Run the ball down their throats, and stuff the run of the opponents. That has long been the trademark of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and an element that has been missing for some time.

On Sunday they took their frustrations out on the Jacksonville Jaguars, and suddenly looked like the Steelers of old. The Steelers rushed for 209 total yards, while limiting the Jags to a franchise low 26. THIS IS NOT A MISPRINT! They took it to the Jags, and took it to them hard.

Going into this game, not many people gave them an inkling of a chance to even compete. Vegas had them as 10 1/2 point underdogs, and that seemed generous. They were facing the NFL's leading receiver in Jimmy Smith, and their was nothing to make us think that he wouldn't continue his onslaught on NFL Defensive Backs.

Every other team the Steelers have faced this year would make big plays at will against our secondary. This time it was different. The Steelers actually had a pass rush.

The result was Mark Brunell being sacked 7 times, and Jimmy Smith limited to 2 receptions for 20 yards in garbage time.

When they tried running the ball to get something started, they were stuffed time and time again. Fred Taylor was limited to 24 yards on 15 carries. This is a guy considered to be one of the elite RB's in the NFL. Not on this day.

The Defensive line, thought by most to be the weakest part of the Steelers, was strutting it's stuff. Kimo Von Oelhoffen was a terror at Nose Tackle, and refused to be moved by anyone. He effectively took the Jags out of their game plan, and forced them to try and throw the ball.

Throwing the ball didn't work either. Brunell was running for his life all day. The Steelers actually had a pass rush from a Defensive Lineman! Aaron Smith took hold of his End spot with a 2 sack performance. On one of them, he blew by Tony Boselli and left him grabbing at air. If this group can keep this up, the season has a lot of hope left in it.

The Coaching staff has to be given high marks for this one. After losing 3 straight games, 2 of them in heartbreak fashion, the players could have started to lose faith in themselves. The coaches wouldn't allow it. They came into a game no one expected them to win, and played with an intensity reserved for playoff participants. If they can keep it up, who knows?

As far as victories go, this one has to rate as one of the most important in the last 2 years. A big road win against an elite Division rival. It has to instill confidence in the players, and the system they are playing in. If they can go into New York and play with the same intensity against the Jets, we might start thinking playoffs instead of high draft pick.

by SteelerGil (October 2, 00)