The Pittsburgh Steelers polished off the New York Jets on Sunday in the AFC Championship, booking a ticket to Dallas for the Super Bowl in the process. Like the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship, the Steelers looked to be running away with the game before the Jets came storming back. In a game of runs, the Steelers did just enough down the wire to secure the game, and a trip to the Super Bowl.The Steelers scored the first 24 points of the game and looked to have the championship well in hand by halftime. The Jets could only muster a first half field goal, heading into the half down 24-3.
In the second half, the Jets came alive on both sides of the ball, nearly stringing together an impressive comeback. A 45-yard strike from Mark Sanchez to Santonio Holmes early in the half brought the Jets to within 14 and was the only score of the third quarter.
Halfway through the fourth, the Jets failed miserably from the Pittsburgh one-yard-line, turning the ball over on downs and squandering a good look at a touchdown. They did, however, come away with points after forcing a safety on the ensuing possession.
After a lengthy drive following the free kick, the Jets finally found the end zone again with Jerricho Cotchery’s four-yard catch. That was as close as they’d get as the Steelers were able to run out the clock over the last three minutes to seal the game and walk away with a 24-19 win. The Packers took home the NFC Championship earlier in the day, dropping the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, 21-14.
Pittsburgh Steelers play the Green Bay Packers at Super Bowl XLV on Sunday February 6, 2011 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
