PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers started the 2006 NFL season in much the same way that they finished last season.
A sluggish start, combined with some big plays by Willie Parker and a few key officiating decisions gave the Steelers a 28-17 win over Miami on Thursday night.
From the pregame festivities, which linked the four Super Bowl championships of the 1970s with the one that the Steelers earned last season, to a fourth-quarter comeback, Pittsburgh fans ate up every bit of Steelers action.
The Steelers took to the natural turf at Heinz Field for the first time in more than eight months on Thursday, at least in a game that counted. And they were back on center stage in the NFL, a position they held a little more than seven months ago, when they beat Seattle 21-10 in a controversial Super Bowl XL.
As defending champions, the Steelers earned the right to open the NFL season, a practice the league instituted three years ago. Denver, the team that Pittsburgh defeated in the AFC championship game, was approached about playing in the game, but when the Broncos balked at the opening game, the Dolphins jumped at the chance.
The game, which pitted the NFL’s two winningest franchises since the NFL merger in 1970, provided little to spark the sellout crowd of 64,927 early in the game.
But that didn’t stop the black-and-gold faithful from cranking up the decibel level.
The atmosphere was so electric that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was sitting out the game after an emergency appendectomy, could be seen on the sideline trying to calm down fans as Charlie Batch and the Steelers offense took the field for the first time.
Coach Bill Cowher’s squad, which showed such resiliency in reeling off eight consecutive victories to reach the NFL summit last season, displayed much of the same toughness.
After falling behind 17-14, Batch led the Steelers down the field toward the game-tying or possibly game-winning score.
But in situation eerily similar to Jerome Bettis’ fumble on the goal line in Indianapolis, Batch botched the snap and Miami’s Will Allen pounced on it.
But the Steelers rebounded, shutting down the Dolphins, and getting a controversial 87-yard touchdown catch from Heath Miller. Joey Porter added an interception return later, and Pittsburgh pulled away.
Pro
Eric Knopsnyder | Black and gold have a familiar start
- Pro
-
-
Michigan board gives go-ahead on Winter Classic
The University of Michigan Board of Regents on Wednesday authorized athletic director Dave Brandon to seek a contract with the NHL that would allow the league to hold next year’s Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.
-
Pens fall to Habs in shootout
Tomas Plekanec scored on Montreal’s eighth attempt in the shootout to lead the Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
-
Steelers make it official: Haley’s their man
The Steelers have named Todd Haley their new offensive coordinator.
-
Steelers press release on Todd Haley
PITTSBURGH ― The Pittsburgh Steelers have named Todd Haley as their new offensive coordinator, it was announced today.
-
Johnstown Generals announce 2012 schedule
The Johnstown Generals will open their second season on the road at Cincinnati on March 3 but will play just three of their 10 remaining games away from Cambria County War Memorial according to a league schedule posted on the United Indoor Football League’s website at uiflfootball.com.
-
Crosby practices with Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby practiced Monday but said he is no closer to returning from a concussion and neck injury that have sidelined him for most of the season.
-
Report: Haley will be Steelers’ next O-coordinator
The Steelers will hire former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley to be their offensive coordinator, according to an ESPN report.
-
Manning wins second Super Bowl MVP award
Eli Manning is elite, for sure. A king of comebacks, too. And far, far more than Peyton’s little brother now.
-
Giant Step: New York scores late to beat New England
Eli Manning is the big man in the NFL after one-upping Tom Brady and leading the New York Giants to a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Super Bowl – in older brother Peyton’s house, at that.
-
Panthers win fourth consecutive game
Pittsburgh senior Ashton Gibbs is a happy man now that his backcourt mate, junior Tray Woodall, is back and healthy in the starting lineup. He’s almost as happy as Woodall, who recovered from a groin/abdominal strain to turn in one of his best performances of the season.
- More Pro Headlines
-
Michigan board gives go-ahead on Winter Classic
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
