"At least we're within field goal range"
Even thought it kept me up WAY past my bedtime, the Steelers-Chargers game played last night in San Diego was everything Monday Night football should be: exciting, close, nail-biting, and with the Steelers coming off with a win, of course! Jeff Reed's 40-yard field goal put the Steelers up 24-22 with :06 left on the clock. There was a lot of gripping and holding of breaths at the Cooper household during that kick. The bad news is, Ben Roethlisberger went down in the 4th quarter with 1:05 left on the game clock after driving the Steelers down the field and completing a 9 yard pass to Antwaan Randle El. According to wide receiver Hines Ward, as Ben was laying on the field he said to the trainers and Hines, "At least we're within field goal range." True enough, but at that point the Steelers had only reached the Chargers' 29 yard line, meaning Jeff Reed would have had to kick a 47 yard field goal to win the game. Why risk it when you've got the Bus? 3rd string quarterback Charlie Batch came in and gave it to Jerome Bettis who pounded the ball another 7 yards, lining the ball just off center for Jeff Reed's game winning kick. Apparently at the end of the game, Sproles, the Chargers' 5'6" kick returner fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Pittsburgh. Ah. Sweet victory. This Sunday the Steelers play the Jaguars at Heinz Field ... and I wonder who the quarterback is going to be? With Tommy Maddox out with a calf injury, and Big Ben's status unknown ... well the Steelers should be happy they are 4 deep at running back. Update on Ben's status as soon as I know anything.