Is there anything better than sitting back on a Sunday afternoon and watching the Steelers beat the hated Oakland Raiders? I think not.

This was one of those games that would have taken months to get over if it had ended in defeat. It is one thing to be eliminated from playoff contention, but to have it happen at home against those bums would have been too much to take.

Instead, the Steelers treated us to one of those rare games that don't happen too often. Excitement, execution, and comebacks.

It was definitely a game of mood swings. The game started out on a high note with the Steelers defense forcing the Raiders off the field with a three-and-out. On Pittsburgh's first possession, they handed the ball off to rookie fullback Dan Kreider for his first career carry. He promptly rumbled 22 yards to set the tone for the drive. The Steelers marched down the field at will, and finally capped the drive with a Kordell Stewart TD pass to Bobby Shaw in the corner of the endzone. It was a thing of beauty.

I can remember thinking that this was looking far too easy. After all, this was the team with the best record in the NFL. Although I thought it was possible to eke out a victory, I didn't think they would be able to administer a good old-fashioned butt whooping. But, Kordell was looking very sharp, and it appeared he was starting right where he left off after the Cincy game.

Just as my dreams of domination were reaching their peak, disaster struck. It was announced that Kordell was lost for the game with an apparent knee sprain. It ended up that he had re-aggravated a calf injury, but he was gone none the less.

Enter Kent Graham. He promptly threw an interception that was returned for a TD on his first pass attempt. The rest of the time he spent on his back as he was repeatedly pummelled by the Raiders defense.

The offense, and the defense seemed to quickly lose their spark, and the Steelers entered halftime trailing 17-7. They were slowly losing hope, and were looking like a team that was already beaten.

Then something incredible happened. Kordell emerged from the locker room with his helmet on. Even more amazing was the deafening roar of the crowd upon his emergence. This was the same crowd that has booed him mercilessly for the past 2 1/2 years. Kordell fed off the crowd, and the offense fed off of Kordell.

He promptly led the Steelers on one of their longest touchdown drives of the season, 16 plays, 91 yards, in 9 minutes and 10 seconds. He started the comeback on a second and sixteen from the Steelers 14 yard line. He went back to pass and had the ball knocked out of his hand. He picked up the fumble on the first hop, and proceeded to scramble 17 yards for the first down. That energized the offense, and they systematically marched the ball all the way down the field. The drive ended with Mark Breuner catching a pass at the 1 yard line, being driven back to the 4 by safety Calvin Branch, and then carrying him into the endzone.

It was one of the most remarkable individual efforts I have ever seen.

From there on out, there were great runs by "The Bus", more offensive execution, and a 17 yard scramble for a TD by Kordell. The whole team was feeding off the effort Kordell was giving. Bettis played with more passion than he has all year. He finished the day with 128 yards on 24 carries, and he administered some pain along the way.

The defense refused to be outdone, and surrendered only 3 second half points to the high-powered Raider offense. It was a great team victory, and a great way to close out the Steelers-Raiders rivalry at Three Rivers Stadium.

It was funny to look at the different sport sites on the internet today, and see how many columnist are retracting their "Demise of Kordell Stewart" statements. Not only did he regain the confidence of the Pittsburgh fans, it seems he has won over the fickle sports writers as well.

Maybe in a year from now, we will look at this as the turning point of the franchise. They kept their faint playoff hopes alive, and more importantly, they seemed to have regained a quarterback. He is emerging as a true leader, and his teammates have proven they are ready to go to war for him. Whether post-season play is in the cards or not, it's starting to look like this is a team that is finally ready to turn the corner.

by SteelerGil (December 4, 00)