Wild Finish Lifts Steelers Against Pats

Pittsburgh’s defense woke up the echoes of the 1970s, and Kordell Stewart again was a throwback to the 1940s. No wonder the Steelers are talking Super Bowl again.

Pittsburgh’s league-leading defense scored twice and Neil O’Donnell threw a 62-yard touchdown pass to Ernie Mills with 1:28 left as the Steelers rallied past the New England Patriots 41-27 Saturday.

The Steelers (11-4) blew a 12-point lead, but scored two touchdowns in the final 1:30 of each half to extend an NFL-leading eight-game winning streak. It is their longest since a nine-game streak in 1978-79.

O’Donnell threw two touchdown passes, Stewart ran for his first NFL touchdown on a drive started by his two pass completions and Brentson Buckner and Chris Oldham scored defensive touchdowns. The AFC Central champion Steelers (11-4) now are assured of a first-round bye and at least one home playoff game.

“I wasn’t panicking on that last drive,” said O’Donnell. “I just thought, ‘Give me the ball and let’s go get at least a field goal.’ Then, boom, Ernie made the big play.”

Steelers 41, Patriots 27

New England 3 3 6 15 - 27

Pittsburgh 0 17 7 17 - 41

First quarter

NE-FG Bahr 23, 14:13. Second quarter

Pit-FG N.Johnson 32, 3:22.

NE-FG Bahr 22, 12:45.

Pit-Thigpen 14 pass from O’Donnell (N.Johnson kick), 13:47.

Pit-Buckner 46 fumble return (N.Johnson kick), 14:47.

Third quarter

NE-Coates 6 pass from Bledsoe (pass failed), 5:43.

Pit-Stewart 22 run (N.Johnson kick), 8:06.

Fourth quarter

NE-Coates 6 pass from Bledsoe (Bahr kick), 2:55.

Pit-FG N.Johnson 32, 7:08.

NE-Martin 22 pass from Bledsoe (Meggett pass from Bledsoe), 10:22.

Pit-Mills 62 pass from O’Donnell (N.Johnson kick), 13:32.

Pit-Oldham 23 fumble return (N.Johnson kick), 13:51.

A-57,158.

NE Pit First downs 28 14 Rushes-yards 23-117 24-95 Passing 322 226 Punt Returns 1-0 3-52 Kickoff Returns 8-131 6-141 Interceptions Ret. 1-0 1-0 Comp-Att-Int 39-60-1 16-28-1 Sacked-Yards Lost 2-14 1-10 Punts 5-42 5-44 Fumbles-Lost 2-2 0-0 Penalties-Yards 5-54 5-43 Time of Possession 36:08 23:52

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHINGNew England, Martin 20-120, Bledsoe 1-(minus 1), Meggett 2-(minus 2). Pittsburgh, Pegram 10-36, Stewart 4-25, McAfee 7-23, Mills 1-8, JL Williams 2-3.

PASSINGNew England, Bledsoe 39-60-1-336. Pittsburgh, O’Donnell 14-25-1-195, Stewart 2-3-0-41.

RECEIVINGNew England, Coates 11-83, Martin 8-62, Brisby 7-99, Gash 3-24, Graham 3-24, Moore 3-24, Meggett 2-23, Burke 1-6, Bledsoe 1-(minus 9). Pittsburgh, Thigpen 5-91, Mills 3-99, Hastings 3-16, JL Williams 2-11, Bruener 1-14, McAfee 1-3, Hayes 1-2.

MISSED FIELD GOALSPittsburgh, N.Johnson 43.