Go Steelers!" or detailed, in-depth analysis, tell us what you think and we'll post it.
Who deserves the game ball for the win over the Vikings?
Hines Ward
( 57%)
Kordell Stewart
( 40%)
D. Washington
( 2%)
Lee Flowers
( 2%)
Scoring Summary
First Quarter PIT - FG, Kris Brown 26 Yd.
Second Quarter PIT - TD, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, 1 Yd run (kick failed).
NYJ - TD, Wayne Chrebet, 18 Yd pass from Curtis Martin (PAT is good).
PIT - FG, Kris Brown 33 Yd.
Third Quarter None.
Fourth Quarter PIT - FG, Kris Brown 38 Yd.
PIT - FG, Kris Brown 20 Yd.
Key Stats & Facts
• The Steelers OWNED time of possession 36:53 to 23:07: This is one of those under-publicized things Pittsburgh does week in and week out that will enable them to beat high-powered offenses like say, the Rams, should they encounter them in the post-season.
• Curtis Martin passed more effectively than he ran: True, Martin burned us by scoring the Jets' only TD on a halfback option pass, but when the league's leading ground gainer is a bigger threat passing than he is running (only 58 yards in 18 carries), I'm okay with that...
• Kordell Stewart 5 of 6 for 66 yds on 3rd down in first half: I'm tellin' 'ya, how effective a QB is on 3rd down can make or break an offense. Stewart's 3rd-down efficiency has been outstanding this year. These are NOT high-percentage "Kneel O'Dummell-esque" 3-yard dink passes on 3rd & 7, either, folks. Stew connected on 3rd down passes of 13, 16, 5, 24, and 8 yards in the first half, and EVERY ONE of those completions moved the chains (not to mention he ran for a 8-yard conversion).
• Hines Ward 10 catches for 124 yards: Unless you live in Pittsburgh or bleed Black and Gold, most football fans don't have a clue who this guy is. But Ward's time is coming, folks... people all over the country are gonna know his name come January. Write it down.
• Offensive line continues to shine in spite of injuries: The pass protection for Stewart was again outstanding --- a fact that needs to be trumpeted --- and in spite of losing Bruener and the absence of Tylski, it was pretty much 'bidniss as usual up front. Faneca and Gandy in particular have become an unstoppable force, and while Ross (subbing for Tylski) missed blocks a few times on runs (he was culpable for at least a pair of negative yardage stuffs on Fu), the unit as a whole remains the best in the league.
• No sacks or turnovers by the defense: Not a criticism as much as an observation. Hey, I'm not gonna argue with a defense that allowed only 7 points and completely neutralized the league's top rusher (nevermind that they lead the league in nearly every meaningful statistic). It's just nice to see a sack or a pick now and then, dontcha think?
• Kris Brown 4 of 6 on field goal attempts: It's hard to be too critical of a guy that was responsible for 12 of your 18 points. But let's face it... Brown cost the Steelers 7 points, missing an extra point and 2 field goals (40 and 44 yds). Still, I'm with Kordell Stewart: he's our kicker and I'm gonna support him through thick and thin... until the off-season, that is.
Kris Brown gave us flashbacks to the Ravens game, missing an extra point and 2 FGs vs. the Jets, but redeemed himself by hitting 4 FGs in the 18-7 win.
You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses. Let's all stop worrying about struggles of Kris Brown, bruthas and sistas, and take time to smell the flowers (but please, not Lee Flowers).
The Steelers haven't experienced this kind of success in over 20 years, people. I don't know about you guys, but I am absolutely relishing this season, and I intend to drink in every delicious drop. Monday mornings suddenly feel like they did when I was a kid. I walk outside and take a deep breath of the cool, crisp morning air, then think to myself with a grin, "Ah, yes, the Steelers won again yesterday... life is good." As I drive to work, I invariably find myself whistling a carefree chorus of "You are My Sunshine." If some one cuts me off in traffic, I just smile broadly and give 'em a friendly wave. Can you feel the Steeler love, man?
The New York Jets certainly felt it last Sunday in nearly every phase of the game.
