PITTSBURGH -- The New England Patriots jumped out to a big lead in the first half and played well to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game at Heinz Field Sunday night.
The Steelers fought back but could not catch up.
Is this really an end or is it just a beginning?
The Pittsburgh Steelers took a step toward their future when they brought Ben Roethlisberger to the team last year. This rookie quarterback added excitement to the city of Pittsburgh when he took over for Tommy Maddox. His winning streak broke rookie records but maybe he was not ready for the playoffs.
Thousands of diehard fans, not just in Pittsburgh, have always supported the team in good times and bad. This year was no different. New fans joined the black and gold ranks to cheer on the team.
On Sunday night, the New England Patriots played a great game and were able to score several times against a strong Pittsburgh defense. The Steelers offense connected a few times on a couple of good drives but they were not able to score enough points.
By halftime the score was 24-3. Pittsburgh’s Jeff Reed kicked a field goal to put the Steelers on the board. Roethlisberger was intercepted twice in the first half.
At the start of the second the half, Roethlisberger connected with Antwaan Randle El for a long pass. Jerome Bettis finished the drive with a touchdown run.
Randle El and Bettis continued to add emotion by adding two good runs, followed by a catch and great run by Hines Ward at the end of the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger threw a pass to Plaxico Burress in the end zone but Burress could not hold on. Reed finished the drive with another field goal. The Patriots still led but the Steelers are adding points, 31-20.
Near the end of the fourth quarter, Burress scored a touchdown, but the Steelers ran out of time.
The Patriots contained Pittsburgh and won 41-27. New England will play the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Fl., in two weeks.
Coach Bill Cowher and his staff deserves a lot of credit for building a great team and it looks like there is hope for the future.
AFC Championship: Game Summary |
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Loss Brings Ward To Tears
