Steelers To The Super Bowl, Sounds Familiar

The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading back to the Super Bowl, and this time they are tying the Dallas Cowboys for the most trips ever with eight. Smart money would say pick the Steelers if you are looking for a straight winner, as they are 6-1 in the previous seven that they were in. They were able to do it with a dominating first half, and key plays in the second half to hold off a comeback attempt by the loud mouth New York Jets.

It all started with the running game for the Steelers, they were able to give it to Rashard Mendenhall in that first half and he ran all over the Jets, seemingly breaking a couple of tackles on each nimble run. He was slowed in the second half a bit, but as still able to end with 121 yards on his 27 carries. He was able to punch the Jets in the mouth, one that took the whole first half for them to recover from. The opening drive that the Steelers scored on was nine minutes long.

The defense was also deadly in the first half, forcing the Jets into multiple three and outs, and the Jets did not get a first down until their final drive of the first half that led to a field goal and some much needed momentum. Previous to that drive however, Sanchez was sacked and fumbled, and the ball was picked up and run in for a touchdown by William Gay, making it 24-0 Steelers.

The second half was a different story, especially on the offensive side of the ball for the Steelers. Mendenhall only had 26 of his yards after halftime, and the Steelers failed to score any more points. The defense had their struggles too, as they gave up a deep touchdown score to Santonio Holmes, and were unable to stop the Jets as they had in the first two quarters.

You have to give the Jets, and particularly Mark Sanchez, credit because they did not give up when it was 24-0 nothing and the Steelers seemed unbeatable. They plugged away though, and injuries to the Steelers (most notably Pouncey at center) lent a hand to their storming back.

The Steelers defense won the game though when they were able to shut the Jets down with a goaline stand and the Jets did not score after that, besides a safety on a botched quarterback-center exchange.

The Steelers were able to win the game though by trusting in Ben Roethlisberger. They put the ball in the hands of the man that has led them to two previous Super Bowls, that they then won, and said on third down you throw the ball for the win. Which if they do not complete suddenly the Jets have new life. But Ben completed the pass and then with a few kneel downs the Steelers are back in the Super Bowl.

They were able to win with a team effort, offense, defense, special teams all stepped up when they needed to. That is what should be anticipated in the Super Bowl too, because that is how Mike Tomlin will always have them playing.