Many of the Steelers’ faithful expected no better than a 2-2 start during the absence of star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but after a good road win at Tennessee, they were 2-0. Any wins beyond that were gravy.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had survived a opening day scare in Tampa against the Browns, and then handled the pitiful Carolina Panthers in Week 2. For a team starting 10 rookies, the Bucs would go on to an excellent 10-6 season and would have a chance to make the playoffs if not for a win by Green Bay in week 17.
Never a Match for Mendy and Batch
Rashard Mendenhall would have a great game against the Bucs, rushing for 143 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. You can’t complain about a 7.5 yard per carry average.
Charlie Batch made his first start of the season, and his first since the end of the 2007 season, after replacing Dennis Dixon against the Titans when Dixon was injured.
Batch would have a very good game, his two interceptions offset by three touchdowns, 186 yards through the air and a 70.6 completion percentage.
He would also rush for 26 of the Steelers’ 201 rushing yards on the day.
Two of the touchdowns went to Mike Wallace and each of those were more than 40 yards. The other touchdown was to Smilin’ Hines Ward for 9 yards, the mild-mannered receiver out of Georgia who would go on to stardom on Dancing with the Stars.
One of the interceptions led to the first score of the game, a 40-yard field goal by unfortunately-named Tampa Bay kicker Connor Barth.
But after spotting the Bucs that lead, the Steelers would come roaring back.
Defense Dominating, What Else is New?
The Steel Curtain did what they did all year, holding rookie running back LeGarrette Blount to 27 yards and a touchdown in garbage time, after the game was decided.
That didn’t stop the Bucs from trying to run, however. Blount, Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, and QB Josh Freeman each had six carries in the game for a combined total of 53 yards.
Eight different Bucs caught passes in this game, but none of them had more than 57 yards receiving and there were no touchdowns thrown against the Steelers.
The Steelers also forced two turnovers. One was a 79-yard interception return for a touchdown by DE Brett Keisel, his first interception and his first touchdown of his career.
The Play
The play that changed this game was a 41-yard TD strike to Mike Wallace from Charlie Batch in the second quarter. The quarter saw the Steelers put up 21 points and put the game away.
On the play, Batch under-throws the pass a bit which allows the defender to get his hands on the ball. Wallace, showing great concentration, catches the deflection and drags his toes before stepping out of the back of the end zone.
At the time of the play, the Steelers were up 14-6. The fifteen point lead, which proved to be insurmountable, put the Steelers 3-0 going into the first of three games against division rival Baltimore in Week 4.
Here is the play, courtesy of Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhzo1-xLP7U