Sunday, December 16, 2012

Steelers Lose To Cowboys 27-24 In OT But Still In The Hunt



Cowboys Edge Steelers In Overtime 27-24


I had all kinds of strange feelings watching this game (more than normal). And the numbers didn't allay my anxiety.

Steelers only rushed about 30% of the time. But it was the Cowboys time-of-possession that continued to increase my anxiety. Steelers had the ball for 27 minutes. On the other hand, the Cowboys were in possession over 34 minutes, a full 7 precious minutes---a lifetime in football. Dallas also edged out the Steelers in first downs, 23-20.

Roethlisberg had a decent game when it came to his stats. He was 24/40 for 339 yards with one interception and two TD's. Wallace, Miller and Brown had a total of 263 yards on 19 receptions. Dwyer, Redman and Rainey ran for 67 yards on 15 carries for an average of just under 5 yards per carry.

The proverbial "nail in the coffin" came on the second play of overtime when Brandon Carr intercepted a Roethlisberger pass setting up the overtime 21 yard field goal to end the game.

Meanwhile this was the Steelers second straight loss since Roethlisberger's return. It was also their 4th loss in 5 games at a time in the season when any football team needs to win games.

Steelers (7-7) remain in the hunt for wild card. Steelers play Cincinnati at home next week. As Coach Tomlin said after today's game, "the margin for error is zero." The Steelers need to beat Cincinnati next week and Cleveland the following week to make the playoffs as the sixth seed.