The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

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