STEELERS AT BROWNS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2008 AT CLEVELAND BROWNS STADIUM - KICKOFF 8:15 P.M. POST-GAME NOTES
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*Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Post-Game Notes
September 14, 2008
Team Notes:
• Pittsburgh won its 10th straight game in the series against the Browns and improved to 58-55 all-time (including the postseason) in the series. The 10 straight victories is the longest current winning streak in the NFL against a single opponent.
• The Steelers have won 16 of the past 17 games (including playoffs) in the series against Cleveland.
• Pittsburgh has won eight straight games in Cleveland and are 9-1 all-time at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
• The Steelers improved to 49-24 (including playoffs) against the Browns since the NFL merger in 1970.
• The Steelers have now won their last 15 regular-season games on the road when leading after the third quarter.
• Pittsburgh has won eight of its last 10 games against AFC North Division opponents.
• Pittsburgh scored the game's first points asQB Ben Roethlisberger *found a wide-openWR Hines Ward in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown with 6:26 left in the second quarter. It was Ward's third receiving touchdown of the season and the 68th of his career.
• Cleveland had a scoring opportunity with less than 10 seconds remaining in the first half, butS Troy Polamalu picked off a QB Derek Anderson pass at the three-yard line to keep the Browns scoreless in the first half. It was Polamalu's second interception of the season and the 12th of his career.
• In two games this season, the Steelers have given up just three first-half points (3 vs. Houston, Week 1).
•K Jeff Reed stretched the lead to 10-0 with 7:58 left in the third quarter with a 48-yard field goal.
• Browns' K Phil Dawson booted a 31-yard field goal on the ensuing drive to cut the Steelers' lead to 10-3 with 1:25 remaining in the third quarter.
• Dawson added a 38-yard field goal with 3:21 remaining in the game to trim the lead to 10-6.
• However, Pittsburgh was able to get two first downs and wind the clock down to just 26 seconds before giving the ball back to Cleveland. The Browns were unable to score in the final seconds of the game.
• Pittsburgh outgained the Browns, 281-208, including 117-53 on the ground.
• The Steelers converted just 25 percent (3 of 12) of their third downs while the Browns converted 47 percent (7 of 15).
• Pittsburgh had two interceptions for the second straight game as Polamalu and CB Bryant McFadden each posted picks.
• The Steelers tallied two sacks, both by DE Aaron Smith. Cleveland had three sacks on Roethlisberger.
• Pittsburgh was penalized seven times for 60 yards while Cleveland was flagged 10 times for 65 yards.
•QB Dennis Dixon (3rd QB),WR Limas Sweed,DB Deshea Townsend,RB Gary Russell,LB Bruce Davis,OT Tony Hills,OT Trai Essex andDE Orpheus Roye were inactive.
*Individual Notes:
QB Ben Roethlisberger
• Finished 12-for-19 for 186 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions (113.0 passer rating). It was his 29th career (including postseason) 100-plus passer rating game and the second this season.
• Hit WR Hines Ward for an 11-yard touchdown with 6:26 left in the first half to give Pittsburgh a 7-0 lead.
• Improved to 10-0 (including the playoffs) when playing in his hometown state of Ohio. He is a perfect 5-0 against the Browns.
• Improved to 18-4 as a starter against AFC North Division opponents, having won seven straight. In 22 games versus the AFC North as a starter, has 11 games with a 100-plus passer rating.
• Has a 10-1 record all-time against AFC North foes on the road.
• Improved to 41-16 all-time as a starting quarterback.
RB Willie Parker
• Finished with 105 yards rushing on 28 attempts (3.8 avg.), including a long of 19 yards. It marked his second 100-yard rushing game of the season and the 23rd of his career.
• Moved past John Henry Johnson into third place on the team's all-time rushing list.
• Team improved to 20-3 when he rushes for over 100 yards.
WR Hines Ward
• Finished with five catches for 59 yards (11.8 avg.) with one touchdown. It marked Ward's 68th career receiving touchdown.
• Hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger in the second quarter to give Pittsburgh a 7-0 lead.
• Has now caught a pass in a team-record 148 straight games.
WR Santonio Holmes
• Finished with a team-high 94 yards receiving on five receptions (18.8 avg.).
• Hauled in a 48-yard pass from Roethlisberger in the third quarter.
• Rushed one time for 10 yards.
TE Heath Miller
• Caught two passes for 33 yards (16.5 avg.), including a 19-yarder for a first down as the Steelers tried to run out the clock on their last possession of the game.
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*LB Larry Foote
• Had six tackles (four solo).
LB James Farrior
• Finished with five tackles (all solo), including one tackle for loss.
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*CB Ike Taylor
• Finished with a team-high (tied) six tackles (all solo).
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*CB Bryant McFadden
• Made his first start of the season (11th career) in place of the injured CB Deshea Townsend.
• Posted his first interception of the season (sixth career) in the second quarter off QB Derek Anderson.
• Finished with five tackles (all solo) and three passes defensed.
S Troy Polamalu
• Picked off a pass on the last play of the first half deep in the Steelers' territory, stopping a potential score by the Browns. It was Polamalu's second interception of the season and the 12th of his career.
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DE Aaron Smith
• Posted two sacks (11 yards) and finished with four tackles (all solo).
• His two sacks give him 38.5 for his career, which is ninth all-time.
**P Mitch Berger
• Finished with six punts for 273 yards (45.5 avg.), including a long of 55 yards.
• Had a 52-yard punt that was downed at the eight-yard line midway through the first quarter.
K Jeff Reed
• Finished with four points, including one FG and one PAT.
• Booted a 48-yard field goal with just under eight minutes remaining in the third quarter to give Pittsburgh a 10-0 lead.
