2005 Pittsburgh Steelers: One For The Thumb, Finally

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

At the ripe old age of eight, The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the the Los Angeles Rams to become the first team to win four Super Bowls. 

The greatest dynasty known to the NFL was winding down, and I was too young to really appreciate it.

Having a team as talented and amazing as the 1970s Steelers were is what has bred Steeler Nation. 

And I don't remember most of it.

Growing up as a youth, and into a young man, and into a man, I saw many great teams.  All with the same goal: One For The Thumb.

I watched the Dallas Cowboys pass us, by defeating us in a heartbreaking—and our only—Super Bowl loss.  I watched Joe Montana and Steve Young start with  zero and pass us as well.

I watched the '85 Bears become a team that many called the greatest defense ever.  And I even watched the hated Browns not only leave Cleveland, but win a Super Bowl in Baltimore as the Ravens.

And the whole time, I was still wishing for One For The Thumb.

Then it happened.

The 2005 season started out with high expectations, as many years previous.  But this time was different.

Our young gunslinger, Ben Roethlisberger was no longer the rookie kid.  Jerome Bettis decided to come back for one more try, after Big Ben promised him they would go to the Super Bowl.  And Dick LeBeau was still calling the shots on the defense.

This year really could be One For The Thumb.

In the opening game of the season, Willie Parker replaced an injured Jerome Bettis and Deuce Staley against the Tennessee Titans.

Parker showed much promise in the final game of the 2004 season aginst the Buffalo Bills.  I was excited that he was getting his chance.  And he made the most of it, rushing for 161 yards in a 34-7 rout, and an opening-day victory.

Following a bye week in week four, Pittsburgh was 2-1, heading into San Diego to play the Chargers on Monday Night Football.  On the deciding drive in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger took a shot to his knee that would sideline him for five of the next six games.

Pittsburgh would win four of the next five games behind Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch.

Pittsburgh went into Ben's first week back against the Super Bowl favorites—the Indianapolis Colts.

From the first offensive play of the game, Peyton Manning, on a play-action fake hit Marvin Harrison for an 80 yard TD reception, it was down hill from there.  The Colts went on to win 26-7.

Things were no better the following week, as the Steelers hosted the Cincinnati Bengals for control of the division.  The Bengals came out swinging.  And even though the Steelers put 31 points on the board, in a very non-like Steelers fashion, the Bengals scored 38. 

Cincinnati put a stranglehold on the AFC North championship, and forced Pittsburgh to go for the Wild Card if they wanted to make the playoffs.

The moment most remembered of this game was not the loss, but TJ Houshmandzadeh wiping his cleats in the tunnel with a Terrible Towel.  Steeler fans vowed for revenge.

Pittsburgh was now faced with the real possibility of not making the playoffs, and Ben faced with the possibility of not keeping his promise to Jerome Bettis.

Pittsburgh would have to win their final four games if they wanted to have a realistic shot at making the playoffs.

In the first week of the four-game season, the Steelers hosted the Chicago Bears.  Chicago came in with the NFL's top rated defense.

As the snow started to fall at halftime, Bill Cowher turned to the Bus to put the team on his shoulders and carry them to victory.  Bettis did exactly that.

Bettis rushed for 100 yards in the second half, leading Pittsburgh to a 21-9 victory.

The following week, the Steelers headed to Minnesota to play the Vikings.  In a defensive slugfest, Pittsburgh pulled out the victory 18-3.

Then came the Cleveland Browns.  Any time you have a rivalry game, anything can happen.  This was a win that the Steelers were desperate for, and Cleveland could eliminate them with a victory.

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