Practice English Speaking&Listening with: Steelers vs. Colts: Big Ben Upsets Peyton Manning | 2005 AFC Divisional Playoffs | NFL Full Game
>> RIGHT ON CUE, THIS CROWD ON
15 MINUTES, CHEERING THEIR
BELOVED COLTS.
THAT'S IKE TAYLOR.
HE WILL TAKE THE RETURN DUTIES
TODAY, AS QUINCY MORGAN
FRACTURED A LEG IN LAST WEEK'S
VICTORY AGAINST CINCINNATI.
TAYLOR, A RAJIN' CAJUN FROM
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE WAITS, AND
THAT SPINNER COMES DOWN AT THE
1.
TAYLOR, THE CORNERBACK, FAKES
THE REVERSE, AND HE'S HIT AT THE
16-YARD LINE.
WHAT A TACKLE.
DARRELL REID, WHO'S BECOME THE
WEDGE BREAKER FOR THE COLTS.
ROETHLISBERGER HIT, THROWS, AND
INCOMPLETE, THROUGH THE HANDS OF
ANTWAAN RANDLE EL.
FREENEY COMES OUT.
HE MADE HIS PRESENCE FELT ON THE
INITIAL PLAY.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
THAT'S HARPER PLAYING ON THE
LEFT CORNER.
HAND-OFF INSIDE.
NO, THE FAKE AND A LONG THROW IS
COMPLETE TO HEATH MILLER.
AND THE TIGHT END IS IN TO
INDIANAPOLIS TERRITORY AT THE
47-YARD LINE.
BEAUTIFUL THROW, DAN.
>> WELL, THE STEELERS TOLD US
THAT THEY WERE GONNA PUT THIS
GAME MORE INTO THE HANDS OF
BEN ROETHLISBERGER, AND, AS YOU
CAN SEE, PASSES ON THE VERY
FIRST TWO PLAYS OF THE GAME.
AND THERE'S A LITTLE BIT FOR THE
COLTS -- BURNED BY PLAY-ACTION.
NO OFFENSE THROWS MORE
PLAY-ACTION IN THIS LEAGUE THAN
THE COLTS OFFENSE.
AND NOW IT'S THE STEELERS' TURN,
AND YOU SEE MIKE DOSS GETS
CAUGHT WAY UP INSIDE, AND THE
ROOKIE BURNS HIM.
>> MILLER, THE NUMBER-ONE DRAFT
PICK OUT OF VIRGINIA, WHO CAUGHT
39 PASSES ON THE SEASON.
AND THEY LOVE HIS BLOCKING.
PARKER'S FIRST CARRY.
KNIFES HIS WAY TO THE 45-YARD
LINE, AND RAHEEM BROCK AND
COMPANY WITH THE TACKLE.
COWHER IN HIS 14th SEASON, THE
LONGEST-TENURED COACH IN THE
LEAGUE.
HIS ROAD RECORD IN PLAYOFF GAMES
1-3, BUT WE SHOULD POINT OUT IN
THE LAST TWO SEASONS, THE
STEELERS HAVE LOST ONLY 3 TIMES
IN 17 GAMES ON THE ROAD.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
UNDER THE DIN OF THE RCA DOME,
SECOND AND 8.
ROETHLISBERGER OVER THE MIDDLE.
FINDS MILER AGAIN, AND THE
TIGHT END IS INSIDE THE 30-YARD
LINE!
TWO BIG CATCHES BY MILLER, AND
THE STEELERS HAVE MARCHED DEEP.
>> AND AGAIN I THINK THAT THE
STEELERS HAVE CAUGHT THE COLTS A
LITTLE BIT OFF GUARD BY COMING
OUT AND PUTTING THE BALL IN
ROETHLISBERGER'S HANDS.
WATCH BEN.
HE BUYS HIMSELF A LITTLE EXTRA
TIME.
IT ALLOWS MILLER TO GET OPEN
OVER THE MIDDLE.
AND LOOK AT THAT HOLE IN THE
COLTS' ZONE.
NOW, THERE IS A SOFT SPOT IN
THERE, BUT THAT WAS GAPING.
>> MOBILITY OF ROETHLISBERGER
SETTING UP THAT 18-YARD GAIN.
BACK TO PARKER.
HIT IN THE BACKFIELD AND BROUGHT
DOWN BY DAVID THORNTON.
THERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF HOW FAST
THIS 11-MAN DEFENSE IS FOR THE
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS.
>> WELL, WILLIE PARKER DOESN'T
HAVE MUCH OF A CHANCE WHEN THE
TACKLES ARE BEING MADE IN THE
BACKFIELD.
WILLIE NEVER EVEN GETS BACK TO
THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.
HE TRIES TO CUT OUTSIDE.
>> THORNTON, A DRUM MAJOR IN HIS
HIGH SCHOOL BAND.
BARELY MADE IT THROUGH THE RANKS
AT NORTH CAROLINA.
FINALLY STARTED AS A SENIOR.
SECOND DOWN, 11.
"BIG BEN" TO THE SIDELINE,
COMPLETE.
HINES WARD, THE OUTSTANDING AND
CO-MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AGAIN
THIS YEAR, ALONG WITH HIS
NOSE TACKLE HAMPTON.
AND HE'S SO RELIABLE.
>> AND I THINK RIGHT OFF THE BAT
WE'RE SEEING THIS AS A TOTALLY
DIFFERENT BEN ROETHLISBERGER
THAN WAS HERE ON THAT
MONDAY-NIGHT GAME IN NOVEMBER.
HE HAD MISSED THE PRIOR THREE
WEEKS.
HE HAD KNEE SURGERY.
HE SAID, "HEY, I TOOK IT WAY TOO
EASY.
I WAS AFRAID TO PUSH MYSELF."
THIS IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
NUMBER 7 FOR PITTSBURGH TODAY.
>> THIRD AND 6.
THE STEELERS WERE NOT VERY GOOD
ON THIRD DOWNS THIS YEAR -- NEXT
TO LAST IN CONVERSIONS.
THE BEARS WERE LAST.
THIRD AND 6.
THE THROW.
COMPLETE, INSIDE THE 15 AND
ANOTHER FIRST DOWN.
ANTWAAN RANDLE EL, WHO PLAYED AT
NEARBY INDIANA UNIVERSITY DOWN
IN BLOOMINGTON, HAS HIS FIRST
CATCH.
>> AND AGAIN THE STEELERS
EXPLOITING THE INTERMEDIATE
HOLES IN THE ZONE HERE AGAINST
THIS COLTS DEFENSE.
WIDE RECEIVERS, TIGHT ENDS, THEY
ARE ALL FINDING A LOT OF ROOM
ABOUT 10, 15 YARDS DOWNFIELD.
>> RON MEEKS, THE
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR -- THIS IS
THE WAY THE COLTS PLAY FOOTBALL.
THEY GIVE UP A LOT OF
COMPLETIONS.
BUT, BOY, THAT'S WAY TOO MUCH
ROOM.
>> STEELERS, A TEAM THAT RAN
THE FOOTBALL MORE THAN ANYONE IN
THE LEAGUE -- 59% -- BUT
THEY'RE THROWING TODAY.
ANOTHER PASS, THE SCREEN TO
PARKER, AND HE'S DUMPED BY
THORNTON AGAIN.
SO, WHEN BILL COWHER RAISED AN
EYEBROW WITH US YESTERDAY AND
SAID, "WE HAVE A DIFFERENT GAME
PLAN THIS TIME."
>> WELL, HE SAID, "WE MAY HAVE
TO" -- WHAT A LOT OF TEAMS DO.
THEY MAY HAVE TO THROW THE BALL
TO RUN THE BALL.
TWICE IN THE LAST THREE TRIPS
LAST WEEK IN CINCINNATI,
PITTSBURGH GOT IT DONE.
>> SECOND DOWN AND 10.
AND JEROME BETTIS MAKES HIS
FIRST APPEARANCE, THE 13-YEAR
VETERAN FROM NOTRE DAME, THE
NUMBER-5 RUSHER ALL TIME.
AND HE GETS THE CALL.
BETTIS AT THE 10 AND DOWN TO THE
5-YARD LINE, AS THE BIG MAN GOT
UP TO A FULL HEAD OF STEAM.
>> AND BOB SANDERS, THE ALL-PRO
FREE SAFETY, IS THE GUY THAT HAS
TO COME UP, AND HE GOES LOW ON
JEROME BETTIS.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
BETTIS AGAIN STILL SHOWING THE
QUICK FEET, THE ABILITY TO
BURST.
HERE COMES SANDERS.
YOU SEE AND HITS HIM RIGHT ON
THE KNEES.
BOB SANDERS, HE IS -- LAST YEAR
TONY DUNGY CALLED HIM THE
"UNGUIDED MISSILE."
WELL, HE GUIDED HIMSELF RIGHT TO
HAWAII, A PRO BOWL SLOT, AND
FIRST-TEAM ALL-PRO THIS YEAR.
>> THIRD DOWN, A SHORT 3.
ROETHLISBERGER OVER THE MIDDLE.
TOUCHDOWN!
AND WIDE OPEN WAS RANDLE EL.
AND WHAT AN OPENING DRIVE BY THE
PITTSBURGH STEELERS.
ON THE ARM OF
BIG BEN ROETHLISBERGER,
PITTSBURGH MARCHES CONVINCINGLY
FOR THE OPENING SCORE.
>> WELL, BIG BEN WENT TO
RANDLE EL THE FIRST PLAY OF THE
GAME.
WASN'T ABLE TO GET A COMPLETION.
THERE HE IS, JUST OFF THE LEFT
TACKLE, THE INSIDE OF THE THREE
RECEIVERS.
AND AGAIN LOOK AT THE SIZE OF
THE OPENING IN THE COLTS
SECONDARY.
ROETHLISBERGER HAD HIS PICK.
HE CHOSE RANDLE EL, AND THAT WAS
AN EASY TOUCHDOWN AND A GOOD
CATCH BY RANDLE EL ON A BALL
THAT WAS A LITTLE BEHIND HIM.
>> EXTRA-POINT TRY BY JEFF REED
TO COMPLETE THIS 84-YARD OPENING
DRIVE.
10 PLAYS, 7 POINTS.
AND IT WAS ROETHLISBERGER
6-FOR-7.
HARDLY KNOW HE WAS 23 THE WAY HE
DIRECTED THAT OPENING DRIVE.
HOW WELL-SCRIPTED THAT WAS --
ONLY ONE INCOMPLETE PASS, HIS
FIRST, AND THE TOUCHDOWN TO
RANDLE EL.
BY THE WAY, HIS FIRST SCORING
GRAB SINCE GAME 1 OF THE SEASON.
JEFF REED HAS IT TEED UP, AND
THE COLTS WILL GET THEIR CHANCE,
AS DOMINIC RHODES IS DEEP, AT
THE 1.
AND RHODES SURROUNDED.
JUST DOES GET TO THE 20-YARD
LINE.
PEYTON MANNING AND THE COLTS'
HIGH-POWERED OFFENSE ON THE
FIELD.
THAT NO-HUDDLE OFFENSE WILL BE
IN FULL GEAR TODAY.
THE STRETCH PLAY TO
EDGERRIN JAMES, AND JAMES
BUMPED OUT OF BOUNDS AFTER A
GAIN OF A COUPLE.
SECOND DOWN AND 8.
THAT CONTRAST SUDDENLY VERY
QUIET, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A FEW
STEELER FANS HERE.
FIRST PASS FROM MANNING.
THROWING FOR HARRISON AND
INCOMPLETE.
SO, A THIRD AND LONG FOR
MANNING.
THE COLTS HAVE THE BEST SUCCESS
ON THIRD DOWN OF ANY NFL TEAM,
49% SUCCESS.
>> STEELERS, ONLY 2 DOWN
LINEMEN.
>> AND POLAMALU RIGHT OVER THE
CENTER.
MANNING.
INCOMPLETE, NO FLAG.
GOOD DEFENSE BY CHRIS HOPE, THE
SAFETY MAN, ABLE TO REACH IN AND
BAT IT AWAY.
>> BOY, OUTSTANDING COVERAGE.
YOU COULD SEE PEYTON MANNING HAD
PLENTY OF TIME TO SET UP.
HE HAD A GOOD VIEW DOWNFIELD.
THREW A LASER, BUT CHRIS HOPE
WAS JUST TOO CLOSE.
THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A JAM ON
MARVIN, BUT LOOK AT THAT.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT?
HOPE DID GET THERE A LITTLE
EARLY.
THAT WAS ONE OF THOSE THINGS.
HE TIMED IT AND GOT AWAY WITH
IT.
DICK LeBEAU, THE 68-YEAR-OLD
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR OF THE
STEELERS.
>> AND THE PUNT BY HUNTER SMITH.
ANTWAAN RANDLE EL, THE ONLY
PLAYER WITH 2 PUNT-RETURN
TOUCHDOWNS THIS YEAR.
AND HE VAULTS AHEAD TO THE
44-YARD LINE.
PLAY-ACTION.
AND WIDE OPEN AGAIN.
THIS TIME IT'S JERAME TUMAN, THE
OTHER TIGHT END, AND HE HAS A
FIRST DOWN AT THE 36-YARD LINE.
IT SHOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE THAT
ROETHLISBERGER HAS BEEN VERY
SUCCESSFUL.
>> WE JUST SAW A BEAUTIFUL PASS
AGAIN BY ROETHLISBERGER.
>> TO TUMAN.
THAT WAS GOOD FOR 19 YARDS.
AND UNABLE TO RUN AS JUNE,
CATO JUNE, TACKLES
WILLIE PARKER.
WE SAID THERE WAS NO SURPRISE.
ROETHLISBERGER, HE GETS HIS
WAKE-UP CALL EARLY.
LOOK AT HIS RECORD ON THE SEASON
IN THE FIRST QUARTER, COMPARED
TO THE REST OF THE GAME.
>> WELL, THE BIG ONE THERE IN
THE MIDDLE, THE 0 INTERCEPTIONS
VERSUS 9 THE REST OF THE GAME.
A LOT OF IT IS FOLLOWING THE
SCRIPT.
THERE'S A COMFORT ZONE THERE.
BUT, AGAIN, LOOK AT THE WAY BEN
HAS STARTED THIS GAME.
THE ONLY INCOMPLETION SHOULD
HAVE BEEN CAUGHT BY RANDLE EL.
EVERY OTHER PASS HAS BEEN
PERFECT.
>> PARKER LOST A YARD ON FIRST
DOWN.
BACK TO THE AIR.
PUMP FAKE AND HE'S HIT, AND THE
BALL IS INTERCEPTED!
FREENEY MADE THE HIT, AND THE
COLTS GET THE FIRST TURNOVER!
CATO JUNE THE MAN ON THE SPOT
WITH THE INTERCEPTION.
>> WELL, THAT'S CATO JUNE'S
SIXTH INTERCEPTION.
HE HAD 5 DURING THE REGULAR
SEASON.
BEN JUST STAYED IN THE POCKET
WAY TOO LONG.
YOU GOT TO GET RID OF IT BEFORE
THAT.
>> DWIGHT FREENEY, CONSIDERED
UNDERSIZED BY MANY, ONLY 6'1",
DEFENSIVE END.
