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Steelers' Defense Stops Ravens When It Counts

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 19, 2009

PITTSBURGH - Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has been down this road before.

His path is different this time.

Tomlin joined the Bucs as a defensive backs coach in 2001 and helped mold one of the most productive defensive backfields in the NFL. His unit recorded four interceptions during a Super Bowl victory in the 2002 season and Pittsburgh hired him as its head coach in 2007 with the hope he could create that same magic for the Steelers.

Mission accomplished.

Tomlin will return to Tampa as the triumphant hero who guided Pittsburgh to a 14-4 record, the NFL's No. 1 defense, and a 23-14 AFC Championship Game victory Sunday against Baltimore.

"It's not my story. It's our story. It's the story of the 2008 Steelers," Tomlin said. "Game location doesn't matter. We're excited about being in the Super Bowl. We look forward to getting down there and pursing our ultimate goal."

The Steelers advanced to Tampa by doing something few teams were able to accomplish this season - make Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco play like a rookie.

Baltimore had won 11 of its past 13 games prior to Sunday, and in two previous playoff games, Flacco completed 20 of 45 passes for 296 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

However, Flacco was far less effective against Pittsburgh when the Ravens needed him most.

Flacco completed 13 of 30 passes for 141 yards and three interceptions. His costliest mistake occurred in the fourth quarter.

Baltimore trailed 16-14 and had possession on its own 29-yard line with 4:39 remaining. Flacco attempted a pass to Derrick Mason, but it was intercepted by Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, who returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. That score essentially sealed Pittsburgh's victory.

"We were able to get pressure on him Flacco," Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison said. "Any quarterback that you get pressure on and start hitting, it's going to affect what they're doing and their decision-making."

On the Ravens' previous drive, Flacco attempted a pass for receiver Marcus Smith and Pittsburgh cornerback Ike Taylor was called for pass interference, putting Baltimore on the Steelers' 1-yard line. On the next play, running back Willis McGahee ran in for a touchdown, narrowing the Ravens' deficit to 16-14 with 9:29 remaining.

"I'm ready to go to Tampa right now. To get out of this cold weather. The storyline is there. It's for the big dance, to win the Super Bowl," Steelers receiver Hines Ward said. "I know we're excited. That is what started in training camp and kept talking about what we wanted to do. Now we have an opportunity. They have a tough team. They're hot. We're going to enjoy this one."

Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore was expected to be a defensive battle, and that was evident from the first quarter.

Pittsburgh had possession on its own 41-yard line when Willie Parker took a handoff and was rocked by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. Parker fumbled and Baltimore safety Jim Leonhard recovered.

Baltimore advanced to Pittsburgh's 34-yard line, but McGahee was stopped on third-and-1 and Flacco was tackled short of the first down by Steelers safety Troy Polamalu on fourth down.

Three plays later, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger underthrew Santonio Holmes, but his receiver still made the catch. Baltimore cornerback Fabian Washington slipped on the play, which helped Holmes stretch his simple catch into a 65-yard touchdown reception and a 13-0 lead.

Pittsburgh's defense held McGahee, who had movement in his arms and was said to have a sore neck after a helmet-to-helmet hit in the fourth quarter, to 20 carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns, while the Ravens converted only three of 13 third downs.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

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