Above all, they got plenty 'O lovin' from Kordell Stewart, who was magnificent, particularly on 3rd down, something that has become his trademark this season (Kordell is the league's #2-rated passer on 3rd down). With Jerome Bettis in street clothes, Stewart HAD to perform well, and his decisive, accurate throws were the key to winning this game. He and Hines Ward (10 catches for 124 yards) definitely had the mojo going on. Now, if Burress could only shake off his drop-gremlins and consistently make the kind of plays he's capable of...
As some have pointed out, it's easy to fall into the trap of focusing too much on Stewart. But his metamorphisis into an outstanding QB is impossible to overlook... Pittsburgh's "achiles heel" has become a bonafide strength.
Certainly, his accuracy and decision-making skills have improved immensely under Mularkey and Clements. But what strikes me most is how completely Kordell has donned the mantle of leadership... he has total command of this team. Case in point: Stewart's demonstrative defense of Kris Brown when the crowd rained a chorus of boos down on the kicker as he lined up to attempt a FG in the 4th quarter.
Stew has obviously been there. Oh, MAN, has he been there! As he exhorted the crowd to support Brown, I couldn't help but wonder what must've been going through his mind. I know what was going through mine... I don't remember any of Stewart's teammates ever publicly backing HIM up that way. For Brown, I don't think the cheerleading could've come from a better source at a better time. It's leading by example, and Stewart's history of riches to rags to riches gave him the authority to do what he did. His display of support is the kind of thing that will stay with Brown during the post season. In essence, Stewart proved that if Brown ever gets into a street fight in a dark alley, Kordell will be there to back him up. You can't overstate the psychological impact of that kind of high-profile, public support, especially to a player in a slump.
As for the rest of the game, the stats tell the story. Pick a statistic, ANY statistic, and the Steelers OWNED it. They led in time of possession by a whopping 14 minutes! They outgained New York 345 to 220, more than doubling the Jets' rushing total. They had more 1st downs, more 3rd down conversions, and more return yards. If not for Chris Brown's errant kicks, the score is a runaway at 25-7. Hines Ward was about one catch away from having more yards receiving than Vinnie Testeverde had throwing. This was an absolute ass-kicking.
To those of you who are concerned at our lack of sacks over the last few weeks, I hear you. But when you hold a team to only 7 points, who cares? The game plan in this one was to contain Curtis Martin, who finished the game with only 58 yards. Mission accomplished.
Onward. Next up are the Baltimore Ravens, who could present a slightly bigger obstacle than the Jets. A win will clinch the division and a playoff berth, and very likely a 14-2 season. Not to mention another harmonious Monday morning.
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Fan Smak & Analysis
The following articles are listed in the order they were received (with the most recent entries at the top). This isn't a "guestbook" format... I read and manually insert every message, so you may not see your submission show up immediately. Thanks a million for your comments, people!
This is my first post to this board, and I wanted to start by saying that this
is by far the best Steelers site I've found on the web. I've lived Steeler
football since the age of 7 when I watched the first Superbowl I can remember -
Steelers 31 Rams 19.
Over the years I've learned many things. One of which is that Steeler fans are
the best in the world, and you have to have the heart of a champion to make it
as a player in the 'burgh.
That brings me to Kordell Stewart. It's funny how Peyton Manning has gone from
NFL glamour boy to human ball machine for opposing defenses. The loss of your
running back and several injuries can do that. It's also funny how well Jay
Fiedler of the Dolphins is doing with Chan Gailey as his coordiantor. Fieldler
would be cut from many high school field hockey teams if left to his own
devices, but is in a system tailored to his strengths.
And that is my point. You either put a player in a system that plays to his
strengths, or find a player to fit the system. For two years Kordell was blamed
because Coach Cowher decided to forget all about that. They tried to put him
into systems that just don't work for him. Now, with a decent coordinator and
quarterback coach, Kordell is becoming what the organization wouldn't allow him
to the past two seasons. Don't believe me - go talk to journeyman Rich Gannon
of the Raiders who is in the right system and heading to the pro bowl.
