Stakes raised by Tomlin, and Steelers cash in

By John Harris, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Monday, December 6, 2010

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger talks with head coach Mike Tomlin before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)


BALTIMORE -- The booming voice was unmistakable. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wanted to personally deliver a message to his players last Wednesday before the first practice of the week.

"Outside!" Tomlin shouted upon entering the locker room.

Translation: "I don't care how cold it is, we're not practicing indoors.''

Tomlin raised the significance of Sunday night's critical AFC North battle against Baltimore to new heights. Since losing to New England last month, Tomlin made the Steelers practice in full pads on Wednesdays. No one could remember the last time that occurred, but it certainly wasn't this season.

Tomlin didn't stop there. A year ago, the Steelers practiced inside during inclement weather. This year, only a blizzard will prevent the Steelers from practicing outdoors.

In all honesty, nothing could have prepared the Steelers for what they encountered last night. As a result, nothing will feel any sweeter than the Steelers' 13-10 comeback win at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Steelers take pride in their defense. But there was nothing good about watching Baltimore drive 92 yards and take a 7-0 lead against the NFL's No. 5 defense. It was the longest drive by a Steelers opponent this season, made possible by a 61-yard strike from Joe Flacco to Anquan Boldin on third-and-15 from the Baltimore 3.

Baltimore's opening score resulted on the type of play that makes defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's cringe. For the second consecutive week, the Steelers pass rush failed and the opposing quarterback had too much time to pick out an open receiver.

Last week against Buffalo, a wide-open Steve Johnson dropped the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime against the Steelers. This week, Flacco received plenty of time to scan the field and drill a 14-yard touchdown pass to Boldin.

Baltimore continued to ring up big plays against the Steelers. Like most opponents, the Ravens couldn't run against the league's top-ranked rushing defense. But why run when you can pass?

Flacco dialed up Donte' Stallworth for a 67-yard bomb in the second quarter. Left cornerback Bryant McFadden made an inside move toward the tight end when he suddenly realized the ball was coming to his side of the field. Luckily, the Steelers finally discovered a pass rush when cornerback Ike Taylor blitzed and sacked Flacco for an 11-yard loss, forcing a punt.

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Donte' Stallworth #18 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackeled behind the line of scrimmage by linebacker LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

By the same token, that same defense set up the winning touchdown when blitzing safety Troy Polamalu forced a Flacco fumble and linebacker LaMarr Woodley returned the fumble to the Baltimore 9. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit running back Isaac Redman with the game-winning touchdown pass as the Steelers took over first place in the division.

The Steelers won despite the offense failing to score in the first half for the first time all season. Roethlisberger, playing gamely on a sprained right foot, tried to work the ball downfield. He paid for it when Baltimore cornerback Josh Wilson intercepted an ill-advised, second-quarter pass intended for rookie Antonio Brown that was thrown into double coverage.

Regrouping at halftime, the Steelers smartly mixed the run with short and intermediate passes before their first drive in the third quarter fizzled out at the Baltimore 27. Shaun Suisham's 45-yard field goal made it 7-3 at the 10:54 mark.

Trailing 10-3, the Steelers offense needed to prove it could move the ball consistently against a good defense when it mattered. Garbage points in the fourth quarter against New England don't count.

We know the Steelers can move the ball against the likes of Oakland and Cincinnati. To win against Baltimore, the Steelers were going to have to score at least one touchdown against a good defense.

They did it last night at the most opportune time. The late-game heroics made Tomlin's recent practice edict seem like a stroke of genius.