It was a matter of bragging rights, a matter of pride. For one team it would be to overcome a long time obstacle, for another it would be the opportunity to prove others wrong. The fight was to proclaim, just who exactly was top dog. It would turn into a battle, though not pretty by football standards, perhaps equivalent to a fight between junkyard dogs, to declare their dominance.
In a game, where the Cleveland Browns wanted to prove that everyone was right, the ones that the media had touted as being the team to beat, and the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to remind everyone, that they were the AFC North Champions and for anyone to get that title, the Browns would have to get past them first. In the past nine times they’ve met, the Browns had failed to do so.
Fans expected a blowout and they got one, just not the type they expected. It was expected for Derek Anderson to be able to beat the Steelers in the air. However, Mother Nature in the form of Ike, had different plans. Perhaps it was fitting, at least for Steelers fans, that 50 to 60 mph winds would force the game to the ground, or would it?
Pittsburgh had the advantage, not just in history but also because they were facing a beat up Cleveland Browns, but injuries didn’t stop the Browns. Their oline protected Derek Anderson from the rush of the Pittsburgh blitz, allowing Anderson only to be sacked twice, at the end of the game, both times by Aaron Smith.
How much praise can be given to the Steelers defense? After all, once again, this is the Steelers defense we know and still get excited for when they do well. To watch Troy Polamalu all over the field, and with his interception in the endzone, all I could yell was “yes, Samson is back”. To see Bryant McFadden come in with the other interception, in a ball that the wind destined for him, though Derek Anderson intended for someone else. To do this, and also keep Jamal Lewis under 50 yds rushing, continues to prove Dick LeBeau’s defense is still one of the best in the league. So I’m a homer, sue me.
I would venture to say that there was a collective moan when we found out about Ben Roethlisberger’s shoulder. Despite the weather and the shoulder, and being hit several times by a Mack truck called “Baby”, Ben managed to execute the game and help lead the Steelers to their 10th straight win against the Browns, keeping Ben’s streak of never having lost in the state of Ohio since he started in the NFL. Of course, another stud on offense would once again be Wi
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