N.F.L. 1997 DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF A.F.C.GAME #1
1997 A.F.C DIVISIONAL GAME #1
NEW ENGLAND PARIOTS 6
A.F.C.EAST
Pittsburgh Steelers 7
A.F.C. CENTRAL
Divisional playoffs[edit]
January 3, 1998[edit]
AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, New England Patriots 6[edit]
Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Patriots 0 3 0 3 6
Steelers 7 0 0 0 7
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
Game weather: 55 °F (13… More °C), cloudy
Game attendance: 61,228
Referee: Walt Coleman
TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Randy Cross (color commentator)
[show]Game information
Quarterback Kordell Stewart's 40-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was the difference in a defense-dominated game.
The Patriots were severely depleted by injuries, playing without star running back Curtis Martin. Pro Bowl tight end Ben Coates was limited to just a few plays, while receiver Terry Glenn was out of the game a few minutes into the fourth quarter. On the third play of the game, rookie defensive back Chad Scott intercepted a pass from New England quarterback Drew Bledsoe and returned it 27 yards to the Steelers 38. Stewart then got the team to the Patriots 40-yard line, converting two third downs with 10-yard completions to Charles Johnson before taking the ball the rest of the way to the end zone on a 40-yard score, the longest touchdown run in Steelers playoff history at the time.
In the second quarter, Bledsoe completed two passes to Shawn Jefferson for 29 yards and a 36-yard throw to Glenn on a 65-yard drive that ended with Adam Vinatieri's 31-yard field goal, making the score 7-3. Later on, Pittsburgh drove to the New England 33-yard line, but defensive back Steve Israel intercepted a pass from Stewart. The only remaining highlight of the quarter would be Steelers receiver Will Blackwell's 58-yard punt return on the last play of the half.[9]
On the last play of the third quarter, Bledsoe's 39-yard completion to Glenn led to a 46-yard field goal from Vinatieri, cutting their deficit to 7-6. After a punt from each team, the Steelers had a chance to put the game away with a drive to the Patriots 1-yard line. On fourth down, coach Bill Cowher tried to ice the game with a conversion attempt, but Stewart was stuffed for no gain with 3:24 left in regulation. This gave New England one last chance to drive for a winning field goal and they managed to reach their own 42, but rookie linebacker Mike Vrabel stripped the ball from Bledsoe, and fellow linebacker Jason Gildon recovered it. The Patriots managed to get it back with 34 seconds left, but linebacker Levon Kirkland intercepted Bledsoe's Hail Mary pass on the game's final play.[10]
For the third time in four years, Pittsburgh would play and host the AFC Championship Game. Jefferson was the sole offensive star of the game with nine receptions for 106 yards. Jerome Bettis led the Steelers with 74 yards from scrimmage but was held in check by New England's defense. Blackwell had four punt returns for 78 yards and three kickoff returns for 36. Gildon had a sack and two fumble recoveries. Less