On this day in Steelers history the team pulled off two huge playoff victories.
January 15, 2006
AFC Divisional Round Game
Steelers 21, Indianapolis Colts 18
RCA Dome
It was a fantastic finish, albeit one which had all of Steelers Nation holding their breath.
In the closing minutes and in need of a big play, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was sacked for a 10-yard loss on fourth down, giving the Steelers the ball at the Colts two-yard line. The game appeared to be over, but not even close.
Jerome Bettis did what he never does, fumbled near the goal line when he was hit by Gary Brackett. Nick Harper recovered in stride and looked like he was headed to the opposite end zone.
James Farrior remembers the moment well, remembers the horrible feeling of his heart sinking after he thought victory was in hand.
"I was in total shock when I turned around and I see Harper running down the field," said Farrior. "I'm like 'Oh my God.' I didn't even know what happened. I just turned around and saw a guy running. My heart just dropped to the ground. I really don't know how to describe it, but it was just like being in a scary movie or a scary dream."
But then it all changed when Ben Roethlisberger, the unlikeliest of heroes, made what would become known as "The Tackle." Roethlisberger got Harper with the shoestring tackle at the Colts 42-yard line.
Manning stepped up, moving the ball to the Steelers 28-yard line. Facing fourth-and-two with 21 seconds to play, kicker Mike Vanderjagt came on for the game-winning 46-yard field goal. The Steelers called timeout to ice him, and whether that did the trick or not, the kick went wide right.
"I was just praying it was in the cards for us," said Farrior. "All you can do is just do your job and go through the process. They had to make the kick, and they didn't.
"I was just relieved. I walked off the field with my arms up. It was just a total relief."
January 15, 2011
AFC Divisional Round Game
Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
Heinz Field
Things looked bleak for the Steelers at halftime when they trailed the Ravens 21-7, but this Steelers team wasn't about to be denied.
James Harrison sacked Joe Flacco on the first play of the Ravens first offensive series in the second half, and two plays later Ryan Clark forced a fumble that LaMarr Woodley recovered to give the Steelers the ball at the 23-yard line.
Ben Roethlisberger took advantage, hitting Heath Miller for a nine-yard touchdown to close the gap to 21-14. After exchanging possessions, the Ravens got the ball back and Clark intercepted Flacco and returned it to the 25-yard line. Four plays later Roethlisberger hit Hines Ward for an eight-yard touchdown and a 21-21 tie.
The Steelers took their first lead of the game, 24-21, with an early fourth quarter field goal, but the Ravens responded to tie the game at 24-24. The Steelers had the final say, though, on Rashard Mendenhall's game-winning two-yard touchdown run for the 31-24 win.
