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Steelers Hang On, Beat Jets in a Nail-Biter

Pittsburgh dominated, then held on

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 23, 2011 8:55 PM CST

(Newser) – The Pittsburgh Steelers advanced to their third Super Bowl in six years thanks to a big-play defense that returned a fumble for a touchdown and staged a late goal-line stand in a 24-19 victory over the New York Jets. Pittsburgh, which led 24-0 in the first half and held on, faces the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl in Dallas in two weeks. The Packers beat Chicago 21-14 earlier today.

The Steelers have won a record six Super Bowls, reports the AP. New York (13-5) has not been back since winning the most significant Super Bowl in 1969, validating the AFL with a victory over Baltimore.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) runs away from New York Jets safety Brodney Pool (22) during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) runs away from New York Jets safety Brodney Pool (22) during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan....   (Keith Srakocic)
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez tries to keep warm on the sidelines during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez tries to keep warm on the sidelines during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23,...   (Charles Krupa)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) surges for a 1-yard touchdown in the grasp of New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott (57) during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) surges for a 1-yard touchdown in the grasp of New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott (57) during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football...   (Gene J. Puskar)
A Pittsburgh Steelers fan yells during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.
A Pittsburgh Steelers fan yells during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.   (Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger runs the ball against the New York Jets during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger runs the ball against the New York Jets during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.   (Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is dragged down by Jets safety Brodney Pool after a run during the second half of the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is dragged down by Jets safety Brodney Pool after a run during the second half of the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Jets linebacker Calvin Pace during the second half of the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Jets linebacker Calvin Pace during the second half of the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.   (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger beats Jets linebacker Bryan Thomas (58) and defensive tackle Sione Pouha (91) on a 2-yard touchdown run during the first half of the AFC championship game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger beats Jets linebacker Bryan Thomas (58) and defensive tackle Sione Pouha (91) on a 2-yard touchdown run during the first half of the AFC championship game in Pittsburgh,...   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks to the sidelines during the first half of the AFC Championship game against the Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks to the sidelines during the first half of the AFC Championship game against the Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.   (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 4 comments
Aitchondo
Jan 24, 2011 7:36 AM CST
By having twelve men on the field. It was just a game for me, my team is out of it, but after watching three bad calls or non-calls in the first quarter, all going against the Jets, I just went to bed. Hope GB kicks their ass.
Kant
Jan 23, 2011 9:09 PM CST
How do you "trounce" a team in a "nail-biter"?

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