Meanwhile, Kordell stayed strong and isn't telling anyone I told you so. And,
who was urging fans to cheer for a shaken kicker on Sunday - it was Kordell -
Urging fans to show the kind of support and patience with a key player that they
never showed for him.
Kordell has shown the heart of a champion. The same kind of heart that Terry
Bradshaw showed when unforgiving fans tortured him early in his career. Kordell
hasn't won any Superbowls, but he's the reason we're on our way in 2001. I for
one think it would only be right for him to lead the Steelers to #5.
What's up Steeler brothers. First of all I am a DIE HARD Steeler fan, loyal to the black and gold no matter what our record is. The Jets victory was great for us. The "10" in the win column made my normally crappy Monday morning fantastic. But I must admit I am worried. I am terrified whenever Chris Brown steps on the field lately. He is a great kicker and I think most of the problems are mental, but I thought he would shake it off after we beat the hell out of the Ravens and still lost. I realize that there are many ways to lose a game and you really can't blame one person, but there are also many ways to win a game and the kicker is one of them. When Kordell got us downfield right before the half aginst the Jets I was praying that Kris would make the field goal. I used to know he would. It kinda reminded me of this '78 Steelers-Oilers game (Shell destroyed Earl Cambell) and Roy Gerela is kicking 40 yard field goals everywhere but through the uprights. And in that low scoring game we needed him. With the playoffs right around the corner we the Steeler Family definitley need our kicker. I live in Germany working as a civilian on a US ARMY base and I won't make it to Heinz Feild any time soon. But brothers, we gotta take it easy on Kris til' his confidence returns. If we keep booing him, we will send him into the playoffs a nervous wreck. And if he's a nervous wreck with :03 seconds at the 30 yard line and we are down by 2 we will find ourselves winning the SuperBowl on Playstation 2.
The Jets game was a great victory! But lets not boo Kris right now.
It is time to stop speaking about the quarterback like he has some ability to control entire games. Admit, please, that he is but one of 11 players on the offensive team. Sure, it is arguably one of the most skilled positions on a football team, but we just HAVE to stop laying all the credit for winning football on the quarterback. Likewise, we need not put all the blame there for losing football. Look at the statistics, please. Kordell is having one of the best years of his professional career, but this does not mean that he is the reason that Pittsburgh is winning. Our beloved Steelers have some seriously talented players on BOTH sides of the football. K. Bell, the first rookie to start at linebacker since Lambert! Aaron Smith is having a great year as a down lineman. We have a rookie in Casey Hampton at noseguard who is doing just fine. Let's not forget Joey Porter, and our secondary is second to none.
Helping Kordell along is one of the premier running backs in the NFL, Jerome Bettis (Oh, man... it is so nice to see him running when he is healthy.) In addition, our wide receiver corps is quitely making a name for itself, lead by Hines (the man) Ward. We lost the best blocking tight end (Bruener) to injured reserve, but his back-up Jerame Tuman is still able to seal off those defensive tackles. The entire offensive line, anchored by Jeff Hartings, consistently provides excellent run blocking schemes to free our backs.
So, while I will agree with you that Kordell is having one of his better years in a long time (4 years), he is not solely responsible for Pittsburgh's success this year. I mean, c'mon... we can't score touchdowns!
The game against the Jets was quite a relief. Even I was having doubts about how good we would play. Not only did we beat a team with a winning record, but we also beat them WITHOUT the help of the Bus.
I am absolutely cherishing the sweetness of this season. It tastes even better coming back out from three years of a playoof drought, to the best team in the AFC.
But here's the prob that i currently face. The steeler's still ain't getting the ruh'spect they deserve. STILL. The ravens are three points above us on the line. Even SPortingnews is predicting a ravens win. WHAT KINDA HOOPLA IS THAT!?!??!?! We absolutely OWNED this team last time we met. As long as Kris can BOOT dah' BOOT, we should be fine.
Another great win. And i feel the steelers building momentum up against the Ravens.
I just want to give props to Hines Ward. I know I'm biased but I think he's one of the top 5 receivers in the game. The guy does it all!!!! on a negative note I'm a little nervous about going in to the playoffs with Kris Brown kicking so inconsistiently and Chad Scott plays like he hasent a clue at times.
