At the edge of elimination from the NFL Playoff Schedule , the Pittsburgh Steelers avoided the collapse in the fourth quarter and extended their season.
All ended three hours later.
The still reigning Super Bowl Odds champions to the side sent two Miami quarterbacks, including Pat White with a worrying injury to the head, and beat the Dolphins 30-24 on Sunday. But Pittsburgh (9-7) ended up being eliminated when Baltimore tied the NFL Playoff Brackets when they win in Oakland 21-13.
"I'd rather stay out winning than losing," said Ben Roethlisberger, who threw three touchdown passes.
The Dolphins (7-9), who won the AFC East last season, were eliminated in the final 2 minutes when Houston beat New England. The Dolphins spent much of his season trying to recover from an 0-3 start, climbing above .500 for the first time being 7-6, then lost the last three games.
"I told the team that a 7-9 is mediocrity, and mediocrity are not going to accept this," said second-year coach Tony Sparano.
Pittsburgh ruined his season with the unfortunate falling Chiefs, Raiders and Browns in a span of 19 days where he recorded five defeats in a row.
"We did what we should do and take care of our own," said Santonio Holmes. "So we have to suffer the consequences of our actions."
Many fans of the Steelers stayed with them until the end. Many dressed in black and gold remained in the stadium, and the visiting team gave them much to cheer.
LaMarr Woodley led the defensive shots with two sacks, two kills and three-time rushing quarterbacks the Dolphins. Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 94 yards and Willie Parker added 91.
But the crowd was silenced when White was taken off the field with a head injury caused in a crash helmet to helmet with cornerback Ike Taylor. White moved his arms and legs before being evacuated from the area in a delay of eight minutes and was taken to hospital for examination.
"I said, I hope you feel better kid," said Taylor, who was unhurt. "You never want to see someone fall like that. He kept repeating Thanks. and I just told him to expect improvement. "
Tyler Thigpen made his first appearance with the Dolphins.
Sports Odds : They were down 27-10, when Thigpen led two sets to a pair of touchdowns.
With 6 minutes remaining and the score 27-24, Joey Porter recovered a fumble on one sack Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh 13 yard line that gave Miami a chance to take the lead. But Thigpen was intercepted by Ryan Clark in the yard 2.
Roethlisberger drove 83 yards in 14 plays to Pittsburgh for Jeff Reed put the score 30-24 with 40 seconds remaining. Taylor intercepted Thigpen on the next play from Miami to seal the result.