HE CALLS HIMSELF A "WILDFLOWER
IN A FIELD OF DAISIES."
AND IT WAS NO POSY HIT HE PUT
ON BEN ROETHLISBERGER THAT
FORCED THAT BALL FREE, AND
CATO JUNE WITH THE INTERCEPTION
AT THE 35.
FAKE TO EDGERRIN JAMES.
MANNING STEPS UP AND THROWS.
INCOMPLETE.
OVER REGGIE WAYNE'S HEAD ON THE
SIDELINES.
>> WHAT A GREAT MOVE BY
DWIGHT FREENEY.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
GOING AGAINST MARVEL SMITH.
HE SEES THERE'S A BLOCKER
UPFIELD.
HE DOES HIS SPIN BACK TO THE
INSIDE.
ROETHLISBERGER -- NOW RIGHT
THERE BEN LOOKS LIKE HE'S
GETTING READY TO DELIVER THE
BALL.
HE CAN'T FIND ANYBODY.
AND THEN DWIGHT FREENEY'S HUSTLE
AND GOOD SPIN MOVE CAUSES THIS
INTERCEPTION.
AND CATO JUNE -- TALK ABOUT JUST
STANDING IN THE PROPER PLACE.
THAT BALL JUST FLOATED RIGHT TO
HIM.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
>> JAMES.
TOUGH RUNNING INSIDE.
GETS ABOUT 3.
AARON SMITH THE TACKLER.
>> AND RIGHT NOW THIS OFFENSE OF
THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS NEEDS TO
DO THEIR DEFENSE A LITTLE FAVOR.
YEAH, THEY JUST GOT THAT
INTERCEPTION.
BUT THEY NEED SOME FIRST DOWNS
HERE, BOTH FOR THEIR OWN
CONFIDENCE.
AND LET THAT DEFENSE GATHER
ITSELF A LITTLE BIT OVER THERE.
TOM MOORE, THE OFFENSIVE
COORDINATOR -- YOU KNOW THAT
THEY'RE LOOKING AT PUTTING
TOGETHER A STEADY DRIVE HERE.
LET YOUR DEFENDERS CATCH THEIR
BREATH.
>> ANOTHER THIRD AND LONG FOR
MANNING.
LOOKING FOR HIS FIRST
COMPLETION.
BRINGS BRANDON STOKLEY IN
MOTION.
THROWS LONG DOWN THE MIDDLE.
NO ONE THERE.
SO, THREE-AND-OUT ON THE FIRST
TWO POSSESSIONS FOR THE COLTS.
>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
WE TALKED ABOUT AT THE TOP OF
THE SHOW WAS "BACK IN THE
SADDLE."
AND CLEARLY THE COLTS OFFENSE IS
NOT BACK INTO THE SADDLE YET.
WELL, MUCH ADO MADE ABOUT THE
FACT THAT THEY HAVEN'T PLAYED A
MEANINGFUL FOOTBALL GAME IN A
MONTH, AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN SO
FAR OFFENSIVELY BEARS THAT OUT.
THEY'VE GOT SOME RUST, AND THEY
HAVEN'T SHAKEN IT YET.
>> HUNTER SMITH, NUMBER FIVE IN
THE LEAGUE IN PUNTING AVERAGE,
TO ANTWAAN RANDLE EL AT THE 9.
GOOD TWISTING MOVE.
OOH, JUST TRIPPED UP AS HE
CROSSED THE 20-YARD LINE, BUT A
FLAG IS DOWN DEEP IN STEELER
TERRITORY.
>> THIS IS, I BELIEVE, GONNA BE
A PENALTY AGAINST THE COLTS.
AND BILL COWHER, I WOULD ASSUME,
WOULD LIKE THEM TO KICK IT
AGAIN.
>> ...KICKING TEAM WAS OUT OF
BOUNDS ON HIS OWN.
5-YARD PENALTY FROM THE END OF
THE RUN.
FIRST DOWN, PITTSBURGH.
>> YEAH, YOU DON'T GET THE
CHOICE ON THAT ONE WHEN HE GOES
OUT OF BOUNDS COVERING THE KICK.
>> TOSS TO PARKER ON THE SWEEP.
HAS A BLOCKER.
AND TWISTED DOWN AS HE HITS THE
37 BY NICK HARPER.
>> WHEN WILLIE PARKER MAKES THAT
TURN UPFIELD, HE DOES IT FASTER
THAN MOST GUYS IN THIS LEAGUE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 4.28 SPEED.
AND EVERY TIME WILLIE PARKER
TOUCHES THE FOOTBALL, HE IS A
GUY THAT CAN TAKE IT ALL THE WAY
TO THE END ZONE.
HE HAS JUST GOT THAT -- HE IS
THE ANTI-BUS.
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
>> HE'S THE MASERATI.
SECOND AND 1.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
INSIDE TO KREIDER, THE FULLBACK,
WHO GETS A RARE CARRY.
HAD ONLY 3 ALL SEASON.
IT'S ENOUGH FOR A FIRST DOWN.
>> WELL, HE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO
STOP RUNNING.
[ CHUCKLES ]
WHEN YOU ONLY GET A COUPLE
CARRIES, YOU WANT TO MAKE THE
MOST OF IT.
OKAY, THEY TACKLE YOU.
GET BACK UP AND START RUNNING
AGAIN.
>> KREIDER, WHO PLAYED HIS
COLLEGE BALL AT NEW HAMPSHIRE.
HE WAS A BLOCKER FOR
JERRY AZUMAH, IN UNIFORM WITH
THE BEARS IN GAME 2 TODAY.
>> THAT FOOTBALL FACTORY.
>> YOUR FAVORITE.
>> DON'T THROW THAT AT ME.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
SIX FIRST DOWNS TO ZERO TO START
THE GAME.
111 YARDS, PITTSBURGH.
5 FOR INDY.
NOTHING FOR PARKER THIS TIME, AS
RAHEEM BROCK WAS THERE TO
STONEWALL THE BALLCARRIER.
>> WELL, DWIGHT FREENEY IS NOT
THE ONLY GOOD DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
THAT PLAYS FOR THE COLTS.
YOU SEE RIGHT THERE --
DAVID THORNTON.
A GOOD LOOK COMING UP THERE
UNDERNEATH WAS MONTAE REAGOR.
THERE IS LARRY TRIPPLETT,
COREY SIMON, ROBERT MATHIS,
BROCK.
THIS TEAM IS AWASH IN QUALITY
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
>> OTHER THAN THE ONE 9-YARD RUN
BY PARKER, THE COLTS HAVE
STUFFED THE RUNNING GAME BUT
HAVE REALLY BEEN OPEN TO THE
PASSING OF ROETHLISBERGER.
WHO GETS THIS ONE WOBBLED AWAY
AS HE WAS HIT.
IT WAS ROBERT MATHIS, WHO LED
THE COLTS IN SACKS THIS YEAR
WITH 11 1/2 THAT GOT HIS ARM.
>> WHAT A JOB BY MATHIS, DICK.
HE GOES UPFIELD, IS BLOCKED, AND
THEN HE FALLS IN SIDEWAYS,
THROWING ANY PART OF HIS BODY HE
CAN AT ROETHLISBERGER.
AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN
THERE, WATCH ROBERT MATHIS.
ALL RIGHT, NOW.
OKAY, JUST FALL ANY WAY.
THAT'S JUST OUTSTANDING HUSTLE.
AND LOOK WHAT HE DID.
HE GOT IN THERE AND GOT JUST
ENOUGH OF HIS RIGHT HAND ON
BEN'S FOREARM TO CAUSE THAT
INCOMPLETION.
AND A LOT OF TIMES, THAT CAN
RESULT IN AN I-N-T.
>> THIRD AND 10.
VERRON HAYNES IN THE BACKFIELD
WITH ROETHLISBERGER.
DOWN THE MIDDLE, HINES WARD, AND
HE COULD GO ALL THE WAY NOW.
HAD TO PICK UP HIS SPEED, AND
SANDERS FINALLY GETS A PIECE OF
THE FACE MASK AND GETS ROARED
OUT OF BOUNDS AT THE 16.
>> WELL, ACTUALLY, WARD JAMMED
BOB SANDERS RIGHT IN THE FACE
MASK, AND DID HE HOLD ONTO IT?
YOU CAN STIFF-ARM A GUY, BUT YOU
CAN'T GRAB IT.
>> PERSONAL FOUL, FACE MASK,
NUMBER 21, THE DEFENSE.
HALF THE DISTANCE TO THE GOAL.
AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN.
>> AND, AGAIN, LOOK AT THIS
PERFECT PASS.
JUST DROPPED RIGHT IN THERE.
AND THEN IT'S A HIT BY HIS OWN
MAN THAT INJURES NICK HARPER.
MIKE DOSS, THE SAFETY, CAME IN.
HINES WARD ALL OF A SUDDEN FOUND
HIMSELF STANDING IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE FIELD ALL BY HIMSELF.
HERE COMES MIKE DOSS FROM THE
LEFT, AND HE MAKES CONTACT, AND,
BOY, DOES HE COLLAPSE THE LEFT
KNEE OF NICK HARPER.
OH, BOY, THAT REALLY WAS A
STRETCH.
>> JEROME BETTIS IN.
FIRST AND GOAL AT THE 8, AND
BETTIS DIGS HIS WAY FOR A
COUPLE.
GARY BRACKETT, THE
MIDDLE LINEBACKER, ONLY 5'10",
235 POUNDS IN THIS UNDERSIZED
COLTS DEFENSE, BUILT ON SPEED,
HITTING POWER, NOT SIZE, MADE
THE TACKLE.
BETTIS OUTWEIGHS HIM BY 30 OR
MORE.
>> AND RIGHT NOW PITTSBURGH ON
THE VERGE OF JUST WRITING THE
OPPOSITE OF THE SCRIPT THEY
FOLLOWED IN LATE NOVEMBER, WHERE
THEY FELL BEHIND EARLY AND HAD
TO PLAY CATCHUP.
THEY'RE TRYING TO FORCE THE
COLTS RIGHT HERE INTO A BIG
DEFICIT.
>> SECOND AND GOAL.
FAKE.
ROETHLISBERGER THROWS.
TOUCHDOWN!
IT'S HEATH MILLER, THE ROOKIE
TIGHT END, AND THE STEELERS HAVE
SCORED AGAIN.
>> AND I'LL TELL YOU THIS.
THE NOISE LEVEL BEFORE THAT
TOUCHDOWN PASS WAS MAYBE HALF OF
WHAT IT WAS EARLIER.
THAT'S HOW MUCH HAD ALREADY BEEN
TAKEN OUT OF THE CROWD.
THIS IS REALLY GONNA TAKE THE
CROWD OUT OF THE GAME.
AGAIN, A SOFT SPOT IN THE
MIDDLE.
WORKING AGAINST MARLIN JACKSON,
WHEN JACKSON TURNS HIM LOOSE.
THEY'RE PLAYING A ZONE IN THE
END ZONE.
MIKE DOSS DOES NOT GET OVER IN
TIME, AND RIGHT NOW, TONY DUNGY
HAS TO BE AGHAST AT WHAT'S
HAPPENING TO HIS DEFENSE.
ROETHLISBERGER AND THE PASSING
GAME OF THE STEELERS IS
SHREDDING IT.
>> JEFF REED'S EXTRA POINT.
AND THE PASSING GAME RACKING UP
THE YARDS -- 72 YARDS IN
7 PLAYS.
THE 7-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO MILLER
GIVING THE STEELERS A 14-0 LEAD.
LAST 6 PLAYOFF GAMES, 3 WINS.
THE COLTS DOMINATING EARLY IN
THE FIRST HALF BUT IN THE LOSSES
OUTSCORED 45-3.
REED REALLY PUMPS THIS ONE, AND
RHODES WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE
TOUCHBACK.
>> 0-FOR-4. HMM.
>> WHILE HIS OPPONENT,
BEN ROETHLISBERGER, 147 YARDS
PASSING, 0 FOR MANNING.
AND DOWN HE GOES AT THE 11-YARD
LINE.
THE FIRST SACK GOES TO
KIMO VON OELHOFFEN.
VON OELHOFFEN INVOLVED OF COURSE
IN THAT TRAGIC TACKLE OF
CARSON PALMER LAST WEEK THAT
SENT PALMER TO THE SURGERY ROOM.
>> WELL, VON OELHOFFEN IS
NUMBER 67.
HE JUST GETS TO THE INSIDE OF
TARIK GLENN, THE LEFT TACKLE.
THE GUARD CAME OUT ON THE PLAY,
AND THERE'S A HUGE SOFT SPOT
INSIDE.
AND GLENN JUST NOT ABLE TO DRIVE
VON OELHOFFEN FAR ENOUGH AND
AWAY FROM MANNING.
>> THE VETERAN VON OELHOFFEN
FROM MOLOKAI, HAWAII.
DIDN'T HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL TEAM.
>> THAT NUMBER THERE -- 166 TO
MINUS-3.
THAT DEFIES DESCRIPTION.
>> SECOND DOWN AND 18.
ONE-HANDED CATCH BY HARRISON,
AND HE TAKES IT OUT OF BOUNDS AT
THE 36-YARD LINE.
A BRILLIANT PLAY BY THE ALL-PRO
RECEIVER.
>> WELL, MARVIN HARRISON COMING
ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE FIELD.
HE STARTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE.
COMES ALL THE WAY ACROSS TO THE
LEFT.
HAS IT BOUNCE OFF HIS RIGHT
FOREARM.
NEVER EVEN MAKES AN ATTEMPT TO
GRAB THE BALL WITH HIS LEFT
HAND.
HE FINALLY MAKES A PASS AT IT.
WOW, THAT'S SPECIAL.
>> FIRST COMPLETION AND THE
FIRST DOWN, AND THEN
EDGERRIN JAMES.
BROUGHT DOWN BY LARRY FOOTE AT
THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.
>> WELL, THAT'S THE THIRD TIME
THE COLTS HAVE TRIED THE LEFT
SIDE OF THE STEELER DEFENSE, AND
THEY HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING.
>> TROY POLAMALU IN THE THICK OF
EVERYTHING.
EVERYONE WONDERS ABOUT THE HAIR,
AS WE DID.
WE ASKED HIM, "WHEN'S THE LAST
TIME A HAIRCUT?"
HE SAID, "USC, A TRIM."
>> SAID A COACH ASKED HIM TO DO
IT.
WE SAID, "IF A COACH ASKED YOU
NOW, WOULD YOU DO IT?"
HE GOES, "NO."
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
"I'M A GROWN-UP NOW."
>> "MY WIFE? YES."
[ WHISTLE BLOWS ]
WAS HE DRAWN OFFSIDE?
>> FALSE START, NUMBER 78,
OFFENSE.
5-YARD PENALTY -- REMAINS SECOND
DOWN.
>> TARIK GLENN, THE LEFT TACKLE.
>> TARIK GLENN, THE PLAYER THAT
JUST GOT BEAT, ON THE FAR RIGHT
OF YOUR SCREEN.
PEYTON'S MAKING CALLS.
WOW.
THAT IS THE MOST SUBTLE -- THAT
IS THE MOST SUBTLE OF DROPPING
YOUR HIPS.
