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 2000 Steelers 21 vs Raiders 20
 A classic worthy of the rivalry. While the stakes aren't as high and the matchup isn't as "marquis" as some of the '70s meetings between these two proud franchises, the game is epic in it's own right and certainly embodies the ferocity of days gone by. Kordell Stewart comes out hot and caps Pittsburgh's opening drive with a beautiful 19-yd TD pass to Bobby Shaw. Unfortunately, Stewart leaves the game late in the 1st quarter with a knee injury and Kent Graham comes in and throws an ugly pick 6 to Eric Allen on his very first pass. By halftime, Graham has managed just 1 completion, has 3 sacks to go along with his INT and the Steelers trail 17-7. Thankfully, Stewart returns in the 2nd half and picks up right where he left off, leading the Steelers on a marathon 9-minute, 16-pay, 91-yd drive in which he scrambles for 17 yds, converts two 3rd down passes and finally hits Mark Bruener, who drags his would-be tackler into the end zone for a gutsy 6-yd TD. After pinning the Raiders deep and forcing a punt, the Steelers get the ball near midfield and ride The Bus. On first down, Bettis (24 carries, 128 yds) blows through a hole off left guard, steamrolls safety Anthony Dorsett and drags Eric Allen another 5 yds for a 30-yd bull rush to the 17. After a tipped pass, Stewart drops back to pass and then takes off, dodging a pair of Raider tacklers on his way into the end zone for a 21-17 Steelers lead to start the 4th quarter. Janikowski adds a FG to make it a 1-point game on the ensuing drive, but a subsequent 44-yd Janikowski miss with 4 minutes left proves fatal. The Raiders get one last chance from their 10 with a minute and a half to go, but Rich Gannon somehow loses track of downs, thinking he still has 1 more down to go, and the Raiders turn it over without letting Janikowski try a long 50+ yd kick. A fantastic game. |
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