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It was Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie season, and the Pittsburgh Steelers were charging towards the playoffs as they headed for a Saturday afternoon battle with the New York Giants. The storyline all week was about the two rookie quarterbacks, Roethlisberger and Eli Manning facing off for the first time since Draft Day. Manning of course was drafted first overall by the then San Diego Chargers, but refused to play in San Diego. The Giants and Chargers then swapped Manning for Philip Rivers, and life in the NFL would go on.
BEN ROETHLISBERGER MILESTONE – FIRST THREE HUNDRED YARD GAME PASSING
BEN ROETHLISBERGER MILESTONE – SECOND CAREER 4TH QUARTER COMEBACK
Manning had replaced starter Kurt Warner who was replaced by the rookie as the team struggled. They continued to struggle after Manning took over, and headed into this game with only 1 touchdown in 45 offensive possessions. The Giants had lost 6 straight and looked prime for the picking as the 12-1 Steelers headed into town. Manning and the Giants had other ideas.
Rookies Roethlisberger, and Manning meet for the first time
The Giants returned the opening kick off for a touchdown, and the shoot out was on. On the Steelers first possession, Roethlisberger would be intercepted on a batted pass, and things didn’t look good for the Steelers.
Still trailing 7-0 the Steelers would bounce back with Antwaan Randle El throwing a trick play touchdown to running back Verron Haynes. Randle El would be a thorn in the Giants side all afternoon, finishing the game with 5 receptions for 149 yards, and a touchdown.
CLICK THE PHOTO FOR GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Rookie Ben Roethlisberger, and Rookie Eli Manning / PHOTO BIGBEN7.COM
Again special teams would let the Steelers down. On the ensuing kickoff, the Giants took it to mid-field, and it set them up for their next touchdown. Manning hit tight end Jeremey Shockey and the Steelers again were behind. Again it was Randle El who tied the game. He hauled in a 35-yard touchdown from Roethlisberger. They would add two Jeff Reed field goals, and take a 6-point lead into the half, 20-14.
Roethlisberger and the Steelers received the second half kickoff with a chance to distance themselves from the Giants, but Roethlisberger threw a pass directly to their former safety Brent Alexander. Alexander had been released the off-season prior and the Steelers replaced him with rookie Chris Hope. Even with Alexander in the twilight of his career, he couldn’t miss this one. Roethlisberger threw it right to him and the Giants would pull within three points. The teams would exchange more field goals, but with the Giants trailing 23-20 late in the third quarter, they believed they were about to put the Steelers away.
Brent Alexander Intercepts the Browns / PHOTO PPG
The Steelers defense was able to hold Manning in check statistically, because the Giants didn’t have to move the ball very far to keep scoring. But a 49-yard bomb to David Tyree for his first reception of the season put the Giants in scoring position and they took advantage. Manning would throw a 1-yard touchdown pass and all of the sudden the Steelers lead had evaporated. The Steelers would settle for a field goal on their next drive, and the Giants would answer again with another touchdown.
The Giants capped off their drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Tiki Barber, but were unable to connect on a two-point play. The Steelers trailed 30-26 with 8 minutes left. That day would be the second 4th quarter comeback in Roethlisberger’s career. He led the Steelers down the field with passes to Hines Ward, and Randle El before Jerome Bettis would finish it off on a 1-yard touchdown. That would cap Bettis’ record breaking day, as Bettis would pass Franco Harris for the most 100-yard rushing games as a Steeler. Bettis had 140 yards on his 48th 100-yard rushing performance.
Manning would show a side that would come out often through his career (unless he played New England). On a manageable 3rd and 2, Manning would fire deep down the field and be intercepted by Willie Williams. Pittsburgh would be able to run the clock out from there and move to 13-1. The Giants would fall to 5-9.
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BEN ROETHLISBERGER MILESTONE – FIRST THREE HUNDRED YARD GAME PASSING
BEN ROETHLISBERGER MILESTONE – SECOND CAREER 4TH QUARTER COMEBACK
Manning had replaced starter Kurt Warner who was replaced by the rookie as the team struggled. They continued to struggle after Manning took over, and headed into this game with only 1 touchdown in 45 offensive possessions. The Giants had lost 6 straight and looked prime for the picking as the 12-1 Steelers headed into town. Manning and the Giants had other ideas.
Rookies Roethlisberger, and Manning meet for the first time
The Giants returned the opening kick off for a touchdown, and the shoot out was on. On the Steelers first possession, Roethlisberger would be intercepted on a batted pass, and things didn’t look good for the Steelers.
Still trailing 7-0 the Steelers would bounce back with Antwaan Randle El throwing a trick play touchdown to running back Verron Haynes. Randle El would be a thorn in the Giants side all afternoon, finishing the game with 5 receptions for 149 yards, and a touchdown.
CLICK THE PHOTO FOR GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Rookie Ben Roethlisberger, and Rookie Eli Manning / PHOTO BIGBEN7.COM
Again special teams would let the Steelers down. On the ensuing kickoff, the Giants took it to mid-field, and it set them up for their next touchdown. Manning hit tight end Jeremey Shockey and the Steelers again were behind. Again it was Randle El who tied the game. He hauled in a 35-yard touchdown from Roethlisberger. They would add two Jeff Reed field goals, and take a 6-point lead into the half, 20-14.
Roethlisberger and the Steelers received the second half kickoff with a chance to distance themselves from the Giants, but Roethlisberger threw a pass directly to their former safety Brent Alexander. Alexander had been released the off-season prior and the Steelers replaced him with rookie Chris Hope. Even with Alexander in the twilight of his career, he couldn’t miss this one. Roethlisberger threw it right to him and the Giants would pull within three points. The teams would exchange more field goals, but with the Giants trailing 23-20 late in the third quarter, they believed they were about to put the Steelers away.
Brent Alexander Intercepts the Browns / PHOTO PPG
The Steelers defense was able to hold Manning in check statistically, because the Giants didn’t have to move the ball very far to keep scoring. But a 49-yard bomb to David Tyree for his first reception of the season put the Giants in scoring position and they took advantage. Manning would throw a 1-yard touchdown pass and all of the sudden the Steelers lead had evaporated. The Steelers would settle for a field goal on their next drive, and the Giants would answer again with another touchdown.
The Giants capped off their drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Tiki Barber, but were unable to connect on a two-point play. The Steelers trailed 30-26 with 8 minutes left. That day would be the second 4th quarter comeback in Roethlisberger’s career. He led the Steelers down the field with passes to Hines Ward, and Randle El before Jerome Bettis would finish it off on a 1-yard touchdown. That would cap Bettis’ record breaking day, as Bettis would pass Franco Harris for the most 100-yard rushing games as a Steeler. Bettis had 140 yards on his 48th 100-yard rushing performance.
Manning would show a side that would come out often through his career (unless he played New England). On a manageable 3rd and 2, Manning would fire deep down the field and be intercepted by Willie Williams. Pittsburgh would be able to run the clock out from there and move to 13-1. The Giants would fall to 5-9.
Do yinz remember this game? What was your favorite moment? Click to comment below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