HOWARD MUDD, THE OFFENSIVE LINE
COACH -- YOU DON'T LIKE FALSE
STARTS WHEN YOU'RE THE HOME
TEAM.
YOUR PLAYERS CAN HEAR THE
QUARTERBACK CLEARLY.
THERE'S REALLY NO EXCUSE FOR IT.
AND AS YOU CAN SEE, OFFENSIVE
TACKLES DON'T GET MUCH OF A
BREAK.
>> THE STEELERS, WHO WERE
TICKETED WITH 5 FALSE STARTS
BACK IN NOVEMBER, HAVE NOT
COMMITTED ONE TODAY.
HERE COMES THE PRESSURE, AND
MANNING IS SLUGGED FROM BEHIND
BY JAMES FARRIOR.
I MEAN THAT IN THE MOST POSITIVE
OF WAYS.
HE HAD A CLEAN HIT ON THE
QUARTERBACK.
COULDN'T SEE HIM.
>> WELL, IT'S ALL ABOUT
PRESSURE.
PEYTON MANNING, LIKE ANY OTHER
QUARTERBACK, IS JUST HUMAN WHEN
HE'S UNDER PRESSURE.
THERE'S NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT
HIM WHEN HE'S TRYING TO DODGE
PEOPLE THAT ARE IN HIS FACE.
HE MIGHT BE THE HIGHEST-RATED
QUARTERBACK IN THE LEAGUE, BUT
HE'S JUST ANOTHER GUY WHEN HE'S
ON THE GROUND.
AND BIG BEN IS INTO IT.
>> THIRD DOWN AND 24.
MANNING DOESN'T SEE MANY OF
THOSE.
TO REGGIE WAYNE ON THE FLANKER
SCREEN.
FLAG DOWN, AND WAYNE IS, AS
WELL, AT THE 35, WELL SHORT OF
THE FIRST DOWN.
TYRONE CARTER SEEING MORE AND
MORE DUTY IN THE STEELER
SECONDARY AS THE SEASON
DEVELOPED, MADE THE TACKLE.
>> INELIGIBLE MAN DOWNFIELD,
NUMBER 73 OF THE OFFENSE.
PENALTY IS DECLINED.
FOURTH DOWN.
>> AND THE STEELERS WILL GET THE
BALL ON FOURTH AND 12.
>> AND TONY DUNGY'S TEAMS JUST
DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MISTAKES.
AND THEY DO HAVE A PLAYOFF
HISTORY, AND IT'S NOT A GOOD ONE
WHEN THEY DON'T SCORE IN THE
FIRST QUARTER.
BUT TONY'S TEAMS TRADITIONALLY
JUST DON'T MAKE MISTAKES.
THEY DON'T BEAT THEMSELVES.
AND THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC START
FOR THE COLTS HERE IN THE FIRST
QUARTER OFFENSIVELY.
DEFENSIVELY, THEY'RE NOT DOING
ANY BETTER, EITHER.
>> AND THE PUNTER, HUNTER SMITH,
MIGHT NOT PUNT AN AVERAGE OF
3 TIMES A GAME.
THIS IS THE THIRD IN THE OPENING
QUARTER.
BEAUTIFUL HIT.
ANTWAAN RANDLE EL CHECKS THE
ONCOMING COLTS AND DOESN'T HAVE
A CHANCE, DOWN AT THE 18.
FIRST THERE WAS KELVIN HAYDEN,
THE ROOKIE FROM ILLINOIS.
IT WAS A VERY CONFIDENT GROUP OF
STEELERS THAT ARRIVED HERE IN
INDIANAPOLIS YESTERDAY
AFTERNOON.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT.
YOU'RE RIGHT, DICK.
THEY WERE.
>> YOU COULD SEE IT IN EVERY
FACE, COULDN'T YOU?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
>> THEY START FROM THE 19 WITH A
14-0 LEAD HERE IN THE OPENING
QUARTER.
AND ROETHLISBERGER ESCAPES THE
RUSH FOR A MOMENT.
DOWN HE GOES AT THE 9!
LARRY TRIPPLETT FINALLY FINISHED
THE DEAL.
>> WELL, MAYBE SOMETHING LIKE
THIS CAN GET THE COLTS FIRED UP
A LITTLE BIT DEFENSIVELY, 'CAUSE
THAT WAS JUST GOOD, DISCIPLINED
RUSHING BY THE DEFENSIVE LINE.
>> ON SECOND AND 20,
ROETHLISBERGER THROWS, AND IT'S
HINES WARD AGAIN, CLOSE TO A
FIRST DOWN OUT AT THE 26-YARD
LINE.
THAT PASS ON SECOND AND 20.
ARMEN?
>> AN UPDATE ON LEFT CORNERBACK
NICK HARPER.
HE'S GONE INTO THE LOCKER ROOM
FOR FURTHER OBSERVATION AND
TREATMENT FOR THAT INJURY TO HIS
LEFT KNEE.
MARLIN JACKSON, A ROOKIE FROM
MICHIGAN, HAS REPLACED HIM,
DICK.
>> JACKSON, WHO WAS THE
NUMBER-ONE DRAFT PICK OF THE
COLTS THIS YEAR, THE
EX-WOLVERINE, NOW PLAYING ON
THAT LEFT CORNER.
SHOTGUN ON THIRD AND 3.
FIVE RECEIVERS.
ROETHLISBERGER HIT FROM BEHIND
AND THEN SHOVEL-PASSES
INCOMPLETE.
THROWING TO ANTWAAN RANDLE EL,
WHO THOUGHT HE WAS HELD.
DWIGHT FREENEY AGAIN HAD INVADED
THE BACKFIELD.
>> WELL, WHAT A SURPRISE --
NUMBER 93 GETTING IN ON THE
QUARTERBACK.
LOOK HOW FAR OUT HE IS.
HE'S SO WIDE, MARVEL SMITH, THE
LEFT TACKLE, DOESN'T EVEN SHOW
UP IN THE PICTURE.
OOH, THAT IS SERIOUS THERE.
HE WENT UNDER THE LEGS OF
RAHEEM BROCK, HIS TEAMMATE ON
THE OTHER SIDE.
WHAT SPEED.
MARVEL SMITH BARELY GOT A TOUCH
ON DWIGHT FREENEY BEFORE HE WAS
ON ROETHLISBERGER.
>> SO, CHRIS GARDOCKI PUNTS FOR
THE FIRST TIME.
IT WAS THE INITIAL STOPPAGE BY
THE DEFENSE OF THE COLTS.
THE OTHER TIME ON THE
INTERCEPTION.
LEFT-FOOTED BOOT SPINS DOWN TO
TROY WALTERS.
AND WALTERS, WITH A FLAG DOWN.
AND ANOTHER ONE.
AND EVERY INDICATION IS THAT
GREAT EFFORT WILL BE COMING
BACK.
HE MADE IT TO THE 50-YARD LINE,
BUT...
>> DURING THE RETURN, ILLEGAL
BLOCK IN THE BACK, NUMBER 94 ON
THE RECEIVING TEAM.
10-YARD PENALTY, FIRST DOWN.
>> MANNING READING THAT DEFENSE,
AS THEY SHOW BLITZ.
AND FIVE ARE COMING.
MANNING JUST ABLE TO GET IT
AWAY, AND HE WAS WELL-COVERED,
REGGIE WAYNE.
DESHEA TOWNSEND HAD POSITION.
>> AND YOU GOT PEYTON MANNING
SHAKING HIS HEAD.
HE CAN'T FIND HARDLY ANYBODY
THAT HE IS LOOKING FOR.
OUTSIDE OF THE ONE COMPLETION
THAT MARVIN HARRISON ONE-HANDED,
WE HAVE SEEN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
OUT OF THE COLTS' PASSING GAME.
>> WELL, THEY HAD, FIRST
QUARTER, 25 YARDS OF OFFENSE, 24
BY HARRISON.
>> ON THAT ONE CATCH.
>> AND HE HAD TO GO ONE-HANDED
TO GET THAT.
HOW TOUGH CAN IT GET?
BLITZ AGAIN.
AND MANNING DUMPED AS HE TRIED
TO FIND REGGIE WAYNE AND NOT
CLOSE.
>> HE'S MOTIONING TO WAYNE TO
COME BACK AND BREAK YOUR PATTERN
OFF A LITTLE SOONER, BUT
PEYTON MANNING IS JUST GETTING
OVERRUN.
THIS TIME PRESSURE COMING.
HE TAKES A HIT LATE.
BOY, HE BOUNCED HIS HEAD OFF THE
TURF.
KIMO VON OELHOFFEN.
BUT, AGAIN, PEYTON MANNING GOT
RID OF THE FOOTBALL, EXPECTING
REGGIE WAYNE TO RUN A DIFFERENT
PATTERN THAN HE DID.
>> THIS IS THE KIND OF PRESSURE
THE CHARGERS PUT ON MANNING WHEN
THEY DEFEATED THE COLTS AFTER
WINNING THEIR FIRST 13,
INDIANAPOLIS, OUT OF A 3-4
DEFENSE, A LA THE STEELERS.
THIS THROW...
INCOMPLETE TO WAYNE.
AND HE HAD TWO MEN COVER HIM.
TYRONE CARTER WAS THERE FIRST.
AND ANOTHER QUICK THREE-AND-OUT
FOR THE COLTS.
>> AND I THINK THAT'S WHY PEYTON
THREW THE BALL LONG, BECAUSE
THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY HE DID WAS
TO TRY TO GET IT HIGH ENOUGH
THAT IT WOULDN'T BE INTERCEPTED.
THAT REALLY REDUCED THE CHANCES
OF WAYNE BEING ABLE TO MAKE A
PLAY ON IT.
BUT THIS IS [CHUCKLES] -- THIS
IS REALLY SOMETHING, WATCHING
THIS COLTS OFFENSE STRUGGLE.
14 POINTS WITH AN OFFENSE LIKE
INDIANAPOLIS, LET'S FACE IT,
IT'S NOT THAT BIG A DEAL.
THEY CAN DO IT, BUT THEY BETTER
START THINKING ABOUT LOOKING
LIKE A GOOD OFFENSIVE TEAM
PRETTY SOON.
>> HUNTER SMITH, THIS ONE NOT
QUITE AS GOOD AS HIS OTHER
KICKS.
ANTWAAN RANDLE EL AT THE 43.
AND TACKLED AT THE 45 BY
KELVIN HAYDEN.
THE SIDELINE FOR THE STEELERS IS
HOPPING, AS THEY LEAD, 14-0.
JEROME BETTIS HAS ENTERED THE
BACKFIELD ON THIS SERIES THAT
BEGINS AT THE 44.
>> ANOTHER OUTSTANDING FIELD
POSITION FOR THE STEELERS.
ANOTHER GOOD START.
>> ROETHLISBERGER GOING DEEP.
RANDLE EL.
AND THAT SHOULD BE A FLAG.
OH, MY.
IT WAS MARLIN JACKSON, THE
ROOKIE, WHO'S PLAYING BECAUSE
NICK HARPER INJURED EARLY.
IT APPEARED THAT JACKSON TACKLED
HIM BEFORE THE BALL ARRIVED.
>> WELL, THE BALL WAS
UNDERTHROWN.
SO, RANDLE EL HAS TO SLOW DOWN
AND WAIT FOR THE FOOTBALL.
NORMALLY, THIS BRINGS A FLAG.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
THAT'S MARLIN JACKSON,
NUMBER 28.
NOW, HE'S BEATEN THERE.
THE BALL IS UNDERTHROWN.
HOW THAT'S NOT INTERFERENCE, I
HAVE NO IDEA AT ALL.
>> I'M STUNNED.
>> THAT IS BLATANT INTERFERENCE
AND NOW THAT DIDN'T BRING A
FLAG.
AFTER LAST NIGHT, MAYBE THEY'RE
AFRAID TO THROW AN INTERFERENCE
FLAG.
>> IT MIGHT HAVE SOME EFFECT.
WILLIE PARKER ON THE SCREEN, AND
HE GOT IT UP TO FULL SPEED AND
AN 8-YARD PICKUP BEFORE
CATO JUNE COULD BRING HIM DOWN.
>> WELL, LOOK AT THAT.
NICK HARPER IS COMING BACK OUT
ONTO THE FIELD FOR THE COLTS.
THAT WAS SOME SHOT HE TOOK ON
HIS LEFT KNEE FROM THIS TEAMMATE
MIKE DOSS.
AND THAT IS REALLY GOOD NEWS FOR
THIS DEFENSIVE TEAM, THAT THEY
GET THEIR STARTING LEFT
CORNERBACK OUT THERE.
LOOK AT THAT.
THE CROWD APPRECIATES IT.
THEY NOTICED IT.
>> THEY SPOT THE BALL AT THE
INDIANAPOLIS 49.
THIRD AND 3.
>> VERRON HAYNES TAKES THE TOSS
AND WITH SECOND EFFORT PICKS UP
THE FIRST DOWN INSIDE THE 45.
HE IS A NICE COMPLEMENT TO
BETTIS AND PARKER.
HAYNES A GOOD PASS RECEIVER.
>> LET'S GO BACK AND LOOK AT
THAT HIT THAT NICK HARPER TOOK
IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
WATCH HIS LEFT KNEE.
LOOK HOW THAT THING FLEXES IN
THERE LIKE THAT.
LUCKILY, HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT
UP OFF OF THE GROUND AT THE LAST
MINUTE.
HE'S GOT SOME FLEXIBILITY THERE
TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK IN AND
PLAY.
GOOD FOR HIM.
>> AND REMEMBER, THE OTHER LEG,
THE THIGH, HAS A 3-STITCH WOUND
IN IT.
>> OH, I THINK AFTER THAT HIT,
THAT DIDN'T HURT ANYMORE.
>> SAD BUT TRUE.
FIRST DOWN.
AND IT'S PARKER.
TOPPLED AFTER A SHORT GAIN BY
BOB SANDERS, UP QUICKLY FROM HIS
SAFETY SPOT.
SANDERS, IN HIS SECOND YEAR,
GOING TO HONOLULU.
>> SO, WE HAVE THE TWO A.P.
ALL-PRO SAFETIES IN THIS GAME.
THE FREE SAFETY IS BOB SANDERS.
THE STRONG SAFETY IS
TROY POLAMALU, RIGHT THERE.
WE ASKED BILL COWHER LAST NIGHT,
"WHAT DO YOU THINK OF
BOB SANDERS?"
HE GOES, "I LOVE BOB SANDERS."
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
AND HE SAID "LOVE" --
>> HE DID.
>> "I LOVE BOB SANDERS."
AND I THINK BILL COWHER IS
ECHOING EVERY OTHER COACH IN
THIS LEAGUE.
>> SECOND AND 9.
ROETHLISBERGER CHASED BY
FREENEY.
FREENEY CAN'T GET HIM.
NOW HE THROWS IT SHORT AND
INCOMPLETE TO TUMAN, THE
TIGHT END.
THERE'S THAT MOBILITY.
>> 6'5", 241, AND LOOK AT THE
WAY BEN ROETHLISBERGER CAN MOVE
AROUND.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS
COMPLETELY MISSING FROM THE
MONDAY-NIGHT GAME.
