SUNDAY JANUARY 18TH, 6:30PM- Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
The Patriots struck first, driving 12 plays, 82 yards, culminating with a Brady to Moss 7 yard touchdown connection, to take a 7-0 lead late in the 1st quarter. The Steelers answered with an 8 play, 77 yard drive. Ben Roethlesberger found Santonio Holmes for a 33 yard touchdown, tying the game, 7-7.
Several minutes later, Troy Polomalu intercepted a Brady pass and returned to the Patriots 41. One play later, Rothlesberger found Holmes for 34 yards to the New England 5. Roethlesberger then connected with Mwelde Moore for a 5 yard touchdown. Pittsburgh led 14-7 with 5:56 remaining in the half. The Steelers drove into Patriots territory again, however, James Sanders intercepted Roethlesberger derailing the drive. The Patriots then drove 10 plays, 55 yards, culminating with a Brady to Welker 5 yard touchdown pass. The game was tied 14-14 at halftime.
Neither team was able to move the ball for the majority of the 3rd quarter.
A Brady interception led to a Jeff Reed field goal from 24 yards to give the Steelers a 17-14 lead with 13:03 remaining in the game. With 7:47 remaining, the Steelers were threatening at the Patriots 42 but Tedy Bruschi intercepted Roethlesberger ending the drive. The Patriots drove deep into the Steelers territory. On 2nd and goal, Brady found Moss in the back of the end zone for a 9 yard. New England now led 21-17 with 4:15 remaining in the game.
The Steelers drove into Patriots territory. Ellis Hobbs was called for a pass interference on Holmes giving the Steelers a first and goal at the one. Rothlesberger then found Hines Ward for a 1 yard touchdown. The Steelers now led 24-21 with 1:46 remaining.
The Patriots drove to the Steelers 44 where they faced 4th and 9 with 0:35 remaining. On 4th and 9, Brady looked for Welker over the middle but the ball was tipped away by Polumalu incomplete. However, Polumalu was flagged for pass interference saving New England’s drive. A few plays later, Gostkowski connected on a 29 yard field goal forcing overtime.
The Steelers opened overtime by driving into New England territory at the 42. However, an Adalius Thomas sack of Roethlesberger derailed their scoring chance. On their next possession, the Steelers drove into Patriots territory again. On 2nd and 7 from the 41, Roethlesberger connected with Holmes for 13 yards. However, James Sanders forced a Holmes fumble. The Steelers had squandered another drive.
Brady led the Patriots downfield finding Welker three times on the drive. Their final connection, an 11 yard completion, set up a game winning Gostkowski 28 yard field goal. New England advances to its second straight Super Bowl and 5th in the last 8 years. They will face the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals who defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 32-25.
For the game, Brady completed 37 of 59 passes for 396 yards with 3 TDs and 2 INTS. Wes Welker led the Patriots in receiving with a career high 14 catches for 148 yards and 1 TD. We’re on to Super Bowl LXIII!
NEW ENGLAND 27 PITTSBURGH 24- FINAL (OVERTIME)
The Patriots struck first, driving 12 plays, 82 yards, culminating with a Brady to Moss 7 yard touchdown connection, to take a 7-0 lead late in the 1st quarter. The Steelers answered with an 8 play, 77 yard drive. Ben Roethlesberger found Santonio Holmes for a 33 yard touchdown, tying the game, 7-7.
Several minutes later, Troy Polomalu intercepted a Brady pass and returned to the Patriots 41. One play later, Rothlesberger found Holmes for 34 yards to the New England 5. Roethlesberger then connected with Mwelde Moore for a 5 yard touchdown. Pittsburgh led 14-7 with 5:56 remaining in the half. The Steelers drove into Patriots territory again, however, James Sanders intercepted Roethlesberger derailing the drive. The Patriots then drove 10 plays, 55 yards, culminating with a Brady to Welker 5 yard touchdown pass. The game was tied 14-14 at halftime.
Neither team was able to move the ball for the majority of the 3rd quarter.
A Brady interception led to a Jeff Reed field goal from 24 yards to give the Steelers a 17-14 lead with 13:03 remaining in the game. With 7:47 remaining, the Steelers were threatening at the Patriots 42 but Tedy Bruschi intercepted Roethlesberger ending the drive. The Patriots drove deep into the Steelers territory. On 2nd and goal, Brady found Moss in the back of the end zone for a 9 yard. New England now led 21-17 with 4:15 remaining in the game.
The Steelers drove into Patriots territory. Ellis Hobbs was called for a pass interference on Holmes giving the Steelers a first and goal at the one. Rothlesberger then found Hines Ward for a 1 yard touchdown. The Steelers now led 24-21 with 1:46 remaining.
The Patriots drove to the Steelers 44 where they faced 4th and 9 with 0:35 remaining. On 4th and 9, Brady looked for Welker over the middle but the ball was tipped away by Polumalu incomplete. However, Polumalu was flagged for pass interference saving New England’s drive. A few plays later, Gostkowski connected on a 29 yard field goal forcing overtime.
The Steelers opened overtime by driving into New England territory at the 42. However, an Adalius Thomas sack of Roethlesberger derailed their scoring chance. On their next possession, the Steelers drove into Patriots territory again. On 2nd and 7 from the 41, Roethlesberger connected with Holmes for 13 yards. However, James Sanders forced a Holmes fumble. The Steelers had squandered another drive.
Brady led the Patriots downfield finding Welker three times on the drive. Their final connection, an 11 yard completion, set up a game winning Gostkowski 28 yard field goal. New England advances to its second straight Super Bowl and 5th in the last 8 years. They will face the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals who defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 32-25.
For the game, Brady completed 37 of 59 passes for 396 yards with 3 TDs and 2 INTS. Wes Welker led the Patriots in receiving with a career high 14 catches for 148 yards and 1 TD. We’re on to Super Bowl LXIII!
NEW ENGLAND 27 PITTSBURGH 24- FINAL (OVERTIME)