4 games from 2004: Best regular season stretch since '79

[mcmillenandwife]

If you haven't re-watched them yet, I'd suggest you take a look over the weekend. I recently posted 4 games from 2004 that I would say is the best regular season 4-game stretch since '79. The games are:

• 2004 Steelers 34 vs Browns 23 
  
• 2004 Steelers 24 at Cowboys 20 
  
• 2004 Steelers 34 vs Patriots 20 
  
• 2004 Steelers 27 vs Eagles 3 
  

That 2004 team was special. Great defense, great O-line and running game, outstanding receivers, a rookie phenom at QB and fantastic team chemistry. When you look at Steelers teams with "missing rings," only the '76 team ranks higher. And while they ultimately fell short of the Lombardi, I'm convinced that the yet-to-be-uncovered Spygate scandal played a significant role. This team destroyed New England at midseason. Unfortunately, Belichick and his cheating minions used that early game to steal our defensive calls. It seemed they were in our defensive huddle at times in the AFC Championship game later that season because they WERE. Cheatin' bastards. 

But I digress. Regardless, the 2004 Steelers rank among the great Steelers teams of all time. They were better than the '05 and '08 Championship teams in my view and 2004 was certainly one of the most enjoyable seasons in Steelers history. 

Hope you take time to enjoy these games. The unexpected emergence of Big Ben as an elite NFL QB in his rookie season is really something to behold. 

[Chucktownsteeler]

If you haven't re-watched them yet, I'd suggest you take a look over the weekend. I recently posted 4 games from 2004 that I would say is the best regular season 4-game stretch since '79. The games are:

• 2004 Steelers 34 vs Browns 23 
  
• 2004 Steelers 24 at Cowboys 20 
  
• 2004 Steelers 34 vs Patriots 20 
  
• 2004 Steelers 27 vs Eagles 3 
  

That 2004 team was special. Great defense, great O-line and running game, outstanding receivers, a rookie phenom at QB and fantastic team chemistry. When you look at Steelers teams with "missing rings," only the '76 team ranks higher. And while they ultimately fell short of the Lombardi, I'm convinced that the yet-to-be-uncovered Spygate scandal played a significant role. This team destroyed New England at midseason. Unfortunately, Belichick and his cheating minions used that early game to steal our defensive calls. It seemed they were in our defensive huddle at times in the AFC Championship game later that season because they WERE. Cheatin' bastards. 

But I digress. Regardless, the 2004 Steelers rank among the great Steelers teams of all time. They were better than the '05 and '08 Championship teams in my view and 2004 was certainly one of the most enjoyable seasons in Steelers history. 

Hope you take time to enjoy these games. The unexpected emergence of Big Ben as an elite NFL QB in his rookie season is really something to behold. 

I couldn't agree more, I remember Hines Ward coming off the field and saying words to this effect: its like they were in our huddle and knew our plays. This was years before a whisper of "spy-gate" and cements in my mind this entire Kraft and Belicheck regime is the most corrupt in any sport, any time. History will prove this out, if it hasn't already. 

I would like to through out the Steeler team (96? maybe) that lost to the Chargers in the AFC championship game. I think Eric Greene and Co. got a little off focus and was already recording a SB shuffle video. This team is right there with a Steeler team not getting a ring.

[mcmillenandwife]

I would like to through out the Steeler team (96? maybe) that lost to the Chargers in the AFC championship game. I think Eric Greene and Co. got a little off focus and was already recording a SB shuffle video. This team is right there with a Steeler team not getting a ring.

Yeah, 1994. Agreed, that was a FUN year of Steeler football. Put a Ben Roethlisberger under center in '94 instead of Kneel O'Dollar and I firmly believe that group goes on to win at least one and possibly multiple Super Bowls.

[Crash]

If they keep OD I think they win the AFC in 1996 and 1997 also.

Tomczak's pathetic play against our division in 1996 cost them a bye week.

[mcmillenandwife]

If they keep OD I think they win the AFC in 1996 and 1997 also.  

Tomczak's pathetic play against our division in 1996 cost them a bye week.

Maybe '96. Probably, in fact, because T-Zak was simply awful. But Denver was the best in the NFL in '97 and had Elway. Plus, Kordell was a more potent offensive threat in '97 that O-Donnell was at any time in his career. 

The NFC competition was too strong in that era for a Neil O'Donnell to be a Super Bowl winning QB. It was going to take QB greatness, something he lacked.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I dunno, we had the cowboys gashed and on their heels, running the ball down their throats with Bam Morris. Why we threw the ball is still mind-boggling. We had that SB won.

[mcmillenandwife]

I dunno, we had the cowboys gashed and on their heels, running the ball down their throats with Bam Morris. Why we threw the ball is still mind-boggling. We had that SB won.

Yes, all those things are true. And because we lacked greatness at QB... we lost.

[Crash]

No they lost because what got them there, the spread and the wides they didn't do to open the game.

First thing Joe Gibbs said at halftime, stop being too conservative and open it up.

LeBeau's defense also gave up 13 points to start the game on three series.

Can't do either of that and expect to win.

Bam's game is misleading because of two long runs. People forget that he was stuffed on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th and 1 down 20-7.

[mcmillenandwife]

No they lost because what got them there, the spread and the wides they didn't do to open the game.

First thing Joe Gibbs said at halftime, stop being too conservative and open it up.

LeBeau's defense also gave up 13 points to start the game on three series.  

Can't do either of that and expect to win.  

Bam's game is misleading because of two long runs.  People forget that he was stuffed on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th and 1 down 20-7.

Have to disagree. First, giving up 13 points was weathering the storm. We were playing a "dynastic" offense which fielded 4 Hall of Famers in their prime. It could've easily been 21-0 against an incredibly experienced Dallas team with a legendary offensive line. In reality, it should've only been 9-0 (Novacek scored on a blatant illegal pick). Regardless, the defense settled down and played brilliantly for the rest of the game and no matter how you slice it, the close 13-7 halftime score was a significant victory for Pittsburgh.


Forget those early 13. What killed us were the easy 14 which were the direct result of Neil O'Donnell's devastating picks. 

In spite of Neil's first lollipop INT that put us in a 20-7 hole, Cowher's gutsy coaching (surprise onside), TOUGH defense and some good, hard running by Morris late put us in perfect position to pull off the upset. The team put Neil O'Donnell in the position every quarterback dreams about. 4:15 left, all the momentum in their favor and a chance to go win the Super Bowl on the final drive of the game.

Great QB's overcome adversity and deliver in such moments. Ben gave us SB XLIII. Elway gave us SB XXXII. Montana gave us XXIII. Eli gave us XLII. Brady gave us LI.

O'Donnell made Larry Brown a household name. 

[Chucktownsteeler]

Totally agree with Tim. 27-17, deduct the 14 points Kneel gave the Cowboys, well you do the math.