New England-Pittsburgh postmortem
Cold, Hard Football Facts for January 25, 2005

In our last words on the AFC title game, we deliver the eulogy on another round of "pundits" who drowned in their own ignorance after stubbornly refusing to grab the gridiron lifeline called the Cold, Hard Football Facts.

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Pittsburgh's dejected quarterback walked off the field after throwing three interceptions against New England in the AFC title game. An announcer from NFL Films described the scene this way: "Bill Belichick's game plan forced the Steelers to win the game with (their quarterback's) arm. They could not."

The year was 2002. The defeated quarterback was Kordell Stewart.

Pittsburgh fans were convinced this year that Ben Roethlisberger would erase the memory of postseason quarterback collapses that have become a Steelers hallmark in the Bill Cowher coaching era. There was, of course, Stewart's three INT game against the Patriots in the 2001-02 AFC title game. He tossed his final two interceptions on the Steelers' final two drives, as they desperately attempted to erase a 24-17 deficit.

But that performance was downright dreamy compared with Neil O'Donnell's display in Super Bowl XXX. O'Donnell tossed two interceptions into the hands of Dallas defensive back Larry Brown, who easily returned both for touchdowns. Dallas won, 27-17.

Pittsburgh fans and "pundits" from Allston to Allegheny Acres insisted that Roethlisberger was no Kordell Stewart. They should have known better. They should have taken off their black & gold blinders and took a long, hard look through the prism of pigskin truth called the Cold, Hard Football Facts.

As we reported last week, Roethlisberger entered the AFC title game with one of the highest interception rates in the NFL this season. In fact Stewart, a Pro Bowl performer, was much more careful with the ball in 2001. Roethlisberger threw an INT once every 26.8 attempts (11 in 295 attempts). Stewart in 2001 threw an INT just once every 40.2 attempts (11 in 442 attempts).

Still, with their running game stifled and the AFC title on the line, both players tossed the ball into the hands of New England defensive backs three different times.

Perhaps we can blame more than just the players. Perhaps we can blame the system.

Indianapolis has begun quite a bit of soul-searching following its 20-3 loss to New England in the divisional round. The Colts put all their eggs in the basket of a pass-happy offense. History has shown it's a losing formula.

Pittsburgh and Cowher need to make the same cold, hard assessment of their own tired old formula. Each year Pittsburgh loads up at linebacker on defense and pounds away with a heavy-duty ground attack on offense.

It's a strategy that's a source of pride for the rock-jawed Cowher and the blue-collar fans of western PA. But it's also a strategy, history has shown, that simply does not work. Quality postseason defenses stack up against the run and force Pittsburgh quarterbacks who have been coddled all season to suddenly carry the load. It's ended in disaster each and every time. Balance and adaptability have always been the keys to victory in the NFL. Stubbornness leads to disaster.

Cowher should know. A 1-4 record in AFC title games, and an 0-1 showing in the Super Bowl, is hard to misinterpret.

Roethlisberger may be the answer in Pittsburgh's future. But for now he's just another name on a Pittsburgh postseason soap opera that ends the same way each and every season. Just ask NFL Films.

Back on Halloween, New England committed four turnovers, including an interception that was returned for a touchdown. The result was a 14-point Pittsburgh victory (34-20).

In the AFC title game Sunday, Pittsburgh committed four turnovers, including an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

You don't win in the NFL committing four turnovers. Especially when you're playing champion contenders.

Marvel all you want at New England's impressive two-way victory and its ability to rip the gonads off a 16-1 team playing at home. But turnovers, as they always are, were the second most important stat in the game. Only the final score counts for more.