AFTER THREE WEEKS OFF, COMING
OFF SURGERY, HE COULD NOT MOVE
ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THAT.
A LITTLE DOUG FLUTIE-LIKE THERE.
>> TURF SHOES.
HE SAID HE WAS WEARING ONLY TURF
SHOES NOW ON THE ARTIFICIAL
CARPET, AS WE HAVE TODAY.
MIKE VANDERJAGT, THE
PLACEKICKER, LEADING THE CHEERS
FOR THE COLTS.
>> IT'S WHAT ALL KICKERS SHOULD
BE DOING WHEN THEY'RE NOT
KICKING.
>> THAT'S LOVE AGAIN.
THIRD AND 9.
CHASED OUT OF THE POCKET.
THROWS DEEP DOWNFIELD!
ALMOST INTERCEPTED.
IN AND OUT OF THE HANDS OF
MIKE DOSS.
THREE MEN COVERING INTENDED
RECEIVER CEDRICK WILSON.
>> OH, BEN DID A GREAT JOB AGAIN
OF BUYING HIMSELF SOME EXTRA
TIME.
HE IS RUN OUT OF THE POCKET THAT
TIME BY MONTAE REAGOR, AND HE
DOES A GOOD JOB OF SETTING UP,
SQUARING UP.
BUT THE BALL JUST FLOATS ON HIM.
THE BALL JUST SAILS A LITTLE
BIT.
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A
COMPLETION IF HE COULD HAVE
MAYBE HAD IT JUST A FOOT,
18 INCHES LOWER.
>> CHRIS GARDOCKI, WITH
TROY WALTERS BACK INSIDE THE
10-YARD LINE.
GARDOCKI, WHO HAS KICKED WELL
OVER 1,100 TIMES IN HIS LONG NFL
CAREER WITHOUT HAVING A PUNT
BLOCKED.
SENDS IT VERY HIGH.
WALTERS GONNA LET IT BOUNCE, AND
NOW THE COLTS WILL START ON THE
2-YARD LINE.
PEYTON MANNING, 2-FOR-9 AT THE
START, ONLY 37 YARDS, OPENS THIS
SERIES ON HIS OWN 2.
GIVEN UP THE MIDDLE TO
EDGERRIN JAMES, AND THAT'S THE
ONLY PLACE THAT THE COLTS HAVE
NOT TRIED, AND IT DOESN'T GET
MUCH YARDAGE THERE, EITHER.
THEY'VE TRIED THE STRETCH PLAY,
THEY'VE TRIED THE PASSES, AND
THE STEELERS HAVE ALL THE
ANSWERS.
>> WELL, APPARENTLY PITTSBURGH
TOOK OFFENSE TO EDGERRIN JAMES
RUNNING ON THEM FOR 124 YARDS IN
LATE NOVEMBER.
AND TOM MOORE, HE'S GOT TO BE
WONDERING RIGHT NOW.
NOW, PEYTON MANNING HAS SO MUCH
FLEXIBILITY IN CALLING HIS
PLAYS.
BUT UP TO THIS POINT AND TIME,
THE PLAYBOOK IS RUNNING DRY.
>> ONLY A YARD ON THE FIRST PLAY
AND NOW THE STRETCH TO JAMES.
AND HE FINALLY SEES SOME
DAYLIGHT.
GETS OUT ACROSS THE 10.
LOOKS AS IF HE HAS A FIRST DOWN
AT THE 13.
CHRIS HOPE AND IKE TAYLOR IN THE
SECONDARY MAKE THE TACKLE.
>> WELL, HE TRIED THE STRETCH
PLAY TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND
DIDN'T GET MUCH GOING.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY
REALLY RUN IT TO THE LEFT, AND
THEY GET SOME GOOD BLOCKING OUT
IN FRONT.
THEY GET SOME GOOD WORK, AND
THEY FINALLY LET EDGERRIN JAMES
GET INTO THE SECOND LEVEL BEFORE
HE HAS TO TAKE SOMEBODY ON.
AND DESHEA TOWNSEND FINDS OUT
RIGHT OFF THE BAT THAT'S NOT
EASILY DONE.
BUT THAT'S THE FIRST TIME JAMES
HAD A CHANCE.
>> RYAN LILJA HAD THE CLEARING
BLOCK.
HERE'S JAMES THE OTHER WAY AND
DRAWS A CROWD, AS HE CROSSES THE
15.
CLARK HAGGANS, THE UNDERRATED
LINEBACKER -- NOT SO IN
PITTSBURGH BUT AROUND THE
COUNTRY.
WITH JOEY PORTER GETTING ALL THE
HEADLINES, IT'S EASY TO OVERLOOK
HAGGANS, THE LINEBACKER ON THE
OTHER SIDE.
HE HAD 9 SACKS THIS YEAR, A
CAREER HIGH, AND 4 FORCED
FUMBLES.
HE MAKES PLAYS.
>> WERE YOU TONGUE-IN-CHEEK WHEN
YOU SAID, "JOEY PORTER GETS ALL
THE HEADLINES"?
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
>> HE DID THIS WEEK.
>> HE GOT THEM ALL HERE IN
INDIANAPOLIS THIS WEEK.
>> SECOND DOWN AND 6.
MANNING.
OPEN IS DALLAS CLARK, AND THE
TIGHT END HAS A FIRST DOWN AT
THE 38-YARD LINE.
IKE TAYLOR BROUGHT HIM DOWN.
>> OH, HOW DESPERATELY DID
INDIANAPOLIS NEED THAT PLAY?
THEY'RE COMING OUT FROM THEIR
OWN END ZONE, AND THEY NEEDED A
BIG PLAY.
AND THIS IS JUST VINTAGE
INDIANAPOLIS.
DALLAS CLARK COMING ALL THE WAY
ACROSS THE FIELD.
AND FINALLY THEY'RE GETTING TO
MOVE THE CHAINS -- BACK-TO-BACK
FIRST DOWNS.
THEY MUST BE FLUSH WITH SUCCESS,
THESE GUYS.
FINALLY, THEY'RE STARTING TO
LOOK LIKE THEIR OLD SELVES.
>> 8 1/2 MINUTES LEFT IN THIS
OPENING HALF, 14-0 THE DEFICIT
STARING AT MANNING AND THE
COLTS.
MAKING MORE MOVES THAN A ROMAN
TRAFFIC OFFICER.
AND IT'S JAMES FINDING DAYLIGHT
AGAIN, THE LEFT SIDE.
POLAMALU FINALLY MAKES THE HIT.
FIRST DOWN AT THE 45.
THREE FIRST DOWNS IN SUCCESSION.
>> WELL, POLAMALU MAKES A HIT,
BUT THEN POLAMALU GOES FOR A
RIDE.
EDGERRIN JAMES, BOY, IS HE
FINISHING A RUN HERE.
AND FINALLY WE'RE SEEING SOME
POWER OUT OF THIS RUNNING GAME.
AGAIN, HE'S GONNA GET INTO THE
SECOND LEVEL.
BUT WATCH POLAMALU HERE.
THERE HE COMES.
HE GOES DOWN. HE'S BACK UP.
GREAT FINISH AND GREAT POWER.
AND LOOK AT THE MARK ON THE
HELMET OF EDGERRIN JAMES.
THAT'S FROM TROY POLAMALU.
>> EVERYTHING BUT THE NUMBER 43
THERE.
15 YARDS ON THAT LAST RUN.
MANNING.
COMPLETE.
IT'S TO THE TIGHT END FLETCHER,
BRYAN FLETCHER, HIS FIRST CATCH.
ANOTHER FIRST DOWN, FOUR IN A
ROW.
>> AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE
CROWD HERE STARTING TO SENSE,
"WHOA, OUR BOYS ARE FINALLY
WAKING UP."
>> BRYAN FLETCHER, A SIXTH-ROUND
PICK BY THE BEARS AND PICKED UP
BY THE COLTS.
HE PLAYED AT UCLA.
DOMINIC RHODES IN FOR
EDGERRIN JAMES ON THIS PLAY.
AND RHODES ON THE STRETCH.
AND THE STEELERS SWING HIM WIDE
TO CUT OFF THE PATH.
A GAIN OF A COUPLE.
JAMES FARRIOR AND BRETT KEISEL
IN ON THE TACKLE.
>> BUT IF THE COLTS CAN JUST
START MAKING A LITTLE NOISE WITH
THEIR RUNNING GAME, ALL OF A
SUDDEN, THE PLAY-ACTION THAT
FOLLOWS BECOMES IMPORTANT.
ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BECOMES
CREDIBLE.
>> YOU CAN SELL THEM THE FAKE
AND GIVE MANNING MORE TIME.
JAMES BACK IN.
QUICK THROW UNDERNEATH TO
REGGIE WAYNE, SHORT YARDAGE TO
THE 30, ONLY A 4-YARD PICKUP.
FARRIOR THE TACKLER.
>> WE SEE PEYTON MANNING UP AT
THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, GOING
THROUGH HIS CHECK-OFFS, CHANGING
PROTECTION, CALLING PLAYS,
AUDIBLING.
HE SAID ONE THING ABOUT IT,
THOUGH.
"SOMETIMES I THINK I CAN TALK A
TEAM OFF OF A BLITZ."
HE SAID, "NOT THE STEELERS."
HE SAID, "I KNOW GOING IN, IF
THEY'VE MADE A COMMITMENT TO
WHERE THEY'RE GONNA COME ON THE
OVERLOAD BLITZ, I CAN'T DO
ANYTHING UP THERE THAT'S GONNA
TALK THEM OFF OF IT.
THEY'RE COMING NO MATTER WHAT I
DO."
>> THAT "BLITZBURGH" MENTAL
STATE.
THE SPIRIT OF COWHER'S DEFENSE.
HERE COMES POLAMALU WITH A
RUNNING START, BUT THEY MAKE THE
PLAY TO FLETCHER AND A FIRST
DOWN.
SO, THEY PICKED THE RIGHT CALL,
DID MANNING THERE, AS POLAMALU
WAS FLYING IN.
>> BUT IT'S A TEAM GAME.
IT WORKED BECAUSE BRYAN FLETCHER
MAKES THE ADJUSTMENT.
BRYAN FLETCHER IS READY FOR THE
FOOTBALL.
WE SAW BEFORE PEYTON MANNING
LOOKING FOR RECEIVERS THAT
WEREN'T THERE.
FLETCHER REALIZES IT'S A BLITZ.
HE PASSES POLAMALU ON THE WAY
AND IMMEDIATELY TURNS AROUND AND
BECOMES A TARGET.
NOW POLAMALU, HE TIMES THIS
PRETTY WELL, BUT NOT MUCH YOU
CAN DO ABOUT IT WHEN IT'S A
COORDINATED OFFENSE.
>> THAT WAS INDIANAPOLIS' FIRST
THIRD-DOWN CONVERSION IN THIS
OPENING HALF.
FIVE STRAIGHT FIRST DOWNS ON
THIS DRIVE THAT BEGAN AT THE 2.
EDGERRIN JAMES, EXCELLENT
RECEIVER.
CAUGHT 44 PASSES DURING THE
REGULAR YEAR.
FARRIOR AND TAYLOR COLLABORATED
ON THE STOP.
>> AND FINALLY WE'RE LOOKING AT
THE OFFENSE THAT WE ALL EXPECTED
TO SEE.
THEY'RE IN SYNC.
THEY'RE MAKING JUST THE EASY
PLAYS.
YOU CAN SEE RIGHT THERE, THEY
WERE TIED FOR SECOND IN THE NFL,
SCORING 37 TIMES.
NOT A COMBINATION OF TOUCHDOWNS
AND FIELD GOALS --
37 TOUCHDOWNS.
>> JAMES.
TO THE 10, TO THE 8.
>> JAMES FARRIOR, PLEASE REPORT
TO THE LOCKER ROOM.
PICK UP SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT
THAT EDGERRIN JAMES JUST FAKED
YOU OUT OF RIGHT THERE.
WHAT A MOVE!
WHAT A MOVE JAMES PUTS ON
FARRIOR, WHO'S UNBLOCKED.
WATCH JAMES FARRIOR COME INTO
THE PICT-- WHOA!
[ LAUGHS ]
LOOK AT THAT MOVE THERE, THAT HE
GOES BACK TO THE INSIDE, AND HE
LEAVES JAMES FARRIOR GASPING AT
AIR.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN,
EDGERRIN JAMES AND THE RUNNING
GAME A FACTOR.
>> 44 YARDS, AS YOU SEE ON OUR
STAT TRAX.
FIRST AND GOAL AT THE 9.
JAMES UP THE MIDDLE.
AND THE STEELERS WAITING AFTER A
COUPLE.
JOEY PORTER LED THE CHARGE.
>> WELL, THIS IS REALLY
INDIANAPOLIS DOING WHAT THEY SO
DESPERATELY WANTED TO DO --
ESTABLISH EDGERRIN JAMES.
AGAIN, HE WAS THE DIFFERENCE
MAKER IN THE FIRST GAME -- HIM
BEING ABLE TO RUN THE BALL AND
POUND IT IN THERE.
THEY KEPT THE STEELERS OFFENSE
ON THE SIDELINES.
AND FINALLY WE'RE SEEING SOME
SIGNS OF THAT RUNNING GAME.
>> 12th PLAY THAT BEGAN BACK AT
THE 2-YARD LINE.
THIS IS THE 13th NOW.
FAKE TO JAMES.
>> JAMES IS WIDE OPEN.
>> HE WAS OPEN.
BURROWS HIS WAY TO THE GOAL
LINE.
DOESN'T GET IN.
LARRY FOOTE DENIED THE
TOUCHDOWN.
>> THAT WAS ONLY APPARENT TO
EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS
STADIUM.
>> EVEN I SAW THAT ONE!
>> AFTER THE FAKE, NOBODY FROM
PITTSBURGH GETS OUT ON
EDGERRIN JAMES.
ALL THE SUDDEN, AT THE LAST
MINUTE, DESHEA TOWNSEND COMES
UP, TRIES TO GET IN ON IT.
>> JAMES -- YOU KNOW A LOT OF
TIMES YOU'LL SEE A BACK MAKE A
FAKE LIKE THAT.
JAMES ALMOST DIDN'T TURN AROUND.
ALL OF THE SUDDEN, HE TURNED
AROUND JUST AT THE RIGHT TIME.
HERE WAS THE BALL.
>> MANNING WAS GOING THERE ALL
ALONG.
>> THIRD AND GOAL.
>> JAMES -- NO, IT IS MUNGRO.
JAMES MUNGRO, BUT NO PLAY, NO
PLAY.
A FLAG DOWN.
THERE WAS MOVEMENT BEFORE THE
SNAP.
>> AND NOBODY IS HAPPIER ABOUT
THAT THAN TRAVIS KIRSCHKE.
>> FALSE START, NUMBER 78,
OFFENSE.
5-YARD PENALTY -- REMAINS THIRD
DOWN.
>> THE SECOND ONE CALLED ON
TARIK GLENN.
>> SO, TOUCHDOWN DENIED.
IT'S THIRD AND GOAL NOW FROM THE
6-YARD LINE.
