After watching the game, here are my predictions for Friday's headlines:
1) Dolphins Wanted Culpepper of 2004 - Got Culpepper of 2005.
2 Game-killing interceptions including 1 returned for TD (note: Gus Frerotte is the only Miami quarterback in the past 6 years to NOT have an INT returned for a TD)
Update: The South Florida Sun Sentinel agrees.
2) Questions About Ronnie Brown's Ability to Carry the Load Without Williams.
30 yards on 15 carries. On the bright side, he had 2 TDs, and 3 receptions for 32 yards. It wasn't all his fault. It's hard to run when there are 2 Steelers in the backfield on every play.
3) Steelers Overcome Loss of Rothlisberger - Show They Are True Team Players.
3 TDs from Charlie Batch. Steeler offensive and defensive lines dominated the game.
4) "Fast" Willie Parker Runs Around and Over Dolphins.
115 clock-killing yards on 29 carries - a 3.9 ypc average. And he seemed to get better as the game wore on.
5) Hines Ward Gets TD After Limited Play in Camp.
What hamstring injury? Did you see him jump in the back of the end zone?
And yet, I still come away with the feeling that Pittsburgh stole one. (Update: The Miami Herald and oddly enough the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette agree) Miami had 2 chances to win the game. While leading 17-14, one drive stalled at the 43 - punt. The next play was the 87 yard TD to Heath Miller. The next drive ended in Culpepper's first interception. Even then it wasn't over - until Culpepper threw his second INT in a row. This may be the only game the Steelers have to play without Big Ben - so they'll look a little different (if not more dangerous) in future games. And the Dolphins won't have to play the Steeler defense every week.
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Comments (1)
I haven't seen an implosion... (Below threshold)1. Posted by The Former Blogger Formerly Known as Josh Cohen | September 8, 2006 8:39 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I haven't seen an implosion like that since... well, since the days of Dan Marino standing on the sidelines after getting his team up (for example) 24-20 and then seeing the defense blow it.
This time, it was the offense blowing it... or, more precisely, Culpepper making two bad decisions in a row. Which can happen to anyone.
Overall, the game was very well-played, and I agree with you... if the Dolphins did that well against the Steelers for 3.5 quarters, imagine how dominant they should be against the Texans, Bills, Jets, and everyone else who doesn't have a monstrous defense.
But the MOST disappointing thing about last night was that NBC didn't go back to using their old NFL on NBC music. That music was awesome; the new stuff is okay, but not great.
1. Posted by The Former Blogger Formerly Known as Josh Cohen | September 8, 2006 8:39 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 8, 2006 08:39