Turnovers doomed Steelers
After the 2001 defeat, Stewart said “the best team didn’t win,” a comment that was replayed the following year in the week leading up to 2002 season opener in New England. The Patriots won that game, 30-14.
Stewart wasn’t alone in his belief that the best team lost in the AFC title game. But the reasons were the same in 2004, when the Steelers again committed four turnovers — one an 87-yard interception return by Harrison — and sent the Patriots to their third Super Bowl victory in four years. “That was a rough game,” inside linebacker James Farrior said the other day, remembering the moment. In those two games, the Steelers committed eight turnovers, the Patriots none
“Those two games they had three returns,” said former coach Bill Cowher. “Certainly you give up two touchdowns on special teams, that usually doesn’t bode well. Turnovers seem to be a common theme in those games.”
Even though Cowher won his first and only Super Bowl in 2005, he said, “You always remember the losses. Both of those circumstances were such we didn’t get it done.”
Since beating the Steelers in the 2001 AFC championship game, the Patriots have been to six Super Bowls with Brady, winning four. The Steelers have been to three, winning two. The winner of today’s meeting will make it to the Super Bowl for a ninth time, more than any other team.
It could have been so different, if not for the Patriots.
“You remember all of them, you remember all the playoff games, especially the championship games, they hurt the most,” Farrior said. “You get so close and work all year and come up short. It was very disappointing.”
That’s why this game drips with so much meaning to the Steelers as a franchise.
“Organization wise, from a fan perspective, from a former player’s perspective, you always have that in the back on your mind,” Farrior said. “But, from a team standpoint, they look at it as the next game they have to play. None of the other games they played will matter at this point. They’re looking at it from totally different eyes than the fans and the staff.”
Said Cowher, “You’re going against a team that has been the hallmark team of the AFC. To me, I honestly believe these are the best two teams in the AFC.”
Just like in the past.