The Steeler's players, nor the coaches will admit it, but this was a must win game.
Even though they were about to play a powerhouse such as Green Bay, anything but a "W" in the win column would have been disastrous. A loss would leave them 2 full games behind Jacksonville, and dangerously close to third place Tennessee. After last weeks debacle against the Oilers, the defense needed to regain their confidence. The team needed to find a way to get their swagger back. A victory over the Packers would give them both the confidence and the swagger.
I figured this game would have been a hard fought battle with Pittsburgh emerging victorious somewhere in the 17-14 vicinity.Boy, was I wrong. Did anybody expect the total domination the Steelers had on both sides of the ball? Except for the final 10 minutes this game was a rout. If not for the botched play with Tomczac at the helm, the Packers could not have even made the score respectable.
This game was so much fun to watch. It was a pleasure to see Kordell prove his detractors wrong. He played with the utmost confidence, and even outplayed the 3 time MVP Favre. I think all the negative feedback he had been hearing the past week was just what he needed. It seemed to light a fire under him, and he emerged as the leader his team so desperately needed. Nobody can question his character. He could have sulked over the treatment he was getting, but instead he used it as motivation, and the Packers paid for it. He led them to 5 scores on their first 5 drives. The Pack could never recover.
Even though Kordell was the catalyst, he could not have won this game by himself. There were plenty of stars on this night. Donta Jones and his 2 1/2 sacks, Carnell Lake ignoring the pain of his high ankle sprain, Jermaine Stephens proving he is a legitamate starter, Hines Ward, Chris Fuamata-Maafala, Jerome Bettis, the list goes on and on. This was a total team effort, and one to build on for the rest of the season.
When Pittsburgh goes into Tennessee this Sunday, I don't think their is any worry that they will be looking ahead to Jacksonville. They have some unfinished business with the Oilers, and I think we will see the same intensity as Monday night.
Eddie George could be in for a long day!
