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Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Again Beat Rival Cleveland

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 15, 2008

CLEVELAND - On a less-than-ideal night for football or any other outdoor activity, Pittsburgh made it a perfect 10 over the Browns.

Ignoring his sore right shoulder and wind gusts of 60 mph, Ben Roethlisberger threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward as the Steelers made it 10 straight wins over their closest rival, beating Cleveland 10-6 on Sunday to extend the NFL's longest current winning streak between two teams.

As is their way, the Steelers wrecked Cleveland's return to prime time after a five-year hiatus. Pittsburgh has won eight in a row in Cleveland, 16 of 17 in the series and 23 of 26 in a rivalry that has been one-sided since the days Roethlisberger was learning how to throw a football as a kid in Findlay, Ohio.

During the game, it was disclosed on TV that Roethlisberger sustained a separated shoulder last week in a win over Houston. But Big Ben didn't seem bothered as he completed 12 of 19 for 186 yards and improved to 10-0 in NFL games inside his home state. The Cincinnati Bengals haven't had any luck in their stadium against him either.
Jeff Reed kicked a 48-yard field goal in tricky conditions and the Steelers held off a late rally by the Browns (0-2), who were hoping this would be the year they finally challenged Pittsburgh for supremacy in the AFC North.

Not yet.
Phil Dawson kicked field goals of 31 and 38 yards, the second one with 3:21 left to pull the Browns to 10-6.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel was counting on his defense getting the ball back, but Roethlisberger, as he has always done against Cleveland, came up with the big play. He scrambled from pressure to buy some time and rifled a 19-yard pass to Heath Miller for a first down at midfield.
Willie Parker broke free on a 19-yard run and the Steelers ran out all but the final 26 seconds. Parker finished with 28 carries for 105 yards.

Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson threw two interceptions, one setting up Roethlisberger's TD to Ward, and the second that ended the Browns' best shot at a TD on the final play of the first half.

One play after dropping a touchdown pass at the front of the end zone in traffic, Ward made up for it with an easy grab for six points in the second quarter.

Pit-Ward 11 pass from Roethlisberger (Reed kick), 6:26.

Third Quarter

Pit-FG Reed 48, 7:58.

Cle-FG Dawson 31, 1:25.

Fourth Quarter

Cle-FG Dawson 38, 3:21.

A-73,048.

RUSHING-Pittsburgh, Parker 28-105, Holmes 1-10, C.Davis 1-2, Roethlisberger 1-0. Cleveland, Lewis 19-38, Anderson 3-6, Cribbs 1-5, J.Harrison 1-2, Vickers 1-2.

PASSING-Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger 12-19-0-186. Cleveland, Anderson 18-32-2-166.

RECEIVING-Pittsburgh, Holmes 5-94, Ward 5-59, Miller 2-33. Cleveland, Winslow 7-55, Edwards 3-32, Lewis 3-28, Steptoe 2-16, J.Harrison 1-23, J.Wright 1-9, Vickers 1-3.

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