Special Sub-Topic: The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers Click Here To Play: The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers scored 25 points against the Tennessee Titans to open the season.

False. The Steelers actually defeated the Titans 34-7.

What did the Houston Texans do to try to wear down the Steelers?

Opened the roof of the stadium. The Texans thought the heat and humidity in south Texas would work to their advantage, so they opened the roof, allowing the sun to beat down on the black jersey wearing Steelers. They should have left it closed, as the Steelers won 27-7

Including the 2004 season, the Steelers had won how many consecutive games before losing to the Patriots in week 3?

16. The 16 straight wins was a franchise record and good enough for second on the all-time list at the time, behind the Patriots 18-game streak. Ironically, the Pats streak had ended the year before, at the hands of the Steelers.

In week 5 against the Chargers in San Diego, who had the Steelers only sack?

Joey Porter. Although the Steelers won 24-22, it was not their best defensive effort, but enough to get the job done. Although he had no sacks, Harrison did get the Steelers only interception of the game.

The Steelers lost an overtime heartbreaker to the Jaguars. Who threw his third interception of the game in overtime, and which Jaguar returned it for the winning touchdown?

Maddox, Mathis. Despite a defensive effort that gave the Steelers an opportunity to win, Tommy Maddox threw three interceptions and fumbled in the 23-17 loss.

In the Steelers 27-13 victory over the Bengals, which Steeler led the team in both receptions and yardage?

Heath Miller. Big Ben only completed 9 passes to two receivers in this game for 93 yards. Ward caught 3 for 35 and Miller had 6 for 58. Both caught TD passes and the Steelers moved to 4-2 with the victory. Hines Ward also had one carry for 4 yards.

In the second of three appearances on "Monday Night Football", the Steelers hosted the Baltimore Ravens, winning 20-19 on a 37-yard field goal by Jeff Reed with 1:36 left. Which special teams player attempted his only pass of the season?

Chris Gardocki. The first pass Gardocki attempted since the 1995 season fell incomplete. On the bright side, his streak of consecutive punts without having one blocked was still intact.

Against the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh forced 3 turnovers, including the return of a Brett Favre fumble, 77 yards for a touchdown. Which defensive stalwart scored that touchdown?

Polamalu. Polamalu had been called for a 33-yard pass interference penalty earlier in the same drive. When Bryant McFadden forced Favre's fumble, Polamalu made up for his earlier mistake by scoring what would turn out to be the winning touchdown.

In Pittsburgh's 34-21 win against the Browns, Matt Kranchick caught the only pass of his NFL career. Which quarterback threw this pass?

Tommy Maddox. Matt Kranchick, a tight end, played for 4 teams in 3 seasons (Steelers, Giants, Buccaneers, and Patriots), seeing action in 6 games and catching the ball once. The other players had caught numerous passes over the course of their careers. Counting the Super Bowl, Vrabel had 10 career catches, for 14 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Steelers second overtime loss of the year came on the road against the Baltimore Ravens. Including the 2004 season, how many consecutive road games had the Steelers won prior to this one?

11. Ironically, in 2004, the Ravens had also handed the Steelers their last loss on the road as well.

While getting blown out by the Colts, which receiver had the longest reception of teh game for the Steelers?

Cedric Wilson. Surprisingly, the often overlooked Wilson caught a 35 yard pass from Roethlisberger on the first play of the 4th quarter. It wasnt nearly enough, as the Steelers turned the ball over on downs 6 plays later, eventually losing 24-7

Who recorded the only sack for the Steelers in thier 38-31 loss to the Bengals?

Clark Haggans. Haggans provided the only bright spot on a defense that surrendered 38 points, 324 yards and forced no turnovers. He would go on to record 9 sacks for the year, a career high.

Against the Bears in Pittsburgh, Jerome Bettis rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns as the Steelers snapped a 3 game losing streak. Which Steelers rushed for negative 2 yards in the game?

Ben Roethlisberger. In a game played in the snow and muck of Heinz Field, Bettis showed that "The Bus" still had a little something in the tank as he notched his first 100 yard game of the year, plowing over the Bears all-Everything linebacker, Brian Urlacher in the process.

Facing playoff elimination, the Steelers traveled to Minnesota and beat the Vikings 18-3. Who scored the games final points?

Foote and Porter. With 11:51 left in the 4th quarter, the Vikings attempted to rush up the middle from thier own 2 yard line. Foote and Porter stuffed running back Michael Bennett for a 2 yard loss and safety.

Hanging on to thier playoff lives, the Steelers venture into Cleveland and proceed to beat the Browns like they stole something. The final score was 41-0 and Big Ben completed 13 passes. How many different receivers did he use?

6. All-World receiver Hines Ward caught seven of Ben's passes and Cedric Wilson caught two. The other four (Miller, Randle El, Haynes and Krieder) caught one each. Quincy Morgan caught 1 pass as well, a 31 yard touchdown from Charlie Batch.

In the season finale, the Steelers scored first on an 81 yard punt return for a touchdown by Antwaan Randle El. How much time was left in the 1st quarter after he scored?

13:43. The Steelers defense held the Lions to 3 and out on thier opening drive. On the ensuing punt, Randle El burned them for the touchdown. In his last homegame, Jerome Bettis added 3 touchdowns and 41 yards to his Hall of Fame resume.

Wild card weekend. Despite finishing with identical records and splitting the season series, the Bengals won the division. Traveling to Cincinnatti, the Steelers knocked Palmer out of the game early enroute to a 31-17 victory. How many times did the Steelers sack Bengals quarterback carson Palmer?

0. Palmer was injured on the Bengals second play when Kimo von Olhoffen hit him a split second after he released the ball. Jon Kitna, the Bengals backup quarterback was sacked 3 times and intercepted twice.

Divisional round of the playoffs, at Indianapolis. Even though the final score was 21-18, the game wasnt that close and only a blown call by the officials allowed the Colts to make it seem like it was. Who scored the games final point for the Steelers?

Jeff Reed. While three different players score touchdowns (Miller, ward and randle El), the Steelers final point came on Jeff Reed's extra point after Bettis' 3rd quarter touchdown.

AFC Championship in Denver. The Steelers became first #6 seed in NFL history to reach the conference championship game and after beating the Broncos, the first to advance to the Super Bowl. The Steelers won in spite of committing 4 turnovers and giving up 3 sacks.

False. Actually, it was the Broncos who had four turnovers and gave up 3 sacks. The Steelers had no turnovers and gave up 2 sacks.

SUPER BOWL XL. Fitting that the ultimate XL running back would play his final game in his hometown of Detroit. Superbowl MVP Hines Ward did the typical post game commercial by saying "I'm going to Disney World!" How did he say he was getting there?

I'm taking "The Bus". It was the perfect end to a not so perfect season. The Steelers became the third team with 5 Superbowl rings , along with the 49ers and Cowboys.