Former Steelers Coach Reveals Major Secret About Game-Winning Drive In Super Bowl XLIII
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been treading water in the NFL over the last decade or so as the team has managed to be competitive during the regular season, but has not really been a threat in the playoffs. The franchise has not won a postseason game in eight seasons, and that is a drought that fans are hoping will come to an end in 2025. There once was a time where it seemed that the Steelers were a threat in the playoffs every year. This was back when
The last meaningful playoff run the Steelers went on came at the end of the 2016 season when the franchise made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game. Before that, Pittsburgh made it to Super Bowl XLV at the end of the 2010 season, but lost to the
"We start out with this holding penalty," Arians explained. "Had to put it all on Ben. You know, at this time, Hines Ward could barely run. Nate Washington had a separated shoulder. So they're two guys he couldn't throw to. He had Santonio [Holmes], the running back, and Heath Miller. Ben was lights out. What he did, especially that last throw. Santonio gets all the credit for the catch, but the pump, pump, pump, and then that throw... Only about five guys in the world can make that throw."
Pittsburgh got the ball back in Super Bowl XLIII facing a three-point deficit with just about two and a half minutes remaining in the game. A holding penalty forced the drive to start from the Steelers' own 12-yard line, and Roethlisberger had to be a hero to move the ball down the field. Arians revealed that
Ward and Nate Washington were banged up, so Roethlisberger had to rely on himself and
Holmes gets a lot of love for his impressive toe drag in the back corner of the end zone on the game-winning touchdown, but Roethlisberger made one of the best throws of his career on the play. He floated the ball over three defenders to where only Holmes could get it.
Steelers Made Plenty Of Legendary Plays In Super Bowl XLIII
Everyone remembers the touchdown from Holmes, but the more impressive play came at the end of the first half as James Harrison
Another crucial play in Super Bowl XLIII that is often forgotten is LaMarr Woodley's strip-sack on Arizona's final drive. The Cardinals had the ball at about midfield with just under :20 seconds left in the game. Arizona was down four and had a slim chance to win the game, but Woodley crushed those hopes by sacking Warner and forcing the ball loose.
Steelers Get Positive Update on Calvin Austin III Injury: Report
The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with a couple new potentially significant injuries during their bye week. But it’s possible the ailment to wide receiver Calvin Austin III isn’t as bad as initially expected.
The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo reported Friday that x-rays to Austin’s shoulder came back negative. DeFabo called the update “good news” and stopped short of reporting that the receiver will definitely miss games.
“I do not know yet if he’ll miss time with injury or not,” DeFabo wrote. “If he does, this could be [Roman] Wilson’s best chance to prove that he deserves a bigger piece of the pie moving forward.”
Austin left last Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. He underwent further evaluation at the hospital in Dublin.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported a day after the injury that Austin was “expected to miss at least several games.”
Will Steelers WR Calvin Austin III Miss Any Time From Shoulder Injury?
It’s probably wishful thinking to hope Austin doesn’t miss any games. While DeFabo wouldn’t confirm that’s going to happen, Dulac’s report suggested an IR stint was likely for receiver.
But with x-rays negative, Austin could avoid the injured list and return sooner than originally expected. It helps that the Steelers are on a bye for Week 5, and Austin is receiving an extra week of rest.
In four games this season, Austin has posted 10 catches for 139 yards with two touchdowns. He had two receptions for 13 yards before exiting in Week 4.
Austin broke out with 36 catches and 548 receiving yards, averaging 15.2 yards per reception, last season. Although his statistics don’t look incredibly impressive yet in 2025, Austin is averaging more receptions and receiving yards per game than a year ago.
