Steelers shut out SeahawksMonday, October 08, 2007
By Ed Bouchette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Depth chart takes a hit right up until kickoff, but reserves come through on a hot day at Heinz Field
The day turned hot at Heinz Field yesterday -- and the temperature rose as well. Nothing on a sweltering October day burned brighter than the Steelers. If the Seattle Seahawks claimed not to see a Super Bowl performance by the Steelers 20 months ago in Detroit, they witnessed one yesterday in Pittsburgh.
Crushed by injuries right up to the final minutes before kickoff, the Steelers ground the Seahawks like Seattle's Best on the way to a 21-0 victory and their first shutout in the seven-year history of Heinz Field.
"We got it handed to us pretty good," Seattle's Mike Holmgren acknowledged after experiencing a shutout for only the second time in his 245 regular-season games as a NFL coach. The Steelers (4-1) did it with some of their best players on the sideline -- Pro Bowl defenders Troy Polamalu and Casey Hampton did not play, nor did four-time Pro Bowl receiver Hines Ward, all injured. Then, about an hour before kickoff, Santonio Holmes, their other starting receiver, injured his hamstring during warm-ups and joined them on the sideline.
It turned out to be no problem all the way around.
"We take a lot of pride as backups," veteran backup nose tackle Chris Hoke said. "We don't look at ourselves as second-teamers. ... We feel like we can step in and keep this thing going." They never stopped, dominating the Seahawks (3-2) everywhere. Willie Parker ran for 102 yards as the Steelers outgained Seattle on the ground, 163-38. Ben Roethlisberger completed 18 of 22 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown as Seahawks' quarterbacks managed to complete less than half of their passes for 122 yards and an interception. Seattle's offense barely worked up a sweat as the Steelers held onto the ball for nearly 41 minutes of the 60-minute game.
Crushed by injuries right up to the final minutes before kickoff, the Steelers ground the Seahawks like Seattle's Best on the way to a 21-0 victory and their first shutout in the seven-year history of Heinz Field.
"We got it handed to us pretty good," Seattle's Mike Holmgren acknowledged after experiencing a shutout for only the second time in his 245 regular-season games as a NFL coach. The Steelers (4-1) did it with some of their best players on the sideline -- Pro Bowl defenders Troy Polamalu and Casey Hampton did not play, nor did four-time Pro Bowl receiver Hines Ward, all injured. Then, about an hour before kickoff, Santonio Holmes, their other starting receiver, injured his hamstring during warm-ups and joined them on the sideline.
It turned out to be no problem all the way around.
"We take a lot of pride as backups," veteran backup nose tackle Chris Hoke said. "We don't look at ourselves as second-teamers. ... We feel like we can step in and keep this thing going." They never stopped, dominating the Seahawks (3-2) everywhere. Willie Parker ran for 102 yards as the Steelers outgained Seattle on the ground, 163-38. Ben Roethlisberger completed 18 of 22 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown as Seahawks' quarterbacks managed to complete less than half of their passes for 122 yards and an interception. Seattle's offense barely worked up a sweat as the Steelers held onto the ball for nearly 41 minutes of the 60-minute game.
Steelers' Report Card for Week 5
Quarterback: A+
Running Backs: A
Receivers: B+
Offensive line: A
Defensive line: A
Linebackers: A
Secondary: A+
Special teams: C-
Coaching: A
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