2004 Steelers 34 vs Patriots 20

[mcmillenandwife]

2004 Steelers 34 vs Patriots 20

A Halloween Nightmare for New England. Big Ben wins NFL Rookie of the Week honors for 5th straight week and ends New England's winning streak. The Patriots (6-0) come into the game having won 21 straight (counting the playoffs) and a league-record 18 in a row in the regular season, but the the Steelers punch them in the mouth early in this one. Roethlisberger throws two TD passes to Plaxico Burress (including a picture-perfect 47-yard bomb) and Deshea Townsend has 39-yard interception return for a TD during a furious 21-point Steelers first quarter. This was "supposed" to be the game in which Roethlisberger is finally exposed as a rookie, taking on New England's defensive mastermind Bill Belichick and the Patriots' unpredictable defense schemes. Instead, it's Tom Brady who ends up looking out his ear hole as Roethlisberger runs his own winning streak to 18: his last 13 games at Miami of Ohio and his first five in the NFL. Joey Porter has a HUGE game, recording 3 sacks and forcing 2 fumbles while Duce Staley gains 125 yards on 25 carries and the Bus runs 15 times for 65 yards and a TD. A complete team effort and a beautiful win! 

[Guest]

Yeah, in retrospect I wish this HAD been the Patriots game when Ben was exposed a rookie--instead of the AFC Championship a couple months later. I will always be bitter about that game, and the 2001 AFC Championship. Duce and Bettis were both running well again in the '04 championship, but of course turnovers (Ben interception, Bettis key fumble early on) were the death knell. The defense giving up a few big plays at the worst times certainly didn't help.

But yes, this Halloween game was a Steeler masterpiece.

[Crash]

IMO if Cowher would have went for it down 14 and they score? I think they win. Down 7 with a quarter to play I'll take my chances with Ben.

When they kicked the FG at 31-17 you could see the energy in Heinz Field just go away.

[Guest]

I remember missing this game because I was helping my brother move

[Guest]

What's going to be interesting is when Brady retires & New England feels what it's like to struggle & their fair weather fans start booing

[mcmillenandwife]

What's going to be interesting is when Brady retires & New England feels what it's like to struggle & their fair weather fans start booing

It will be very interesting to see what New England does once Brady retires. Will Belichick retire at the same time to protect his legacy? Because in my view, New England's success over the last 17 years has been 90% Brady, 10% Belichick. I think without Brady, the Hoodie is going to seem like an average coach. Let's not forget, Belichick was Cowher's bitch when he was coaching in Cleveland, sans Brady. 

[Garrett Garlits]

After the game, highlights and analysis from NFL Primetime, plus brief comments from both coaches.