Steelers top 30 moments in franchise history
By Kim Myers
Polamalu picks off Flacco
Nov 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu (43) looks on from the sidelines against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Saints won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
One of the greatest Steelers moments of recent memory plus one of Troy Polamalu’s greatest plays came in the 2008 AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens had the ball at their own 29-yard line down 16-14 with just over four minutes left in the game.
With a sack of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco by linebacker LaMarr Woodley the Ravens were looking at a third and long. The Ravens needed to get to the 42-yard line for a first down and Flacco dropped back to pass.
Out of nowhere jumps Troy Polamalu to pick off the ball with an open field in front of him. Polamalu begins running like the wild man he is. He receives blocks from Ryan Clark, William Gay, Ike Taylor and eventually Aaron Smith to pave his way 40 yards into the end zone for the game-sealing touchdown.
The Steelers won 23-14 and went on to Super Bowl XLIII where they beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23. Polamalu had a career-high seven interceptions that season but none was as great as the pick six against the Ravens to win a trip to the Super Bowl.
This was one of those plays that not only instant replay was made for but the Steelers tradition of playing “Renegade” late in the game was made for.
Next: James Harrison's super touchdown