Three and Out

Three and Out

I just watched the greatest game ever played. Last night's Monday Night Football match-up had it all -- horrible turf, a horrendous team, injuries, turnovers, Ricky Williams sightings and what every football fan craves the most -- no scoring.

Yea, it sure was a classic. Two unevenly matched teams colliding on a filthy swamp of a playing field. The Miami Dolphins entered the game winless. Sixty minutes and three points later, the Pittsburgh Steelers continued Miami's losing streak.  

Joey Porter was fired up for his return to Pittsburgh. Porter picked off Big Ben early in the first quarter. Porter's pick took the momentum away from the Steelers, who were making solid gains on their first drive. Overall, Porter played a great game.

Ricky Williams Sighting!

Ricky Williams made his first appearance on a third-and-four situation in the first quarter. Ricky drove hard and picked up the first down. His next couple runs were met with stiff resistance from the stout Steelers D.

On Miami's next series, Ricky Williams was gaining positive yards. But after James Farrior crushed him and forced a fumble, Williams came off the field with a gimpy shoulder. Replays showed rookie LB Lawrence Timmons stepping on Ricky's back while Timmons recovered the fumble. It looked kinda painful, and Williams had to be taken to the locker room.  

Both teams couldn't get it going on offense. Useless reverse plays, runs for no yardage and punt after punt -- that's pretty much how the first half went down. Miami and Pittsburgh combined for 183 total yards of offense in the first half.

The Second Half Begins

After a scoreless first half, both teams wanted to find a rhythm on offense. They didn't.

The total second half yardage posted by both teams was 192 yards.

The Dolphins did enter the second half energized. Beck was making solid gains. He lead Miami to a crucial 4th and 15 at the Steelers 31. The Steelers D swarmed, caused a loss of nine yards and a turnover on downs.

This was just a physical, bruising game. Both teams were getting pressure and the Steelers were taking out running backs left and right. Steelers safety Anthony Smith punished Miami running back Jesse Chatman with a ruthless shot. Chatman got up, shook it off, trotted off the field and collapsed on the turf. He had to leave the game.

QB John Beck was looking borderline-sharpish with just over 11 minutes to play in the game. That's when James Harrison cracked him and caused him to cough up the ball. Beck walked off the field with a face full of mud. Dolphins fans may have wanted to see a FG attempt in that situation, but Cam Cameron knew better.

The Steelers offense stepped back into the slog and started moving the ball. When the Dolphins brought pressure, another untimely sack ended Pittsburgh's drive.

On Pittsburgh's final drive, Hines Ward took over. Ben Roethlisberger made some solid throws to move the Steelers into field goal range. Jeff Reed drilled his chip shot. Three points -- ballgame.

It was the lowest scoring game in the history of Monday Night Football.

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