The Unforced Error Spells Doom
Too many unforced errors by the Pittsburgh Steelers eventually led to their demise. From virtually the beginning of the game to it's bitter end, the Steelers held the sword of might and destiny in their hands, but were utterly pulled asunder by the shackles of their own misfortune. To be sure, the Titans had their share of mishpas but the Steelers won the battle of self-abusement today:
- After a nice run by Amos to start the game, Burress slips and falls on a pass that probably should have never been thrown into double coverage. The interception was returned for decent yardage and the Titans wasted little time to put up 7 points.
- On the Titans next possession, on a 3rd and 16, the Steelers refused to rush McNair while at the same time refused to bump or even cover Bennett "underneath". Underneath in this case was 10 yards downfield and still a full 5 yards in front of the nearest defender. This has been a Steeler bane the entire season. The result was a huge gain, a huge first down and another easy TD march for the Titans to give them a 14 point lead. Of course the Steelers had other opportunities during this drive to stop the Titans but Foote missed an easy tackle on McNair for a first down and another wide-open Bennett caught a first down pass on 3rd and 8. Execution to this point in the game was shameful at best
- Back to the offense, the Steelers managed to drive the ball down to the 30 yard line and seemed to be on the verge of scoring... It was not to be. After a holding call, the Steelers were also flagged for a false start. Instead of having a 1st and 10 at the 30 - the Steelers found themselves 1st and 25 at the 45. No points.
- After the Steelers scored a TD, Chad Scott came up with a fine interception and the Steelers were on the march again. Just as the Steelers were within reach of tying the game, a tentative Maddox threw well behind a wide-open Burress that led to an injury and a mere FG. The Titans did nothing on this play to prevent a Pittsburgh TD and yet the Steelers were left thinking what could have been.
- So 14-10, still not bad considering how poorly the Steelers had played. Yet... The Steelers drove the ball in the waning seconds of the half all the way to the Titan 10 yard line. A TD would vault Pittsburgh into the lead and completely change the momentum going into the locker room at half. Instead, the Steelers call a single play on first down after a time out - a single play! The Steelers had plenty of time to get people set and run a second play on second down, but went the conservative route and spiked the ball. Wasting a play in the red-zone in the playoffs is a mortal sin. A critical error by the Steelers. So, on 3rd down, the Titans smartly blitzed the Steelers and sacked Maddox at the 20. There was about 16 or 17 seconds left - time the Steelers did not need at this point. Yet, is this not sufficient time to run a play at the 10 yard line on second down? Maybe just a fade route or a quick out... Alas, the Steelers settle for a FG.
The Steelers battled on and left an aging TE in Wycheck kill them for most of the second half. The Steelers battled on and gave golden field position to the Titans off the foot of Tom Rouen. The Steelers battled on and fought themselves and the Titans valiantly and miraculously tied the game at 28-28. Despite their own ineptitude, the Steelers had come all the way back. Now, could they finish them off?
The Steelers could not.
- A dropped first down by Burress forced Pittsburgh to kick a another red zone FG to take a meager 3-point lead.
- A timidly thrown short-hop to Mathis when the game was tied stall a late drive.
- A dropped ball by Ward close to a 1st down helped stall a late drive.
- Another bad punt gave the Titans life on their own 20.
- A missed tackle by Gildon on the Mason "pitch" and incredibly lazy coverage by Haggans allowed the Titans to get one last FG try.
Whew - the Steelers survive. The season is young and new once again
Overtime.
How did they respond? No pass rush, no blitzing, No harrasment - not seemingly playing to win from the outset.
Mistakes? It is hard to say with only a few plays, but the Steelers looked as bad as they have at any point in the year during overtime.
DW started the second play in OT by giving a huge 15 yard cushion to McCariens. Like seeing an accident about to happen, DW was too deep. By the time he gets to McCariens, he's in no man's land. He can't go for the tackle because he won't get there... He can't play back because it's only another 3 yards for a first down. Sure enough, DW gets easily juked and off trots McCariens - a woeful WR making a huge play courtesy of some very myopic decision making on part of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Then - the penalty. DW brushes Nedney on a missed FG and the game is over.
In the end, the Steelers committed far too many unforced errors to win the game. They could not stand prosperity for any length of time. Every moment the Lady of Fortune smiled upon them, the Steelers found many devious ways to shy away.
Once again, the Steeler faithful are left with the question - "What if?" It is a sad day indeed...
So ends the Steelers 2002 NFL football season. So ends the hopes and dreams of us all.