HEINZ FIELD Steelers shrug off struggles for a fun-filled home victory

Players were all smiles in the locker room after dismantling the Raiders.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- With the playoffs only a distant possibility, the Pittsburgh Steelers cast off the heavy baggage accumulated during their 4-8 start long enough to have some fun at the expense of a team whose fortunes have plummeted even more.
Smiles filled the Steelers' locker room at Heinz Field following Sunday's 27-7 dismantling of the Oakland Raiders (3-10), the defending AFC conference champions.
"Outside of the one drive on defense where they ran the ball effectively, I thought we did a good job, particularly on third down," said Steelers coach Bill Cowher.
Play-makers
Redemption was in the air for Pittsburgh -- wide receiver Plaxico Burress caught a 14-yard touchdown pass (only his second this season), Jerome Bettis surpassed the 100-yard barrier (the first Steeler to do so this season) and defensive ends Kimo von Oelhoffen (three) and Aaron Smith recorded sacks.
"We have been our own worst enemy, but we are overcoming it," Cowher said. "That's the sign of a strong team, a close team.
"We are a confident team -- I know confident sounds funny with us sitting here 5-8, but that is how you have to think," Cowher said.
Quarterback Tommy Maddox completed 19-of-28 passes for 266 yards. Wide receiver Hines Ward caught four for 67 yards.
Touchdowns by Burress and Bettis (11 yards) plus Jeff Reed's 44-yard field goal gave the Steelers a 17-7 halftime lead.
"Coach told us not to worry about the score, to play and have fun," Bettis said. "He encouraged us more than banging his head against us, and we responded."
Sloppy play
Not everything was fun and games. Sloppiness abounded, emphasized by three turnovers in the first four minutes of the second half (two by the Steelers).
They were followed by the Raiders' inept tackling on Antwaan Randle El's 52-yard punt return to the Oakland 19. Tim Johnson, the former Youngstown State standout, finally stopped Randle El at the 19, but grabbed his facemask.
That penalty -- one of nine by the Raiders for 85 yards -- gave the Steelers first-and-goal at the 9.
"Antwaan made some good runs, but there were some good key blocks," Ward said. "Special teams have been playing their tails off all year. They're probably the only group that has played consistent."
After two Bettis runs for a combined 8 yards, fullback Dan Kreider scored a 1-yard touchdown to ice the game.
Late in the game, Ward earned a lecture from Cowher when he caught a 7-yard pass from Maddox, then lateraled to tight end Mark Bruener, who ran 11 yards.
"No, I did not like the Hines lateral," Cowher said. "He knows I did not like it. It is fine as long as Mark Bruener is looking. I am not sure if Mark realized it was coming. It worked out fine and everyone is laughing, but you have to be careful."
Raiders' early lead
On the Steelers' second possession, Reed missed a 47-yard field goal attempt. The Raiders marched 63 yards on seven running plays with tailback Tyrone Wheatley breaking loose for a 22-yard touchdown.
The Steelers responded with their own drive, but settled for Reed's 44-yard field goal.
Bettis' touchdown put the Steelers ahead for good and capped a six-play, 69-yard drive that came after Larry Foote's block-in-the-back penalty negated a long punt return by Randle El.
Raiders quarterback Rick Mirer completed 10-of-25 passes for 68 yards and a dismal rating of 14.6.
"We fell behind in the second quarter and we had a couple of turnovers in the third quarter which we could not capitalize on," Raiders coach Bill Callahan said.
The Raiders' future Hall of Fame receivers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown were limited to five combined receptions (three by Brown for 19 yards and two by Rice for 27 yards).
Raiders running backs Wheatley and Charlie Garner had 22 carries for 122 yards.
williams@vindy.com