Saturday, December 24, 2005
The Steelers routed the Browns, 41-0, and got help from the Chiefs.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CLEVELAND -- A lot of Steelers fans spent last Christmas worrying if their team had peaked too early. With one more win this season, they won't have to worry about whether they peaked too late.
"We control our destiny," said Steelers coach Bill Cowher, following his team's 41-0 rout of Cleveland on Saturday. "That's a good situation to be in."
And if that weren't good enough, the Kansas City Chiefs gave Pittsburgh an early Christmas present -- a 20-7 win over the Chargers. The Steelers can now clinch a playoff berth with a win at home next Sunday against the lowly Detroit Lions.
"We know the path ahead of us," Cowher said. "It's a tough journey but the guys are looking forward to it.
"I think we're getting better as a football team and I think we need to."
Defense has been sharp, too
Tough to argue. As good as the Steelers were on offense, their defense might have been better. Pittsburgh (10-5) out-gained the Browns 457-178, forced five fumbles and held them to just 2 conversions out of 16 third downs.
Any lingering memories from the Steelers' earlier three-game losing streak have been wiped away with three straight wins.
Saturday's win might have been the most impressive of the season. The Steelers took a 17-0 lead before the Browns had even gained a first down (Cleveland had just one in the first half), held Cleveland to minus-1 rushing yard in the first half and garnered their first shutout of the Browns since 2000.
It was Pittsburgh's second-biggest win in the rivalry. Only a 43-0 shutout in 1999 -- Cleveland's first game -- was worse.
"We were beaten by a very good football team," said Browns coach Romeo Crennel. "We couldn't do anything on either side of the ball and that is what happens when you get beat like that.
"We thought that we had made a little more progress and were able to do some things but we couldn't get it done today."
Roethlisberger is a gem
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looked spectacular against the overmatched Cleveland defense, completing 13 of 20 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown before giving way to Charlie Batch early in the fourth quarter. Roethlisberger seems to have recovered from his thumb injury earlier in the season and even drew smiles from Cowher this week when he started overthrowing his receivers in practice.
"That's a good sign," Cowher said. "It means he feels good.
"I think he's a better quarterback now than he was last year."
That's high praise considering Roethlisberger went 13-0 in the regular season last year and led the Steelers to the AFC championship game.
"I'm a lot more confident with the offense this year," said Roethlisberger. "Things are a little bit slower.
"Of course, it helps when you have an offensive line dominating up front and receivers that catch everything."
Ward is standout
Steelers wideout Hines Ward, who was snubbed in the Pro Bowl balloting earlier this week, was predictably good, catching seven passes for 105 yards and a TD. Former Browns wide receiver Quincy Morgan added a 31-yard TD reception late in the game.
"Quincy Morgan don't need nothing else for Christmas," Morgan said.
Browns rookie Charlie Frye played his worst game since taking over for Trent Dilfer three weeks ago, completing 20 of 39 passes for 183 yards. He also fumbled four times (losing one) and was sacked eight times.
"He had a tough game today," Crennel said of Frye. "But he was tough. It was a learning experience for him. Hopefully he will learn from it and be better his next time out."
Steelers glow
The Steelers, meanwhile, probably couldn't hope to play any better.
And Cowher thinks his team is peaking at the right time.
"We have to," he said. "We don't have a choice. We were put in that situation by losing those three games in a row."
But after last year's heartbreaking loss to the Patriots in the playoffs, Steeler fans might start wondering if this is their year.
"It's hard to argue with the numbers we're putting up," said Roethlisberger. "Hopefully we have our best football ahead of us."
scalzo@vindy.com