>> TARIK GLENN -- YOU SEE HIM
RIGHT THERE -- THE LEFT TACKLE
COMES UP AND OUT OF HIS STANCE
TO GO DOWN AND MAKE THE DOWN
BLOCK.
THAT'S, AGAIN -- THAT'S A LITTLE
OF THAT RUST.
IT'S HARD TO SHAKE.
>> THAT'S AS ANIMATED AS
TONY DUNGY WILL GET.
>> YOU JUST DON'T GET FALSE
STARTS AT HOME.
YOU'RE AT HOME, FOR GOD'S SAKE.
[ WHISTLE BLOWS ]
>> AND THIS TIME, IT'S
AARON SMITH, WHO LURCHED
OFFSIDE.
DIDN'T MAKE CONTACT, BUT THAT
INDUCED THE RIGHT TACKLE, DIEM,
TO MOVE.
>> THEY HOPE.
JAKE SCOTT, 73, CAME OUT AND
WENT AFTER SMITH.
HE BETTER HAVE CAUGHT HIM IN
THE NEUTRAL ZONE.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
HE DID.
>> HALF THE DISTANCE TO THE
GOAL, NUMBER 95.
STILL THIRD DOWN.
>> AND THIS HUNGRY CROWD FOR
SOMETHING POSITIVE, LIKE THAT
CALL.
FIRST STEELER PENALTY.
>> I THINK IF THEY'RE GONNA KICK
A FIELD GOAL, THEY MIGHT ELECT
TO GO WITH A PASS.
>> 3-YARD LINE.
THIRD DOWN AND GOAL.
>> THAT'S FROM ALL MY YEARS OF
BEING AN OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
IN THE LEAGUE.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
YOU'D SAY RUN IT.
>> RUN IT!
>> THREE WIDE RECEIVERS.
STOKLEY IN THE SLOT RIGHT.
HARRISON FAR RIGHT AND WAYNE TO
THE LEFT.
EDGERRIN JAMES THE RUNNING BACK.
AND IT'S JAMES.
AND HE DOESN'T GET MUCH AT ALL.
SECOND EFFORT, A YARD, AND
AARON SMITH WAS THERE FIRST.
SO, IT'S FOURTH AND GOAL AT THE
2, AND OUT COMES VANDERJAGT.
THEY'LL KICK THE FIELD GOAL.
>> YEAH, AND AFTER NOT EVEN
GETTING A SNIFF.
THEY RAN THE FOOTBALL, BUT THEY
GOT NOTHING.
THIS IS A STOUT DEFENSIVE
FOOTBALL TEAM AGAINST THE RUN.
AND, TONY, JUST COME AWAY WITH
POINTS.
>> THAT'S TOO LONG A DRIVE, A
9:00 DRIVE FROM THEIR OWN 2-YARD
LINE TO THEIR OPPONENTS' 2-YARD
LINE, AND NOW THEY'LL SETTLE FOR
THE 3, APPARENTLY.
JUST A 20-YARD ATTEMPT.
JOSE CORTEZ, THE WELL-TRAVELED
KICKER -- WITH DALLAS EARLIER
THIS YEAR -- HAD BEEN PICKED UP
IN DECEMBER BY INDIANAPOLIS FOR
HIS KICKOFF LENGTH.
AND THERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF IT.
HE POUNDS ONE HALFWAY INTO THE
END ZONE, AND IKE TAYLOR TAKES
THE TOUCHBACK.
WE'LL SEE NOW COWHER'S MOVE.
14-3 -- WILL HE TAKE ANY
CHANCES?
WELL, THERE'S A SAFE PLAY, THE
SCREEN TO VERRON HAYNES.
AND HE IS DUMPED AT THE 19-YARD
LINE, A LOSS OF 1.
ROBERT MATHIS, A SPEEDY, SMALL
DEFENSIVE END/LINEBACKER AT
6'2", 235.
>> THE BALL CAME OUT OF THERE
KIND OF FUNNY.
DID SOMEBODY GET A HAND ON THIS
THING?
YEAH, RIGHT THERE,
DWIGHT FREENEY.
FREENEY JUST GRAZED IT WITH A
FINGERTIP.
AGAIN, HAYNES WAS ABLE TO STAY
WITH IT, BUT DWIGHT FREENEY, HE
DID TOUCH IT.
>> SO, IT'S SECOND DOWN AND A
LONG 10.
MARVIN HARRISON, THE
EVER-LACONIC POSITION.
>> MARVIN ALWAYS DEEP IN
CONVERSATION WITH HIS TEAMMATES.
>> AND ON SECOND DOWN, THE DRAW
PLAY, AND IT'S PARKER PICKING UP
3.
NICK HARPER TACKLES PARKER.
>> AND THAT WAS A GOOD TACKLE BY
NICK HARPER.
FOR A GUY THAT'S GOT A CUT ON
HIS RIGHT LEG, A REALLY
FLEXED-OUT KNEE ON HIS LEFT THAT
FORCED HIM INTO THE LOCKER ROOM.
THAT WAS A GOOD EFFORT.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
INDY TRYING TO GET THE CROWD
BACK IN IT HERE.
THEY COULD USE THEIR HELP.
>> PARKER THE RUNNING BACK.
ROETHLISBERGER DEEP DOWN THE
MIDDLE, INCOMPLETE.
AND A FLAG DOWN.
ANTWAAN RANDLE EL WAS HELD.
>> PRIOR TO THE PASS, HOLDING,
NUMBER 21 OF THE DEFENSE.
5-YARD PENALTY -- AUTOMATIC
FIRST DOWN.
>> WELL, THEY FLAGGED
BOB SANDERS.
MIKE DOSS WAS CERTAINLY ACTING
LIKE -- BOB EXPRESSING HIS
DISPLEASURE WITH BEING THE GUY
THAT GOT FLAGGED.
THE STEELERS NOW HAVE
3 TIME-OUTS.
THE ROLES MIGHT HAVE SHIFTED
RIGHT HERE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THE WAY BEN HAS BEEN THROWING
THE FOOTBALL -- BILL COWHER BY
NATURE LIKES TO SIT ON A LEAD.
BUT THE WAY BEN HAS BEEN
THROWING IT, I'D TRUST HIM.
>> FOUR WIDES AND VERRON HAYNES
IN THE BACKFIELD.
HAND-OFF TO HAYNES.
TRIPPED UP AS HE HIT THE LINE OF
SCRIMMAGE.
GOT UP.
THEY DIDN'T MARK HIM DOWN.
SO, APPARENTLY, HE FELL OVER HIS
OWN BLOCKER, AND BRACKETT AND
MARLIN JACKSON MAKE THE TACKLE.
SECOND DOWN AT THE 32.
CLOCK RUNNING.
>> THE STEELERS -- THEY'RE GONNA
BE CONTENT TO GO ON IN WITH THIS
14-3 LEAD.
>> WHAT A POWERFUL START TO THIS
PLAYOFF GAME.
THE OPENING DRIVE SO INCREDIBLY
IMPRESSIVE, AS
BEN ROETHLISBERGER, A 36-YARD
PASS TO HEATH MILLER AND THEN
ANOTHER 18 YARDS TO MILLER, AND
FINALLY A TOUCHDOWN THROW TO
RANDLE EL, AS THEY MARCHED
84 YARDS IN 10 PLAYS TO SCORE,
7-0, AND MADE IT LOOK TOO EASY.
[ WHISTLE BLOWS ]
ROETHLISBERGER TAKES A KNEE,
FINAL PLAY OF THE OPENING HALF.
A 14-3 PITTSBURGH STEELER
ADVANTAGE.
AND THE STEELERS, TRUE TO THEIR
PROMISE, PLAY WELL ON THE ROAD.
THEY WERE 6-2 THIS YEAR ON THE
SEASON, AND THEY CERTAINLY WERE
OUTSTANDING, ESPECIALLY IN THAT
FIRST QUARTER.
>> AND THE STEELERS RIGHT NOW
HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF FANS OUT IN
COLORADO, DON'T THEY?
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
THOSE BRONCO FAN SAID, "WE WANT
THE HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE NEXT
WEEK."
>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
THAT'S WHERE THE
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WOULD BE
IF PITTSBURGH WINS.
>> IF INDY WINS, DENVER COMES TO
INDIANAPOLIS.
DOMINIC RHODES MUFFS THE OPENING
KICKOFF OF THE SECOND HALF AND
THEN RETURNS OUT TO THE 19-YARD
LINE.
SO, LET'S SEE HOW MANNING AND
THE COLTS HAVE ADJUSTED AFTER
THE DEFENSE OF PITTSBURGH
STYMIED THEM MOST OF THE FIRST
HALF.
THEY COME OUT THROWING, AND IT'S
A SCREEN TO JAMES, WELL-READ BY
IKE TAYLOR.
CAME UP QUICKLY TO MAKE THE
TACKLE AND A GAIN OF ONLY 4.
MANNING HANDING OFF TO JAMES,
TRYING THAT LEFT SIDE, WHERE
THEY'VE HAD MORE SUCCESS, AND HE
DRAGS A TACKLER TO THE 27, WHERE
IT WILL BE THIRD AND 2.
JAMES FARRIOR AROUND HIS ANKLES.
MANNING HAS COMPLETED NOW
7 PASSES IN A ROW, GOING BACK
TO THE END OF THE OPENING HALF.
WHAT'S THE CALL HERE ON THIRD
AND 2?
THE ONLY PLAYOFF WIN WHEN
TRAILING AT THE HALF --
SUPER BOWL V.
>> THAT WAS A WHILE AGO.
>> IS THAT THE JIM O'BRIEN
SUPER BOWL?
>> THEY WERE THE BALTIMORE COLTS
BACK THEN.
>> O'BRIEN KICKING A FIELD GOAL
TO WIN A LOW-SCORING GAME.
IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ABLE TO THROW
IT TO WAYNE, AND REGGIE WAYNE
HAS THE FIRST DOWN AT THE 35.
MANNING WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC,
AND SO WAS WAYNE.
>> WELL, AND ONE OF THE FEW
TIMES WE'VE SEEN WHERE PEYTON
HAS GONE DOWNFIELD AND A
RECEIVER WAS EXACTLY WHERE HE
EXPECTED HIM TO BE.
THIS WAS A LASER SHOT FROM
PEYTON, AND DESHEA TOWNSEND,
HARD TO HAVE A WHOLE LOT BETTER
COVERAGE.
BUT REGGIE WAYNE DOES A GOOD JOB
OF SCREENING TOWNSEND AWAY WITH
HIS BODY.
>> PHONE-BOOTH THROW BY MANNING
RIGHT OVER THE TOP.
EDGERRIN JAMES LOOKED AS IF HE
WAS GOING TO GET MORE, AND THE
CROWD, YOU COULD FEEL THE SWELL
OF THEIR ENTHUSIASM.
BUT TROY POLAMALU ENDED THE
PARTY QUICKLY AT THE 40-YARD
LINE.
NOW THEY'RE GONNA MARK IT AT THE
39.
HERE HE COMES, NUMBER 43, THE
FLOWING LOCKS -- IT'S MORE OF A
BLOCK THAN IT IS A TACKLE.
NO ATTEMPT AT WRAPPING UP, BUT
HE PUTS A SHOULDER RIGHT ON THE
THIGH, AND THAT GETS IT DONE.
>> GAIN OF ONLY 3, WHEN IT
LOOKED AS IF IT WAS DESTINED FOR
MUCH BETTER.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
QUICK THROW, AND IS IT
INTERCEPTED BY POLAMALU?
>> NO, THE OFFICIAL'S WAVING IT
OFF.
HE'S MARKING IT DOWN AT THE 49.
AND POLAMALU QUICKLY TRYING TO
INFLUENCE BY HEADING TOWARD THE
GOAL LINE.
>> DEFENSIVE BACKS WORK ON THIS
EVERY DAY.
THEY CALL IT THE TIP DRILL
BECAUSE THE BALL GETS HIT, AND
UP IT GOES.
AND TROY POLAMALU JUST TRYING TO
MAKE UP GROUND TO GET THERE.
WHOA.
HE INITIALLY GOT HIS HANDS UNDER
THE BALL.
WHEN HE FIRST DOVE FOR THAT
BALL, HE GOT HIS HANDS
UNDERNEATH THERE.
THAT MIGHT BE WORTH A SECOND
LOOK.
>> NO RED FLAG FROM COWHER.
>> WELL, POLAMALU'S NOT ARGUING,
SO, HE FEELS HE LOST IT
AFTERWARDS.
>> THIRD AND 7.
QUICK THROW TO CLARK, AND A
QUICK HIT BY CHRIS HOPE THAT
DENIES A FIRST DOWN.
>> LOOK AT IT AGAIN.
IT LOOKED LIKE TROY POLAMALU
GOT BOTH HIS HANDS UNDERNEATH
THE FOOTBALL INITIALLY.
I MEAN, RIGHT THERE HE'S KEEPING
THE BALL OFF THE GROUND, BUT
THEN...
>> THERE.
>> ...HE LOSES IT.
YEAH, IT COMES OFF HIS HANDS.
YEP, IT CAME OFF HIS HAND AND
ROLLED UP HIS CHEST A LITTLE
BIT.
INITIALLY, THAT WAS FABULOUS.
>> POLAMALU, WHO HAD AN
INTERCEPTION OF MANNING IN THAT
NOVEMBER GAME.
AND YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHERE
YOU'RE GONNA FIND HIM.
HE HAD ONE LAST WEEK AGAINST
CINCINNATI.
HUNTER SMITH.
ANTWAAN RANDLE EL, FAIR CATCH AT
THE 23-YARD LINE.
>> TROY POLAMALU, A MAN OF DEEP
FAITH, A VERY SPIRITUAL MAN.
>> AND PASSIONATE.
HE USED THAT WORD FOUR OR FIVE
TIMES IN OUR CONVERSATION.
PASSIONATE ABOUT LIFE AND ABOUT
PLAYING THIS GAME AND HIS
RELIGION.
WILLIE PARKER SHOWING YOU THAT
4.3 SPEED AROUND THE CORNER.
CLOSE TO A FIRST DOWN.
>> WELL, THIS DRIVE RIGHT NOW IS
GOING TO TELL US I THINK A LOT
ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THIS
FOOTBALL GAME.
INDIANAPOLIS CAME OUT AFTER ALL
THE ADJUSTMENTS THEY MADE AT
HALFTIME.
WASN'T ABLE TO GET ANYTHING
DONE.
RIGHT NOW I THINK THE STEELERS
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY
SERVE NOTICE THAT THE COLTS ARE
GONNA HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS
DRAMATICALLY IF THEY'RE GONNA
WIN THIS GAME.
>> YOU SAW ROETHLISBERGER'S
RATING -- 105-PLUS.
HE WAS THIRD IN THE LEAGUE IN
THE REGULAR SEASON, BEHIND
MANNING AND CARSON PALMER.
AND HE'S ACCURATE.
RIGHT ON THE MONEY TO
ANTWAAN RANDLE EL AND A FIRST
DOWN AT THE 46-YARD LINE.
>> WELL, WE'RE GETTING A CLINIC
ON HOW TO THROW THE FOOTBALL,
AND IT'S BEING PUT ON BY
NUMBER 7.
