NFL

Tandem of punishing backs works for Steelers

PITTSBURGH - Sometime during the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis got a little tired. So, the Steelers merely switched battering rams.

By JOANNE KORTH
Published January 16, 2005

Bettis out, Duce Staley in.

The duo combined for 155 yards on 38 carries in Saturday's 20-17 overtime win over the Jets. Bettis, rejuvenated in his 12th season, ran for 101 yards and Staley, returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him in early November, added 54.

Both are bruising runners who gain most of their yards between the tackles. Their punishing style seemed to wear down a Jets defense playing its third overtime game on the road in as many weeks.

"That's what we want to do, run the football and pound and pound," Bettis said.

Bettis, who started, had an uncharacteristic fumble with the Steelers trailing 17-10 in the fourth quarter. Defensive end Shaun Ellis stripped him in the backfield and safety Erik Coleman recovered at the Jets 24.

"I can't believe I fumbled the football," Bettis said. "I pride myself on being a guy you can count on."

Staley picked up most of his yardage in the fourth quarter and overtime. On the winning drive he ran six times for 28 yards, giving way to Bettis inside the 20-yard line.

"This wouldn't work on a lot of teams," Staley said of the shared backfield. "(We are) two guys that love the ball, two guys that want the ball, two guys that are competitive. That lets you know what kind of relationship we have."

RARE FEATS: Santana Moss' 75-yard punt return for a touchdown was the first by the Jets in postseason play. Reggie Tongue's 86-yard interception return for a touchdown was the first for the Jets in a playoff game since Kevin McArthur against Kansas City in 1986.

IF THE GLOVE FITS: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wore a glove on his right throwing hand, creating speculation there is something wrong with his thumb.

The rookie denied it, saying he has worn the glove several times this season in cold weather. The temperature at kickoff was 28 degrees.

LOCAL COMPETITOR: Tampa's Morgan Ferrara, 9, finished fourth in the NFL's national Punt, Pass and Kick competition held before the game. Representing the Bucs in the 8-9 age division, the third-grader from Westchase Elementary participated in a halftime exhibition in which all contestants threw one pass.

ABRAHAM OUT: The Jets played without injured defensive end John Abraham for the sixth straight game.

[Last modified January 16, 2005, 00:34:19]