The Steel Curtain

            The Pittsburgh Steelers are the 2008 AFC North Champions.  The Steelers pulled out a dramatic and hard fought victory, 13-9 over the rival Baltimore Ravens, after trailing for most of the game.  The Steelers record now stands at 11-3 as they clinched the division, a playoff berth, and a first round bye with the win.  The Steelers control their own destiny and can capture the number one seed in the AFC, if they win their final two games of the regular season.

            Sunday’s game, as expected, was dominated by both defenses of Pittsburgh and Baltimore.  The Steelers’ defense sacked quarterback, Joe Flacco, twice while forcing him to throw two interceptions.  It appeared at times that Flacco was intimidated by the Pittsburgh defense, and never looked in rhythm.  Whenever the Steelers needed a stop, their defense stepped up and kept them in the game.  Once again it was the defense of the Steelers that gave them the opportunity to win, another truly remarkable performance.

            The Steelers’ offense was unable to move the ball for the first three quarters.  The running game was ineffective.  Ben Roethlisberger was throwing incomplete passes and receivers were having trouble hanging onto balls.  Then, trailing 9-6 late in the fourth quarter, Ben Roethlisberger would take over the game.  Roethlisberger orchestrated a 92-yard game-winning drive that was capped off with a 4-yard touchdown grab by Santonio Holmes, which gave the Steelers the division crown.

By Michael C. Smith

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