YOU MIGHT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SEE
THE OTHER PROFESSOR, BUT THE
VISITING PROFESSOR IS THE GUY
THAT'S TEACHING THE CLASS RIGHT
NOW.
LOOK AT THE ACCURACY THAT
BEN ROETHLISBERGER DEMONSTRATES
IN THROWING A FOOTBALL.
>> AND THE QUICKNESS HE GETS THE
BALL OUT.
13-FOR-20 IN THE GAME FOR
BIG BEN AND 185 YARDS,
2 TOUCHDOWNS.
CROWD NOT SO ENTHUSIASTIC.
NOT MUCH NOISE.
AND THIS WILL HELP OUT, AS THEY
ARE ABLE TO HIT PARKER IN THE
BACKFIELD.
MONTAE REAGOR FIRST TO INVADE.
>> THE STEELERS, A LOT OF TIMES
IN TRYING TO RUN THE BALL THIS
AFTERNOON HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH
COLTS DEFENSIVE LINEMEN IN THEIR
BACKFIELD.
THEN, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW
JOHN TEERLINCK, THEIR
DEFENSIVE LINE COACH --
PENETRATION IS EVERYTHING.
GET UPFIELD.
ATTACK THE QUARTERBACK.
THERE'S BIG JOHN.
WHEN I SAY "BIG JOHN," YOU CAN
IDENTIFY WHICH ONE IS JOHN.
BUT IT IS GET UPFIELD.
PLAY THE PASS.
IF IT'S A RUNNING PLAY, HEY,
THE GUY WILL COME TO YOU.
>> LONGTIME DEFENSIVE LINEMAN IN
THE LEAGUE.
SECOND AND 13.
SCREEN AND IT SHOULD WORK.
BLOCKERS FOR PARKER, AND HE'S
ALL THE WAY TO THE 45 OF THE
STEELERS' BEFORE BOB SANDERS,
ANOTHER LOW-CHOPPING TACKLE,
JUST SHY OF THE FIRST DOWN.
>> WELL, SCREEN TO SPEED, AND
THAT'S WHAT THE STEELERS ARE
DOING HERE.
THEY'RE GOING TO
DWIGHT FREENEY'S SIDE.
WILLIE PARKER GIVES HIM THE
WAVE.
JUST LETS FREENEY GO ON BY.
HE KIND OF DIDN'T LET HIS
BLOCKERS GET SET UP.
HERE GOES DWIGHT FREENEY.
GOES RIGHT BY PARKER, AND BY THE
TIME HE GETS TO BEN, THE BALL IS
GONE.
PARKER COULD HAVE MAYBE SHOWN A
LITTLE MORE PATIENCE.
LET MARVEL SMITH AND FANECA GET
SET UP DOWNFIELD.
>> THIRD AND A LONG YARD, AND
"THE BUS" IS IN FOR PITTSBURGH.
BETTIS, A DETROIT NATIVE, WANTS
TO GO TO THE SUPER BOWL IN THE
MOTOR CITY.
SUPER BOWL XL -- ISN'T THAT --
YOU SAID EXTRA LARGE, BUT HE IS.
>> I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY
SUPER BOWL 40.
I THOUGHT IT WAS
SUPER BOWL EXTRA LARGE.
WELL, I PASSED EXTRA LARGE WHEN
I WAS ABOUT 12.
>> HE QUALIFIES.
>> GOOD HOLE INSIDE.
JEROME DIDN'T HAVE TO TAKE
ANYBODY ON UNTIL HE WAS 2 OR
3 YARDS INTO THAT RUN.
GOOD SURGE, GOOD BLOCKING.
HARTINGS, THE CENTER, HEADED TO
HIS SECOND PRO BOWL.
KENDALL SIMMONS, GOOD WORK
INSIDE.
>> PARKER BACK IN.
AND IT'S PARKER.
BIG HOLE AGAIN.
HE SLASHES TO THE 37-YARD LINE,
A GAIN OF AT LEAST 5 MORE BEFORE
NICK HARPER CAN MAKE THE TACKLE.
INTERESTING STORY, AND THERE ARE
SO MANY OF THEM IN THIS GAME.
WITH ALL THE STAR POWER OF THESE
TWO TEAMS, SO MUCH OF THE EFFORT
OF THEIR SEASON DEPENDED ON MEN
THAT WEREN'T EVEN DRAFTED --
FREE AGENTS, PLAYERS THAT WERE
OVERLOOKED EVEN IN COLLEGE,
WILLIE PARKER BEING ONE OF THEM.
AS A SENIOR, HIS LAST GAME AT
NORTH CAROLINA, ON SENIOR DAY,
DIDN'T EVEN GET ON THE FIELD.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
RUSHED FOR MORE YARDS THIS YEAR
AS A PRO THAN HE DID FOUR YEARS
WITH THE TAR HEELS.
HE GETS IT AGAIN.
AND HAS A FIRST DOWN, AS HE
DRIVES THROUGH THE TACKLE OF
DAVID THORNTON, DOWN TO THE 31.
>> AND TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
IN THE HISTORY OF THE STEELERS
FRANCHISE, YOU SEE THAT
BARRY FOSTER SITS ATOP THE LIST
WITH A 1,690, BUT WILLIE PARKER
MAKES AN APPEARANCE.
AFTER EVERY SERIES,
WILLIE PARKER COMES OFF TO FIND
BETTIS WAITING FOR HIM.
>> SAID, "HE'S TUTORED ME NOT
ONLY ON THE FIELD BUT MY
BEHAVIOR OFF THE FIELD."
PARKER HIT IN THE BACKFIELD THIS
TIME, BROUGHT DOWN BY CATO JUNE.
YOU SAID HE WON THE JOB BY
DEFAULT TWO YEARS AGO BECAUSE
BETTIS WAS INJURED IN THE
PRESEASON.
AND THEN DUCE STALEY, THEY HAD
ACQUIRED, WAS INJURED.
AND COACH COWHER SAID, "WELL,
LET'S GIVE THIS KID A TRY."
AND HE SAID, "THE MORE I SAW OF
HIM, I SAID, 'YOU KNOW WHAT?
I THINK WE MAY JUST HAVE OUR
BEST PLAYER STARTING THE
SEASON.'"
>> WELL, IT'S NOT A SURPRISE
HOW QUICKLY PURE, RAW SPEED
IMPRESSES A COACH.
THEY LOVE SPEED.
>> AND HE'S NOT THE TYPICAL BIG
RUNNER THE STEELERS -- YOU SAW
THOSE 1,000-YARD-PLUS RUSHERS ON
THAT LAST GRAPHIC.
WELL, SECOND DOWN AND LONG.
AND ROETHLISBERGER WITH A PUMP,
AND THEN HE'S GOING TO TAKE THE
SACK.
FUMBLES THE BALL!
HE WAS WHISTLED DEAD.
NO FUMBLE.
THE PLAY HAD BEEN WHISTLED DEAD
AT THE 39-YARD LINE.
>> AND IS BEN HURT?
BEN WAS STILL DOWN.
OKAY, HE GOT UP LATE.
>> REMEMBER, HE HAS THAT INJURED
THUMB.
HE WEARS A GLOVE, AS YOU CAN
SEE, ON THE RIGHT HAND.
IN FACT, HE LIKES IT.
HE SAID EVEN WHEN HE'S NOT
INJURED, HE MIGHT USE IT.
HE HAS A SPLINT ON THAT RIGHT
THUMB.
>> AND HE'S SHAKING HIS RIGHT
ARM.
LET'S WATCH DWIGHT FREENEY.
AS HE COMES AROUND, THEY GOT
HEATH MILLER ON HIM.
THEN, MARVEL SMITH PICKS HIM UP.
BUT HE STILL, AFTER THE DOUBLE
TEAM, GETS IN ON ROETHLISBERGER.
>> BOY, IS HE INCESSANT.
>> AND WHEN BEN GOES DOWN, OH,
HE TAKES A SHOT.
HE TAKES A SHOT FROM BEHIND
RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HIS RIGHT
ARM.
AND BEN WAS SHAKING THAT ARM,
TRYING TO SHAKE IT OFF.
>> THIRD DOWN, 16.
AND THE THROW INCOMPLETE.
VERRON HAYNES WAS THE INTENDED
RECEIVER, BUT THAT PASS THROWN
UP INTO THE WEDGE THAT WAS
FORMING ON THE SCREEN PASS.
SO, THE STEELER DRIVE STALLS
WITH PRESSURE ON ROETHLISBERGER
AT THE 39 OF THE COLTS.
>> YEAH, LET'S GO BACK A PLAY.
WATCH AT THE VERY END.
COMING FROM THE RIGHT, RIGHT
THERE.
OH, THAT IS A HELMET BY
ROBERT MATHIS RIGHT ON THE BACK,
RIGHT BETWEEN HIS ELBOW AND HIS
SHOULDER, RIGHT IN THE TRICEP
AREA.
THAT'LL LEAVE A MARK.
>> GARDOCKI, 1,162 PUNTS NOW
WITHOUT A BLOCK.
HE'S HAD SOME PARTIALLY BLOCKED
THIS YEAR.
JACKSONVILLE GOT A PIECE OF ONE
IN A GAME AT PITTSBURGH, BUT
NEVER TOTALLY SMOTHERED.
>> YEAH, BUT IF IT'S BLOCKED,
AND IT GOES A YARD OVER THE
LINE, IT'S NOT A BLOCK.
>> HIGH KICK.
FAIR CATCH, TROY WALTERS.
BEAUTIFUL SHOT OF THE
CITY CIRCLE, DOWNTOWN
INDIANAPOLIS, THE CAPITAL CITY
OF THE HOOSIER STATE.
INDOORS, THE RCA DOME, 55,000
EAGER TO FIND SOMETHING TO YELL
ABOUT, AS THEIR COLTS ARE DOWN,
14-3.
MANNING STARTS AT THE 9-YARD
LINE ON THIS POSSESSION.
THE PUMP.
MANNING HAS TO RUN FOR HIS LIFE
WITH HAMPTON CHASING HIM AND
THEN THROWS IT AWAY.
BIG, OLD CASEY HAMPTON, AT 325,
TRACKING MANNING.
>> LET'S GO BACK AND TAKE A LOOK
AGAIN AT THAT HIT ON
BEN ROETHLISBERGER.
HE PULLS IT IN.
HE'S UNDER THE CONTROL THERE OF
FREENEY, BUT RIGHT THERE, FROM
THE RIGHT, ROBERT MATHIS PUTS
HIS HAT RIGHT ON TO THE BACK OF
THE ARM.
AND THEN DURING THE COMMERCIAL
BREAK, THE MEDICAL STAFF OF THE
STEELERS, THEY'RE TESTING BEN
AND THE FEELING HE'S GOT IN HIS
HAND.
THEY WERE RUBBING THE BACK OF
HIS ARM, BUT THAT CLEARLY WAS A
LOOK AT TRYING TO SEE HOW HIS
FEELING WAS IN HIS FINGERS.
>> YOU SAW THAT GLOVE, MOLDED
JUST PERFECTLY WITH A SPLINT TO
PREVENT THAT CHIP THUMB FRACTURE
THAT HE SUFFERED MIDSEASON.
MARVIN HARRISON OVERTHROWN BY
MANNING.
AGAIN UNDER PRESSURE, MANNING.
ARMEN, WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US?
>> WELL, JUST TO ADD A LITTLE
BIT, DAN, TO YOUR OBSERVATIONS,
BEN HAS A HUGE WELT ON HIS
TRICEP AREA IN THE BACK OF THAT
RIGHT ARM.
AND, AS YOU SAID, THE TEAM
DOCTOR HAS KIND OF BEEN
SCRATCHING RIGHT ABOVE THE WRIST
AREA, TRYING TO SEE IF THERE'S
SOME SENSATION THAT BEN CAN FEEL
IN THAT RIGHT ARM.
HE'S REALLY BEEN WORKING ON IT.
WE'LL SEE HOW IT AFFECTS BEN
WHEN HE COMES BACK OUT.
BACK TO YOU.
>> AND NONPLUSSED IS
ROETHLISBERGER.
HE DIDN'T WINCE AS THEY WERE
WORKING ON HIM.
SO, FROM THAT IMAGE, IT DOESN'T
APPEAR TO BE SERIOUS.
WE'LL SEE.
SERIOUS NOW FOR MANNING.
THIRD AND 10 DEEP IN HIS OWN
END.
HERE THEY COME.
AND MANNING -- THAT'S A SAFETY!
>> THAT'S A SAFETY.
>> OH!
>> THEY'RE GONNA PUT HIM AT THE
1.
>> THEY GAVE HIM PROGRESS AT THE
1, AND THAT WAS GENEROUS AT
BEST.
JAMES FARRIOR WITH A CHARGE ON
MANNING.
>> IT'S WHERE YOU GET HIT, NOT
WHERE YOU END UP.
I THOUGHT HE ACTUALLY WAS AT THE
GOAL LINE WHEN HE GOT HIT.
BUT LET'S TAKE A GOOD LOOK AND
BE DEFINITIVE ABOUT IT.
NO, THAT'S A GOOD -- HIS FEET
WERE IN THE FIELD OF PLAY WHEN
HE FIRST GOT HIT.
GIVE PETE MORELLI -- THAT'S A
GOOD SPOT.
NOW THAT I LOOK AT IT A SECOND
TIME, THAT'S A GOOD SPOT BY
PETE MORELLI.
BUT OH, SO CLOSE.
>> AND NOW HUNTER SMITH HAS TO
KICK IN A 10-YARD SNAP FROM THE
BACK OF HIS END ZONE.
HE DRIVES IT OUT.
THIS IS A GREAT RETURN
OPPORTUNITY FOR
ANTWAAN RANDLE EL, WHO HAD TWO
SCORES THIS YEAR.
AND HE'S ALL THE WAY TO THE
30-YARD LINE BEFORE JUSTIN SNOW,
THE MAN WHO SNAPPED THE BALL,
CAN MAKE THE TACKLE.
EIGHT YEARS -- HE'S NEVER MISSED
A GAME, PEYTON MANNING, AND ONLY
FIVE TIMES HAS THE DEFENSE HELD
HIM UNDER 50% PASSING.
AND HE'S RIGHT AT THAT LEVEL
AGAINST THE STEELERS TODAY.
>> WELL, HOW CAN YOU HAVE A
DRIVE WORSE THAN THAT?
RUNNING FOR YOUR LIFE FROM
CASEY HAMPTON, A SEVERE
OVERTHROW, AND A SACK ALMOST FOR
A SAFETY.
>> AND THEN, ON THE PUNT RETURN,
30-YARD LINE FOR THE STEELERS.
AND WILLIE PARKER, WHO GETS 10,
ALMOST 11 YARDS, AS THE STEELERS
INVADE THE 20-YARD LINE.
SANDERS AND DOSS, THE TWO
SAFETIES, WITH THE TACKLE.
>> WHEN THE COLTS TRY TO GET OUT
OF THEIR OWN END ZONE, THEY GET
THE BALL AT THEIR 9-YARD LINE.
NOBODY BOTHERS TO BLOCK
NOSE TACKLE CASEY HAMPTON.
