5 Wild Card games the Steelers won’t soon forget
By Brendan Howe
Cowher and Co. force Cleveland into postseason exile
The last time the Cleveland Browns prevailed in a road playoff game, Neil Armstrong’s footprints were still fresh on the moon and the ashes that were once Jimi Hendrix’s guitar may well have still been smoldering.
Seeking to change this, the Butch Davis-led Browns were in town in 2003. Partaking in their first postseason meeting since resuming play in 1999. For some time, it appeared as if they had Pittsburgh’s number.
His offense’s ground game profoundly limited—merely picking up 38 yards on 28 carries—Kelly Holcomb, in only his fourth NFL start, carried the offense and filled the stat sheet. Filling in for former first-overall draft choice Tim Couch, he hurled the football for 429 yards and three scores.
In the middle of what is debatably Holcomb’s finest pro performance, Cleveland led 24-7. Pittsburgh’s defense, headed by Joey Porter and Kendrell Bell, allowed its offense an opportunity to catch up.
Tommy Maddox, the league’s Comeback Player of the Year, lobbed three touchdowns in little over a quarter to bite into the lead. Under a minute remained until the final whistle when Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala rumbled for a three-yard touchdown to complete the rally.
Down a field goal after a successful two-point conversion, Holcomb frantically guided his unit forward to the fringe of field goal position. With:07 left on the ticker, just past midfield, he completed a pass to Andre Davis, who beelined and lunged for the sideline. It didn’t matter. Time expired and the Steelers triumphed, 36-33.