A Writer's March ~ The Monday Analysis 26 September 2005

Wins counts. And wins feel great, especially in a hostile environment on the road.

At half-time the score was still a very close 10-7 in favor of Pittsburgh, but the way the Patriots were playing, they were lucky the game was that close. Once again, penalties and turnovers dragged the Patriots to the bottom of the sea.

But they held in long enough and fought hard enough, and once again Tom Brady and Adam Vinatieri marched down the field for a game winning drive. Brady now has 18 late fourth quarter game winning drives including playoff games.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick appeared emotionally drained, but ecstatic approaching the podium for his post game press conference. ''That was a heck of a football game," h said. ''It was a terrific game, coming down to the last play. It just doesn't get any closer than that.”

Tom Brady was 31 for 41 for 372 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT. He was a mind-blowing 12 for 12 for 168 yards in the fourth quarter alone. Translation: Don't give Tom Brady time to do something with the ball.

The Steelers were able to score inside the two minute warning on first and goal, but did nothing to wear down the clock on that drive. With two timeouts, Cowher took one with 50 seconds left, but never took his third. He left is on the board, and Adam Vinatieri booms his 43-yarder through the uprights leaving the Steelers with one second. A grounder kick off to the Steelers wears off that last second, and the ball game is done. And so were the Steelers.

In the first half, Rodney "Mister" Harrison would leave the game on a cart with what looks like a serious left knee injury, the type that may keep him out for the rest of the season. Later, Left Tackle Matt Light would leave the same way with a right leg injury.

The Monday Analysis POWER Rankings

1. Indy (3-0). The Defense is in Indy, but where is the Offense?

2. New England (2-1). Bounced back like the Champs they are.

3. Cincinnati (3-0). Marvin Lewis has Bengals fans wearing big smiles today.

4. Tampa Bay (3-0). Jon Gruden's record in Tampa went from High to Low to Low and now looking back High again.

5. Kansas City (2-0). The Chiefs are on their annual cruise in the early season.

6. Philadelphia (2-1). Have no fear, Eagles fans. Philly always starts off a little slow.

7. Pittsburgh (2-1). Bill Cowher is still not a premier ocach.

8. Dallas (2-1). The Machine is rolling along and picking up speed.

9. Atlanta (2-1). Mike Vick looked just fine on Sunday.

10. Jacksonville (2-1). Big OT win over New Jersey/B. Jack Del Rio has to be happier this morning.

11. New Orleans (2-1). Big loss to the Vikes who needed the win.

12. Seattle (2-1). With Shawn Alexander running, the 'Hawks will continue to cruise over teams.