THAT'S NOT DWIGHT FREENEY.
THAT'S NOT L.C. GREENWOOD.
THAT'S NOT JOE GREENE.
THAT'S A RUN PLAYER.
THAT IS A GUY WHOSE JOB IT IS TO
STUFF THE RUN.
AND YET YOU GET YOUR QUARTERBACK
FLUSHED OUT OF THE POCKET.
>> "I HAD HIM."
>> CASEY.
>> HE HAD HIM.
CASEY'S TELLING HIM.
"I WAS GONNA GET HIM."
>> THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN CASEY'S
FIRST SACK IN A LONG TIME.
>> JEROME BETTIS NOW AT FULLBACK
OR TAILBACK, AND HE GETS THE
CALL.
AND BETTIS, A BIG HOLE, FINALLY
CHOPPED DOWN AT THE 13-YARD
LINE.
AND THE TERRIBLE TOWELS ARE OUT,
AS WITH AN 11-POINT LEAD, THE
STEELERS ARE DEEP IN COLTS
TERRITORY.
THAT'S JOHNNIE AND
GLADYS BETTIS, THE MOTHER AND
FATHER.
JEROME TOLD US HE GETS THOSE
QUICK FEET FROM HIS MOTHER, WHO
LOVES TO DANCE.
>> AND THEY HAVE NEVER MISSED A
REGULAR-SEASON GAME THAT
JEROME BETTIS HAS PLAYED SINCE
HE CAME INTO THE
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.
>> ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?
200-PLUS GAMES.
>> THAT IS BEYOND BELIEF.
THEY ONLY HAVE EVER MISSED TWO
PRESEASON GAMES -- ONE IN MEXICO
AND I THINK ONE IN, LIKE, JAPAN.
>> IT WAS JAPAN.
BETTIS FALLING FORWARD TO THE
11-YARD LINE.
THAT WON'T BE ENOUGH FOR THE
FIRST DOWN.
BRINGS UP THIRD DOWN.
IS IT BETTIS' FINAL SEASON WITH
THE STEELERS?
THERE'S CONSIDERABLE SPECULATION
ABOUT THAT.
>> I DID THE SUGAR BOWL WHEN
THIS YOUNG MAN WAS A SOPHOMORE
AT NOTRE DAME.
AND I REMEMBER ONE TIME, WHEN HE
BROKE A 50-SOME-YARD RUN, RAN
AWAY FROM THE DEFENSIVE BACKS.
I TURNED TO FRANK GIFFORD, AND I
MADE SOME COMMENT ABOUT "DID YOU
JUST SEE WHAT I SAW?"
AND LITTLE DID I KNOW HOW LONG I
WAS GONNA CONTINUE TO KEEP
SEEING HIM.
>> WHAT A GREAT ATHLETE AND WHAT
A GREAT PERSONALITY TO MATCH.
AND HE'S UP THE MIDDLE.
HE'S DOWN TO THE 1-YARD LINE.
ALMOST A TOUCHDOWN FOR BETTIS,
WHO IS THE CLOSER, AS HE
DESCRIBES HIMSELF.
HE HAD 52 YARDS LAST WEEK
AGAINST CINCINNATI, 91 CAREER
TOUCHDOWNS IN THE REGULAR
SEASON.
>> WELL, KUDOS TO THE GUYS UP
FRONT.
THAT IS GREAT BLOCKING.
THAT'S OUTSTANDING BLOCKING.
MIKE DOSS DOESN'T WRAP UP.
HE JUST KIND OF GETS LUCKY.
HE COMES IN LOW, AND, REALLY,
BETTIS KIND OF TRIPS OVER HIM.
BUT THAT WAS SUPERIOR BLOCKING
UP FRONT.
>> THEY SPOT THE KNEE DOWN AT
THE 2, WHERE IT'LL BE FIRST AND
GOAL.
AND TIME-OUT HAS BEEN CALLED.
IT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD FOR THE
FAITHFUL OF THE
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS WITH THE
STEELERS, ANOTHER IMPRESSIVE
DRIVE.
AND IT'S THE BUS, JEROME BETTIS,
WHO LINES UP AT TAILBACK.
>> KREIDER AT FULLBACK -- A LOT
OF BEEF.
>> THE BUS -- STOPPED AT THE 1.
DID HE FUMBLE THE BALL?
NO, THEY'RE GONNA RULE IT DOWN.
HE LOST THE BALL.
THERE WAS A SCRAMBLE IN THE END
ZONE, BUT IT'S RULED DOWN AT THE
1-YARD LINE.
WHERE DO YOU TACKLE
JEROME BETTIS?
YOU LOOK AT THAT BODY.
YOU HAVE TO AIM LOW IF YOU'RE A
LITTLE GUY, AND THAT'S WHAT DOSS
AND SANDERS HAVE DONE.
>> AND YET HE IS SO THICK
THROUGH THE LEGS THAT IF YOU
DON'T GO SO LOW THAT YOU TAKE
HIS LEGS AWAY FROM HIM, HE'S
GONNA BREAK YOUR HELMET.
THOSE THIGHS WILL SHATTER YOUR
FACE MASK.
LOOK AT THOSE THINGS.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
>> THE BUS IS IN THE TOUCHDOWN
GARAGE AGAIN!
JEROME BETTIS WITH SOME
PITTSBURGH FROSTING IN
INDIANAPOLIS -- 20-3.
>> AGAIN, HIS MOM AND DAD
CELEBRATING.
BILL COWHER SPITTING.
STEELERS FOOTBALL.
MUCH TO THE DISMAY OF EVERYONE
WEARING BLUE.
>> 30 YARDS IN 6 PLAYS AFTER THE
PUNT RETURN BY RANDLE EL.
>> THE GOOD NEWS IS, HE GETS UP
IN THE AIR.
THE BAD NEWS IS, HE LANDED ON
SOMEBODY.
>> AND THAT'S THE KIND OF
GESTURE -- "YOU BET.
WE CAME HERE TO WIN, AND WE GOT
THEM RIGHT WHERE WE WANT THEM."
>> WELL, BECAUSE BILL COWHER --
NOT MANY COACHES IN THIS LEAGUE
COULD TAKE THE AIR OUT OF THE
FOOTBALL LIKE BILL COWHER.
WE'RE GONNA SEE THE STEELER
GROUND GAME.
WE'RE GONNA SEE A WHOLE BUNCH OF
IT EVERY TIME PITTSBURGH GETS
THE BALL NOW.
>> JEFF REED ADDS THE EXTRA
POINT, AND IT'S 21-3.
JEROME BETTIS WITH A PAYOFF FROM
A YARD OUT ON A 6-PLAY, 30-YARD
DRIVE THAT BOOSTS THE STEELER
LEAD HERE LATE IN THE THIRD
QUARTER, JUST 1:26 REMAINING IN
THE THIRD PERIOD, TO 21-3.
>> BUT, THEN AGAIN, YOU KNOW,
TOUCHDOWN DRIVES, YOU CAN SEE A
LOT OF THEM THAT START ON THE
30-YARD LINE.
>> THAT SHORT FIELD IS A COACH'S
DREAM.
AND BETTIS, WHO HAS ACCEPTED HIS
ROLE -- HE KNOWS THAT PARKER IS
THE STARTER, WILL PLAY MOST OF
THE GAMES.
HE SAYS, "HE CAN DO HIS WORK.
I'LL PICK UP THE SPARES," A
BOWLING TERM.
HE'S A BIG -- ONCE BOWLED A 300
GAME.
THIS IS DOMINIC RHODES, AND
DOMINIC MAKES IT TO THE 29-YARD
LINE.
THE STEELERS SAID THERE WAS A
FUMBLE ON THE PLAY.
NOT SO SIGNALED BY THE
OFFICIALS.
>> I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY RULE
IT DOWN YET.
>> MIKE LOGAN COMES OUT OF THE
PILE WITH IT.
AND THEY SAY HE WAS DOWN BY
CONTACT.
WHAT DOES PEYTON MANNING HAVE
IN THAT RIGHT ARM NOW TO INSPIRE
THE COLTS?
SO FAR, 14 OUT OF 22 FOR
ROETHLISBERGER, AND MANNING ONE
INCOMPLETE PASS FROM .500 ON
THE DAY.
IT'S CHIDI IUWOMA, RESERVE
DEFENSIVE BACK, SPECIAL TEAMER,
INJURED ON THE KICK RETURN.
THEY WERE 13-0 IN LATE NOVEMBER,
LOOKING AT THE PERFECT SEASON.
OF COURSE, THAT WAS THE TALK
AROUND THE NATION, THE NFL.
WOULD THEY BE THE LONG-FORGOTTEN
UNBEATEN TEAM FOR AN ENTIRE
SEASON, MATCHING THE
MIAMI DOLPHINS?
AND SAN DIEGO CHARGERS, A 3-4
DEFENSE, AND THEY PUT PRESSURE
ON MANNING THROUGHOUT THE DAY
AND DEFEATED THE COLTS, 26-17.
AS DAN POINTED OUT EARLIER, THE
STUDY OF THOSE TAPES BY ALL THE
DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS AROUND
THE LEAGUE MIGHT HAVE OPENED
SOME OF THE SECRETS, AND THE
STEELERS HAVE JUST OUTPLAYED
THEM.
HERE COMES PORTER.
AND INCOMPLETE, THE PASS,
INTENDED FOR BRYAN FLETCHER.
>> YEAH.
YOU KNOW, DICK, IT'S NOT SO MUCH
A SECRET AS IT IS HOW TO GET IT
DONE.
I MEAN, IT'S ALL PRESSURE.
PRESSURE IS THE SAME THING THAT
DEFEATS EVERY QUARTERBACK.
AND THE QUESTION IS, THIS
OFFENSIVE LINE FROM INDIANAPOLIS
HAS ALWAYS DONE SUCH A GOOD JOB.
PEYTON DOES SUCH A GOOD JOB
GETTING RID OF THE BALL IN A
HURRY.
PRESSURE IS NOT HEART.
IT'S NOT EASY TO COME BY.
AND YET NOW THE STEELERS ARE
DOING IT, TOO.
IT'S UNDENIABLE THAT THEY'RE
GETTING IT DONE IN MANNING'S
FACE.
>> AND MEANWHILE,
MARVIN HARRISON HAS ONLY ONE
CATCH, THAT ONE-HANDED --
POLAMALU!
THAT WAS SIMILAR TO THE MOVE HE
MADE AGAINST CINCINNATI ON THE
INTERCEPTION LAST WEEKEND IN THE
SECOND HALF.
>> OH, HE UNDERCUTS
REGGIE WAYNE, AND, BOY, DOES HE
LAY OUT FOR THIS FOOTBALL.
LOOK AT THIS CLOSE BY
TROY POLAMALU.
SEE, HE'S AT THE SAFETY, BUT
HE'S GONNA UNDERCUT WAYNE.
THERE HE COMES UNDERNEATH, AND,
MAN ALIVE, DOES HE LAY OUT FOR
THAT THING.
LOOK HOW CLOSE THAT WAS TO A
PICK.
THIS GUY HAS MORE ATHLETICISM IN
HIS LITTLE FINGER THAN A LOT OF
GUYS HAVE ALL OVER.
HE IS SOMETHING ELSE.
>> WELL, MANNING'S SAID HE'S
NEVER SEEN ANYONE COVER SO MUCH
GROUND AS A DEFENSIVE PLAYER AS
POLAMALU.
OUT OF THE BACKFIELD.
EDGERRIN JAMES.
TWISTS AWAY FROM HOPE AND ACROSS
THE 35.
BUT THAT LEAVES LITTLE HOPE --
FOURTH AND 2.
>> YEAH, CHRIS HOPE, HE HUNG IN
THERE.
HE DIDN'T GET HIM CLEANLY THE
FIRST TIME, BUT RATHER THAN FALL
OFF, HE STAYED WITH HIM.
AND THE CROWD HERE -- YOU KNOW,
PEYTON MANNING WANTS TO GO FOR
IT.
HE'S SENDING THE PUNT TEAM OFF
THE FIELD.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
TONY DUNGY SENDS THE PUNT TEAM
OUT.
THEY'RE HALFWAY OUT THERE, AND
PEYTON MANNING SHOOS THEM BACK.
>> FOURTH AND 2.
MANNING FEELS HE CAN GET THE
FIRST DOWN.
IF NOT, THIS GAME BASICALLY IS
GONNA GRIND TO A HALT HERE LATE
IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
>> TONY'S SAYING, "YOU TAKE
OWNERSHIP OF IT."
>> SO, THEY NEED 2 YARDS TO SPUR
ANY HOPE HERE.
AND LESS THAN THAT, IT'S THE
STEELERS' BALL DEEP IN
INDIANAPOLIS TERRITORY.
QUICK THROW.
COMPLETE.
BRANDON STOKLEY HAS HIS FIRST
CATCH OF THE GAME, AND HE'S
CLOSE TO MIDFIELD AND A FIRST
DOWN.
THE GAMBLE PAID FOR MANNING AND
THE COLTS.
OH, MY!
AND NOW THE FOURTH QUARTER OPENS
WITH THE COLTS CONVERTING A
GAMBLE ON FOURTH AND 2 DEEP IN
THEIR OWN END -- A COMPLETED
PASS TO BRANDON STOKLEY.
SO, IT'S INDIANAPOLIS ON THEIR
OWN 49, TRAILING THE STEELERS,
21-3.
QUICK THROW TO REGGIE WAYNE, AND
WAYNE GETS VERY LITTLE, AS
JAMES FARRIOR READ THAT SLIP
SCREEN.
>> WELL, EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT
HOW FAST THE COLTS DEFENSE IS.
I THINK THE STEELERS DEFENSE
MIGHT HAVE READ MAYBE ONE STORY
TOO MANY ABOUT THAT, 'CAUSE
THEY'RE PUTTING ON A PRETTY GOOD
DISPLAY OF THEIR OWN ABOUT HOW
QUICKLY THEY CAN GET TO THE
FOOTBALL.
THEY ARE FLYING TO THE BALL WITH
NOT JUST ONE GUY -- MULTIPLE
TACKLERS GETTING THERE AT THE
SAME TIME.
>> SECOND DOWN AND 9.
HERE COMES THE BLITZ.
MANNING GOES.
HAS A MAN OPEN.
DALLAS CLARK, THE TIGHT END.
SPINS BACK.
20, 10.
CLARK.
TOUCHDOWN!
>> PEYTON MANNING, WAVING OFF
THE PUNT TEAM, BUYS HIS TEAM A
TOUCHDOWN.
>> AND DALLAS CLARK, THE
NUMBER-ONE PICK OUT OF IOWA A
COUPLE YEARS AGO, A FARM KID
FROM LIVERMORE, IOWA.
PLAYED 8-MAN FOOTBALL IN THAT
PART OF THE COUNTRY.
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS
GREAT PASS PROTECTION.
LOOK HOW PEYTON MANNING IS ABLE
TO STEP UP INTO THE POCKET
AGAINST THIS STEELERS' ZONE.
DALLAS CLARK SITS DOWN, AND THEN
YOU THINK DALLAS CLARK CAN'T
RUN?
YOU THINK THE GUY CAN'T COVER A
LITTLE GROUND?
