Today's game was a nail-biter primarily because of bad calls by the referees, all of which went against Pittsburgh (If I didn't know better, I'd think pro football has gone the way of boxing).
Polamalu's miraculous, but clean, fingertip interception of Manning’s pass was reversed on challenge, even though the replay showed that he caught it clean and retained possession.
On fourth and maybe a foot from around mid-field, two Colts defensive lineman literally ran across the line of scrimmage, pointing at the Steelers as if one of the offensive linemen had moved (which he hadn't). The officials stopped the game, conferred, and then didn't call a penalty. I never saw anything like it. Not only were the two Colt linemen falsely accusing a Steeler lineman of moving, but they themselves had contact with the Steeler line, which should have resulted in an offside call.
There was also blatantly obvious pass interference against the Steelers (can't recall who was involved) early in the game, which even a blind man could see on the replay, but no flag was thrown.
The last five minutes of the game were as exciting as any five minutes I've ever witnessed. When a Bettis fumble, recovered by Harper and taken downfield for a potential game-winning touchdown, was foiled by a last-ditch, desperate chase, and ankle-tackle, by Roethlisberger himself, there was little else of surprise that could happen. And, even though there were countless exciting plays, that may have been the play of the game.
Roethlisberger, Bettis, Parker and Polamalu (easily the best safety in football today … his instincts, speed, reflexes, determination, and strength are incredible) are all star players in their own right, and I've got a few friendly bets on their winning the AFC championship next Sunday. (We'll discuss Super Bowl Sunday once I collect next week's winnings. :)
The four aren't of the same incomparable caliber as the 70’s combination of Bradshaw/Swann/Harris/Green, but they come as close as any subsequent Steeler team has.
~ joanie