After two rounds of matches, we have reached the Sweet 16 of our Steelers March Sadness event. The 64 worst moments in Pittsburgh Steelers history will continue to compete until a winner is determined. Only one moment from the dynasty era is still on the board. Let’s go to the games!
With 4:08 remaining in the fourth quarter and behind 20-17, Pittsburgh still had a chance for a miraculous comeback. On second down from his own 32-yard line, Neil O’Donnell threw his second and most devastating interception to Larry Brown. Two plays later, Emmitt Smith scored, bringing the score to 27-17.
With just more than seven minutes remaining in the game, the Steelers trimmed the margin to 28-25. Green Bay then faced a third-and-ten. Ike Taylor was covering Greg Jennings, but he was a step ahead. Aaron Rodgers completed the ball for 31 yards. Green Bay would eventually expand its lead to 31-25.
Despite being greatly favored and dominating time of possession, Pittsburgh led only 13-10 entering the fourth quarter. With 5:13 remaining in the game and down 16-13, San Diego faced a third-and-14 from the Pittsburgh 43. Instead of trying for the first down, Stan Humphries went all in, finding Tony Martin a step ahead of Tim McKyer in the end zone to take the lead for the first time.
Ben Roethlisberger has another shot to play the Super Bowl hero. With 56 seconds remaining, Pittsburgh was down 31-25. Big Ben was unable to keep the drive and the dream alive, as the ball to Mike Wallace fell incomplete.
Pittsburgh trailed 21-17 entering the fourth quarter, but momentum was on their favor. The Steelers were facing a second-and-two at the Green Bay 33 when they handed the ball to Rashard Mendenhall. Clay Matthews and Ryan Pickett struck him behind the line of scrimmage, removing the ball from his body and allowing the Packers to recover it.
On Pittsburgh’s first snap from scrimmage, Maurkice Pouncey sent the ball over Ben Roethlisberger’s head, and Cleveland recovered in the end zone.