HE RAN AWAY FROM THE STEELERS
SECONDARY, INCLUDING POLAMALU.
>> 14:09 LEFT IN THE FOURTH
QUARTER.
THE 50-YARD TOUCHDOWN PASS,
MANNING TO DALLAS CLARK, AWAKENS
THIS CROWD.
IT'S 21-10, PITTSBURGH.
AND NOW LET'S SEE WHAT
TONY DUNGY'S DEFENSE CAN DO TO
CHECK BEN ROETHLISBERGER AND THE
STEELER "O."
CORTEZ, BIG, HIGH, SPINNING KICK
DOWN TO THE 4-YARD LINE TO
IKE TAYLOR.
NO, IT'S RICARDO COLCLOUGH.
AND COLCLOUGH OUT TO THE 26-YARD
LINE ON HIS FIRST RETURN OF THE
AFTERNOON.
NOW IT'S UP TO THE DEFENSE OF
THE COLTS TO MAINTAIN WHAT
LITTLE MOMENTUM WAS BUILT BY
THAT 50-YARD TOUCHDOWN PASS AND
THE GAMBLE BY MANNING ON FOURTH
AND 2 AT HIS OWN 36-YARD LINE.
>> IF EVER TONY DUNGY COULD
BESEECH HIS DEFENSE, AND
RON MEEKS THERE MAKING THE CALL
FOR A THREE-AND-OUT, THIS WOULD
BE THE MAGICAL TIME TO DO IT.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
>> AND THE CROWD SENSES JUST
THAT.
PARKER.
BREAKS A TACKLE.
AND PICKS UP 14 YARDS.
BOB SANDERS WITH THE STOP.
>> OH, AND MIKE DOSS HAD HIM.
MIKE DOSS HAD HIM AT THE LINE OF
SCRIMMAGE.
THAT'S THE DEFENSE THAT YOU DIAL
IT UP.
YOU GOT YOUR STRONG SAFETY RIGHT
THERE, AND HE JUST CAN'T WRAP
HIM UP.
MIKE DOSS JUST CAN'T BRING HIM
DOWN, AND WILLIE PARKER, WITH
THAT ELUSIVENESS.
>> OFFICIALLY, A 13-YARD RUN BY
PARKER, AND NOW HE HAS 53 IN THE
GAME, AS YOU CAN SEE.
RIGHT BACK TO PARKER.
>> I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT
BILL COWHER WITH A LEAD JUST
CONTINUES TO RUN THE FOOTBALL.
IT'S SO OUT OF CHARACTER.
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
>> HE'S GONNA POUND IT AT YOU
NOW.
>> BILL COWHER LEARNED A LONG
TIME AGO THE FUNDAMENTALS OF HOW
TO HOLD A LEAD.
HAVING THE OTHER TEAM'S OFFENSE
ON THE SIDELINE IS A BIG PART OF
IT.
>> CLOCK RUNNING, UNDER 13:00 TO
GO.
14 RUNS, ONLY 4 PASSES THIS HALF
FOR PITTSBURGH.
>> BUT WHEN THEY'RE RUNNING LIKE
THIS, THIS IS WHEN BEN DOES
THROW THE BALL.
HE'S SO GOOD AT IT.
HE CAN BE SO SELECTIVE.
>> A RUN TO PARKER.
HE JUST ACCELERATES SO QUICKLY
ON THE TURN UPFIELD.
MAKES IT TO THE 46, A LITTLE
MORE.
HE'S A COUPLE, 3 YARDS SHY OF A
FIRST DOWN.
BROCK AND HARPER MADE THE
TACKLE.
>> NINE AND COUNTING.
>> PARKER OUT, BETTIS IN.
KEN WHISENHUNT MAKING THE CALLS.
THAT'S DICK HOAK, THE VETERAN
COACH.
BEEN WITH THE STEELERS FOR FOUR
DECADES AS A PLAYER AND COACH.
>> AND KEN WHISENHUNT, A GUY
THAT IS -- HIS NAME'S IN PLAY.
HE'S LIABLE TO END UP A
HEAD COACH SOMEWHERE BEFORE NEXT
SEASON GETS STARTED.
>> THIRD AND 2.
STEELERS ARE 6-FOR-9 ON
THIRD DOWN TODAY.
BETTIS.
MAKE THAT -- WELL, IT'S GONNA BE
CLOSE.
THEY MAY HAVE TO MEASURE.
THE SPOT IS RIGHT ON THE
YARDSTICK.
SIMON AND BRACKETT TEAMED UP ON
THE TACKLE.
>> WELL, IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, YOUR
INITIAL THOUGHT WAS THAT
JEROME BETTIS WASN'T GONNA BE
CLOSE TO THIS.
AND THEN HE GOT THAT SECOND
DRIVE, AND HE GOT ABOUT A YARD
FURTHER THAN I THOUGHT HE WAS
GOING TO.
>> SEE TONY DUNGY SAY, "IT'S
CLOSE."
SO, FIRST DOWN, STEELERS, OR
FOURTH AND INCHES.
>> LOOKS LIKE IT'S GONNA BE
JUST INCHES SHORT.
>> YOU ARE RIGHT.
INCH, MAYBE.
>> MAN.
EAGLE EYES.
>> GREAT ONES NEVER LOSE IT.
THEY NEVER LOSE IT, THE GREAT
ONES.
>> [ Laughing ] YEAH.
ESPECIALLY IF YOU NEVER HAD IT.
>> SO, BILL COWHER --
>> LOOK AT THIS.
BILL COWHER IS GONNA GO FOR IT.
AT LEAST HE'S GONNA LINE UP LIKE
IT.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
I GUESS THAT LAST DRIVE OF THE
COLTS -- THE WAY HIS DEFENSE
HAVE BEEN THROTTLING THE COLTS
BEFORE, I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT HE
WOULDN'T PUNT THE BALL AWAY.
THIS HAS TO BE BASED ON WHAT
INDIANAPOLIS DID LAST DRIVE.
>> AND INDIANAPOLIS JUMPS
OFFSIDE, POINTING AT THE
OFFENSIVE LINE OF THE STEELERS,
BUT NO FLAG THROWN BY THE
LINESMAN.
>> THERE WAS CONTACT IN THERE,
SO SOMEBODY'S GOT TO PAY.
>> THE LINESMAN WHO CAME IN FROM
THE FAR SIDE DIDN'T THROW A
FLAG.
HE JUST REACTED TO THE CONTACT
ON THE PLAY.
>> WELL, THEY HAVE TO DO
SOMETHING.
>> THERE'S NO FOUL ON THE PLAY.
OFFENSE DID NOT MOVE.
DEFENSE DID NOT COME ACROSS AND
MAKE CONTACT.
WE'LL REPLAY THE DOWN, FOURTH
DOWN.
>> NOBODY MADE CONTACT?
BILL COWHER'S SAYING, "THAT'S
NOT POSSIBLE."
THEY'RE ENTIRE DEFENSIVE TEAM
CAME ACROSS THE BALL.
NOW SOMEBODY DID FLINCH.
IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEBODY IN THE
INTERIOR FLINCHED.
PETE MORELLI IS SAYING THAT NO
ONE FROM INDIANAPOLIS MADE
CONTACT?
>> WELL, THE NO-CALL MAY BE THE
JUSTICE RULING.
>> WELL, I JUST DIDN'T THINK --
I DIDN'T THINK A NO-CALL'S AN
OPTION.
NOW LET'S SEE IF THERE'S A
TWITCH OVER THERE BY THE LEFT
GUARD SOMEWHERE.
OH, ALAN FANECA.
ALAN FANECA DID TWITCH.
THAT IS A FALSE START.
WELL, PETE MORELLI JUST WANTS
THIS PLAY TO GO AWAY.
AND, BY THE WAY, A FALSE START,
IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF REVIEW.
IT'S NOT A CASE WHERE YOU GO
UPSTAIRS AND DETERMINE THERE WAS
A FALSE START.
THAT'S OUTSIDE THE PARAMETERS OF
REVIEW.
>> ROETHLISBERGER AT 241, ALWAYS
A THREAT TO SNEAK IN THIS
SITUATION, AND HE DOES.
HE'S STACKED UP AND ROLLS OFF
THE PILE.
AND LET'S SEE THE MARK.
IT'S GONNA BE INTERESTING.
>> WELL, IT LOOKED TO ME LIKE
THE ONLY SURGE FORWARD THAT BEN
GOT WAS WHEN HE GOT HIT FROM
BEHIND BY JEROME BETTIS.
>> THE BUS WITH A LITTLE BUMPER
JOB, HUH?
>> HE WAS PLAYING REGGIE BUSH
THERE, I THINK.
>> SHADES OF NOTRE DAME, UP TO
THE NORTH OF OUR LOCATION.
IT LOOKS AS IF HE DID ADVANCE
THE BALL.
>> THERE MUST BE SOMETHING ABOUT
THIS BUILDING THAT MAKES
BILL COWHER TAKE RISKS.
REMEMBER WHEN HE STARTED THE
SECOND HALF OF THAT MONDAY-NIGHT
GAME WITH AN ONSIDE KICK AND
DIDN'T GET IT AND GAVE
INDIANAPOLIS GREAT FIELD
POSITION, AND THEY SCORED?
THIS IS OUT OF CHARACTER.
>> YEAH, 21-10 LEAD.
YOU HAVE 11 MINUTES LEFT IN THE
GAME.
AND HE TAKES THE RISK AND HAS
THE REWARD.
>> HE GOT THE REWARD.
[ CROWD BOOS ]
GIVE HIM CREDIT -- BILL.
YOU GOT HIM.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
AT FIRST, BEN ISN'T GOING HARDLY
ANYWHERE.
HERE COMES JEROME BETTIS IN.
[ Laughing ] HE HELPS GIVE BEN A
LITTLE BIT OF A PUSH.
TRYING TO GO RIGHT BEHIND
KENDALL SIMMONS AND HARTINGS.
AND THEN HE GETS A LITTLE HELP
FROM BETTIS.
AND HE GOT WHAT I THOUGHT IS A
PRETTY DARN GOOD SPOT.
>> YEAH, HE DID.
SO, FIRST DOWN FOR THE STEELERS,
AND BETTIS STAYS IN.
AND ROETHLISBERGER WITH A THROW.
INCOMPLETE.
INTENDED FOR HINES WARD.
COVERED BY NICK HARPER.
HARPER'S PLAYED A SOLID GAME,
CONSIDERING ALL HE'S GONE
THROUGH IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.
>> WELL, RIGHT NOW THE COLTS ARE
PROTECTING A LEAD BUT FEELING A
LITTLE VICTIMIZED, BECAUSE THAT
LAST EXCHANGE RIGHT THERE,
ALAN FANECA DID QUIVER AT LEFT
GUARD.
THAT WAS AN OFFENSE, AND IT
WASN'T CALLED, AND THEN THEY
WENT AHEAD AND SNUCK IT, AND
THEY GOT ON THE SNEAK, AND THEY
GOT THE FIRST DOWN.
SO, THE COLTS RIGHT NOW
DEFENSIVELY -- DON'T LOSE FOCUS
JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE HAD A
COUPLE BAD THINGS GO AGAINST
YOU.
>> BALL RIGHT IN THE EARHOLE OF
THE HELMET PAINTED ON THE MIDDLE
OF THE FIELD, AND THE STEELERS,
THAT'S KIND OF SYMBOLIC OF THE
WAY THEY PLAYED TODAY.
AND THERE'S ANOTHER BIG RUN BY
BETTIS, POWERING HIS WAY DOWN TO
THE 41-YARD LINE, CLOSE TO
ANOTHER FIRST DOWN.
>> THE GUY CAN STILL PLAY.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF
SPECULATION AS TO WHETHER THIS
13th YEAR IS GONNA BE THE LAST
FOR JEROME BETTIS.
NOW, OF COURSE, IT'S A LOT
EASIER TO PLAY WHEN YOU'RE
GETTING BLOCKING LIKE THAT --
JUST OUTSTANDING WORK.
TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
ALAN FANECA AND HARTINGS,
MARVEL SMITH, KENDALL SIMMONS,
MAX STARKS -- THEY ARE REALLY
ASSERTING THEMSELVES IN RUNNING
THE BALL.
AND PEYTON MANNING ONLY A
SPECTATOR.
AND I THINK THE FRUSTRATION
SHOWS.
>> THIRD DOWN AND A FOOT.
BETTIS AND HAYNES NOW IN THE
BACKFIELD.
AND JEROME BETTIS.
HIT AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.
IT'LL BE CLOSE.
IT APPEARS IT'S MARKED SHORT.
THEY NEEDED TO CROSS THE 41, AND
IT'S BEING SPOTTED OUTSIDE THE
41.
REFEREE MORELLI CALLS FOR TIME
AND A MEASUREMENT.
>> I THINK IF THIS ISN'T GOOD
ENOUGH FOR A FIRST DOWN, I THINK
BILL HAS ALREADY DECLARED
HIMSELF AS TO WHAT WE'LL SEE ON
FOURTH DOWN.
>> MARVIN HARRISON AND HIS
PLAYOFF RECORD HAS BEEN
STUNNING.
AND IN FACT IT ISN'T REALLY THAT
CLOSE AND ALMOST A FULL YARD
FROM A FIRST DOWN.
BUT HARRISON, WHO IS SUCH A
DOMINANT WIDE RECEIVER AND
PLAYER, SO PRODUCTIVE IN THIS
OFFENSE, HAS ONLY ONE CATCH --
THAT CATCH EARLY IN THE GAME --
THE FIRST RECEPTION BY THE COLTS
TODAY, ONE-HANDED FOR 24 YARDS.
BUT IN HIS OTHER 4 PLAYOFF
GAMES, HE'S BEEN WAY BELOW HIS
SEASON AVERAGE, IN TERMS OF
CATCHES, YARDS, AND TOUCHDOWNS.
>> WELL, A MONSTROUS DOWN FOR
INDIANAPOLIS AND THEIR DEFENSE
RIGHT NOW.
[ CROWD CHEERS ]
>> MANNING WARMING UP, HOPING
THAT HE'LL GET A CHANCE TO COME
ON THE FIELD AFTER THIS PLAY.
HE WANTS THE DEFENSE WITH A
STOP.
BETTIS LINES UP DEEP.
JEROME PLOWS.
OH, IT'S GONNA BE CLOSE.
>> OH, I THINK HE GOT IT.
>> THE LINESMAN ON THIS SIDE IS
MARKING IT JUST OUTSIDE THE 40.
AND THAT MIGHT BE GOOD ENOUGH.
>> WHERE THE LINESMAN WAS
INITIALLY RUNNING TO SPOT IT, IT
SURE LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOOD.
>> THE TWO LINESMAN BOTH
SPRINTING IN FROM THEIR
POSITIONS.
>> NOW WHERE THEY PUT THE BALL,
IT'S BACK AWAY FROM THE 40 A
LITTLE BIT.
I THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA BE ABOUT
A FOOT CLOSER.
THIS IS GONNA BE TIGHT.
>> IF HE MAKES IT, IT'LL BE TWO
STRAIGHT FOURTH-AND-INCHES
CONVERSIONS.