AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF: STEELERS 35, CHARGERS 24
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
The Miami Herald
jdarlington@MiamiHerald.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/
January 12, 2009
Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers LaMarr Woodley (56) and James Harrison celebrate a stop on San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the third quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, in Pittsburgh.(AP)
PITTSBURGH -- Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley couldn't help it. He really wanted to watch.
So with his body turned away from the line of scrimmage during a TV timeout in the fourth quarter Sunday, Woodley tilted his head back to watch as a highlight reel of the season's hardest hits played on the scoreboard at Heinz Field.
''I always look forward to that,'' said Woodley, as if he enjoyed the musical montage as much as any other fan. "You see some big-time hits on there!''
As a result of the Steelers' latest dominating performance -- a 35-24 victory against the San Diego Chargers in an AFC divisional playoff -- the team's video department will have plenty of more highlights to add in time for next week's AFC Championship Game.
Don't forget about Woodley's two bone-crushing sacks. Then again, don't forget about the other tough plays that turned this game into a trademark victory by the Steelers.
''We played our kind of football,'' Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said.
Yes, they did. On offense, defense and even special teams.
The performance, which was led by running back Willie Parker's 146 yards on 27 carries, sets up a blue-collar championship game between the Steelers and rival Ravens in Pittsburgh next Sunday. The winner plays in Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.
The Steelers defeated the Ravens in each of their two meetings this season.
''We have a tough, tough, tough team coming in here,'' defense end Brett Keisel said. "They know us, we know them. It's going to be a big challenge, but we're one step away.''
The Ravens couldn't have liked what they saw from the Steelers on Sunday. Aside from a hot start by San Diego (quarterback Philip Rivers threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson on the fourth play of the game), Pittsburgh was suffocating.
It started soon after that initial touchdown.
PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 11: Willie Parker #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers hugs former Steeler running back Jerome Bettis after the Steelers won 35-24 against the San Diego Chargers during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 11, 2009 at Heinz Field. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)When the Chargers were forced into a three-and-out on their next possession, wide receiver Santonio Holmes returned a punt 53 yards for a touchdown by breaking one tackle, outrunning another defender and finally hurdling the only player who stood between him and the Steelers' first points of the game.
''The field was kind of sloppy, so I knew their guys weren't going to be able to stop and cut and make the tackle like they're supposed to,'' Holmes said. "It just opened up for me.''
Soon after, it also opened up for the rest of the team, specifically in a strange third quarter in which any chance for a Chargers comeback was eliminated.
Pittsburgh opened the second half with an eight-minute touchdown drive -- only to see San Diego running back Darren Sproles return the ensuing kick 63 yards. On the next play, though, linebacker Larry Foote intercepted a defected pass thrown by Rivers.
When the Steelers punted after another eight-play drive, the ball bounced off the helmet of Chargers safety Eric Weddle, resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Pittsburgh.
By the time the quarter ended, San Diego's offense had the ball for 17 seconds, wearing down its defense while allowing Pittsburgh to go to the ground.
''It was such a weird third quarter,'' Rivers said. "It had a huge impact on the game. But those crazy plays aren't the only reason we didn't come out on top. Pittsburgh is a heck of a team.''
Rivers had a solid performance, going 21 of 35 for 308 yards and three touchdowns. But he found out the hard way why the Steelers could become the favorite to win the Super Bowl.
Near the start of the fourth quarter, just two minutes before that video montage played on the scoreboard, Woodley wrapped up Rivers in the backfield and slammed him to the ground for his second sack.
When Rivers stood up, he wobbled before catching his balance like a boxer who had been knocked to the mat. It provided the perfect moment to a game defined by one beating after another.
This, no doubt, was a knock out.
''He was doing a lot of trash talking,'' Woodley said. "Once that score went up a little bit, he quieted down. Now, he's got a long flight back to San Diego.''
No comments:
Post a Comment