Pittsburgh 24, Dallas 20

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:03 pm

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20041017006

DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys spent a week comparing Steelers rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a young Dan Marino.

How about some Terry Bradshaw to go with it?

Roethlisberger completed 21 of 25 passes and two touchdowns, completing 11 straight throws on the Steelers' last two scoring drives Sunday, leading Pittsburgh to a 24-20 comeback win over the Cowboys.

Roethlisberger is the first rookie quarterback to go 4-0 since Phil Simms on the 1979 New York Giants. He also became the first Pittsburgh quarterback to beat Dallas since Bradshaw in 1982.

And while a rookie led the way, it was a timely Dallas fumble and a short TD from a Steelers old-timer that provided Pittsburgh (5-1) with the winning points.

After the Cowboys' Vinny Testaverde fumbled late in the fourth quarter, the Steelers drove to the 2. Jerome Bettis rumbled in for the final touchdown in the last minute.

The Cowboys (2-3) had one last chance to win with some razzle-dazzle. Dallas covered 30 yards on a pass and lateral that moved the ball to the Pittsburgh 30 with 1 second left. But Testaverde's final throw into the end zone fell incomplete.

James Farrior had two sacks and forced three fumbles for the Steelers, including the last one by Testaverde that changed the game.

But it will be Roethlisberger, the cool rookie who stood in the pocket against a tough pass rush, who will be credited with guiding the Steelers to the win.

Roethlisberger was sharp at the outset. After Richie Anderson capped the Cowboys' first drive with a 21-yard TD run, the Steelers marched downfield to tie it on Roethlisberger's 5-yard pass to Plaxico Burress.

In that one play, Roethlisberger showed more mobility than Marino ever did, scrambling out of the pocket to his right and slinging the ball to Burress an instant before Marcellus Wiley tackled him from behind.

The play excited the many Steelers fans sprinkled throughout Texas Stadium who waved their their signature ``Terrible Towels'' with every first down.

The Cowboys led 13-10 in the third period when Testaverde connected with Keyshawn Johnson on a 22-yard TD. But the Steelers made it 20-17 on Roethlisberger's TD pass to Jerame Tuman.

The Cowboys had a chance to close it out when Farrior made the defensive play of the game, hitting Testaverde and making the ball pop loose. Kimo von Oelhoffen scooped it up and ran to the Dallas 24 to set up the winning drive.

TheMagicThree · Post by **TheMagicThree** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 10:27 pm

How about Big Ben? What a surprise he's been! The Steelers should be good with the offense they have.

TheMagicThree · Post by **TheMagicThree** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 10:31 pm

I think Tommy Maddox will soon call it a career. There's no hope for him now with Roethlisburger.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 10:36 pm

Lack of a running game cost that team from Texas the game today. Under 3 min to go and the Steelers with no timeouts they continued to pass the ball and Vinny fumbled when he was sacked. Granted it was 3rd and ten, but on 1st George gained 1 yard and on 2nd down they ran a reverse inwhich Glenn gave the yard back

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 10:38 pm

TheMagicThree wrote:I think Tommy Maddox will soon call it a career. There's no hope for him now with Roethlisburger.

Yeah he's done... Big Ben hasn't lost a game yet
Looks like the Gints and the Chargers picked the wrong guy

TheMagicThree · Post by **TheMagicThree** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:45 am

Yeah, I don't think Eli will be anywhere close as good as his brother. His brother's work ethic is amazing. I just don't see Eli coming close. As for Rivers.. another wasted pick.

Redskin Stouff · Post by **Redskin Stouff** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:42 am

He was 21 of 25?? Are you kidding me? A rookie qb goes into Dallas and hands them their ass. Beautiful, just beautiful.

redskindave · Post by **redskindave** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:38 am

I love it anytime the Pukes lose, Good job Steelers! HTTR

Texas Hog · Post by **Texas Hog** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 11:07 am

Now if Green Bay can do the same!

Brandon777 · Post by **Brandon777** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 5:40 pm

I have to admit that before the season started, I picked Big Ben to be the QB bust coming out of the 2004 draft. It looks like I'll be eating a big plate of crow now.

TexasCowboy · Post by **TexasCowboy** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:57 am

I will tell you what cost them the game was the fumble of the second half kick off that
Brady James tried to pick up instead of just
falling on it

that was the momentum breaker for the second half one that IMO really changes how the second half