Pittsburgh Steelers Nail Down Broncos
Ben Roethlisberger was responsible for four scoring drives in the first half and built a big lead on the way to a relatively easy 34-17 victory over the Denver Broncos. They now head to Super Bowl XL in Detroit against the Seattle Seahawks after their win over Carolina.
Dan Marino was the youngest quarterback ever to play in a Super Bowl at twenty-three years and four months for the Miami Dolphins, back in Super Bowl XIX. Ben Roethlisberger will become the second youngest quarterback to play in a Super Bowl at a shade under twenty-four years of age.
Pittsburgh had committed a total of twelve turnovers in their last three AFC title game losses but on this occasion the Steelers forced four turnovers - all of them by Jake Plummer, who was intercepted twice and fumbled twice.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are just the second team in NFL history to win three games on the road on the way to the Super Bowl, the first being the 1985 Patriots.
Roethlisberger made thirteen of seventeen passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the first half and built a 24-3 lead. With 3.00m left in the fourth quarter he sealed it with a four yard TD.
Jerome Bettis scored on a three-yard run and was pulled back for another by a penalty flag. Jeff Reed kicked goals of 47 and 42 yards for the Steelers.
Plummer could only muster five of ten pass attempts for seventy odd yards with an interception and fumble in the first half and it set the tone for the Broncos for the rest of the game. He did connect with Ashley Lelie on a nice thirty yarder for a touchdown in the second half, but also had two more turnovers in the second half.
Pittsburgh pressure was relentless and they ran out deserved winners. They are currently -4 for the Super Bowl game on our football spreads.
