Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dives into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Click photo for larger image.

DENVER -- Jerome Bettis is not the only one going home next week. Linebacker Larry Foote also is headed back to his native Motown, although not with quite as much fanfare as the Bus.

"Last week, coach [Bill] Cowher said, 'Let's drop Bussy off,' " Foote said.

"Someone said, 'What about Foote?' "

"Hey, you can drop me off in about 10 years, I'll be happy with that."

Foote, who attended Detroit's Pershing High School and nearby University of Michigan, had one of two interceptions of Jake Plummer passes yesterday. It was a crucial one, too, because the Broncos had the ball at the Steelers' 43 early in the fourth quarter, trailing by 17.

Plummer threw short for Rod Smith and Foote, the team's leading tackler during the regular season, picked it off.

It was one of two interceptions by the Steelers. Cornerback Ike Taylor made his first of the season at the Broncos' 38, which led to a 17-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Hines Ward that put the Steelers up, 24-3, seven seconds before halftime.

The Steelers turned the tables on the Broncos, the team with the second-best turnover ratio in the league, by recovering two fumbles and getting four turnovers. The Steelers fumbled once but lost no turnover.

"The winner of the turnover/takeaways is pretty much the winner," Cowher said. "If you don't beat yourself and hang in there, maybe you'll have a shot in the fourth quarter."

Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Steelers Jerome Bettis and Rian Wallace shower head coach Bill Cowher with Gatorade after their team defeated the Broncos. Click photo for larger image.

Denver had a plus-20 turnover ratio in the regular season, second only to Cincinnati's plus-24.

"Anytime you have turnovers, it's hard to win football games," said Denver coach Mike Shanahan. "This is a team game. You do it as a team, offense, defense, and special teams -- I think we got beat in all areas today."

Good on third down

Another key to their victory was making 10 of 16 third-down conversions yesterday. It was something the Steelers struggled with during the season. At one point yesterday Roethlisberger was 9-of-10 passing on third downs.

Give Rooney credit

Cowher's teams have made the playoffs in 10 of his 14 seasons with the Steelers. He's now 2 for 6 in AFC championship games and will try to win his first Super Bowl.

He credited his longevity to the team's ownership.

"Mr. Rooney is a football guy. He wanted this business, and he was very supportive through the three non-playoff years, and I'm very appreciative of that and will always understand that and appreciate that patience.

"There's nothing greater, and nothing drives me more than to hopefully be able to hand him the first trophy. Nothing would make me more satisfied than to be able to do that."

Ben suggestion

In three playoff games, Roethlisberger has completed 49 of 72 passes for 680 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. He has had passer ratings of 148.7, 95.3 and 124.9. He's playing so well, he's not afraid to give advice to offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

Asked about a lot of new plays the Steelers used, he said, "I said, 'Coach, we're putting in a lot of new stuff. We're a pretty good offense, let's stay with what we do.' "

Roethlisberger on going to the Super Bowl in his second season:

"It's a growing up process. This year, I feel a lot more older. I'm more comfortable and not rundown. We'll enjoy this for the next couple of days and get ready to play a very good NFC team."

Four-star rating

Steelers guard Alan Faneca on Roethlisberger's performance:

"He's everything you want in a quarterback. We wouldn't be where we are today without him leading our offense," he said.

"I think he's just more relaxed this year, and it comes through experience. It's not just X's and O's. He still understands the basics, but he also has that game-feel. I think teams know we're going to try to run the ball on them, and they want to make Ben beat them. These past few weeks, Ben's been doing just that."

Successful challenge

Willie Parker lost a fumble on the Steelers' first series at midfield, but Cowher challenged the ruling. It was overturned when referee Terry McAulay determined Parker's hand cradling the ball had touched the ground before it popped loose.

"That's pivotal," Cowher said. "This was not a football game we could afford to fall behind. We talked about how important it was."

On the next play, third-and-7, rookie wide receiver Nate Washington made his first NFL catch of 13 yards to keep the drive going. Washington then broke up a potential interception in the end zone before Reed put the Steelers in front -- for good as it would turn out -- with a 47-yard field goal.

Surprise visitor

The Steelers greeted a super hero on their sidelines before the game and his name wasn't Big Ben, but Batman. Hollywood star Michael Keaton, a Coraopolis native, visited with various Steelers along the sideline during the pregame, including Dan and Art Rooney and longtime running backs coach Dick Hoak.

Sportscaster John Steigerwald was delivering a commentary on KDKA-TV's live pregame show when Keaton, unannounced, walked up to him, threw his arms around him and pulled a Terrible Towel out of his jacket pocket. It took Steigerwald momentarily by surprise before he recognized his former Kent State classmate.

Quoting him

Denver quarterback Jake Plummer on the Steelers' playoff run:

"It's definitely an accomplishment. They aren't done. I'm sure they want to win the Super Bowl. They're a tough team. They deserve what they got. They beat three pretty good teams on the road. If you do that, you're a good ballclub."

Quick hits

Uniontown native Gene Steratore, who resides in Washington, Pa., served as the field judge as part of the officiating crew yesterday.

Rookie Steelers LB Andre Frazier has a broken ankle and a concussion, injuries that occurred seconds before halftime on a kickoff. He will go on injured reserve. James Harrison, whom Frazier replaced as the No. 3 outside linebacker, should be ready for the Super Bowl. He missed the past two games with a high ankle sprain.

This will be the Steelers' sixth Super Bowl appearance, tying them with Buffalo and Denver for most in the AFC (only Dallas of the NFC has more with eight). Their 13 AFC championship appearances are the most.

The Steelers have won seven in a row, five of them on the road. They were the only team to win in Denver this season.

The Steelers, who have 11 sacks in the postseason, held Denver 62 yards below its season rushing average (158.7). It was only the third time this season Denver allowed more than 30 points in a game.

Denver was 12-2 at home in the playoffs and 9-0 at home this year before yesterday.

The 34 points the Steelers scored yesterday tied for the most in their 13 AFC title games. They beat Houston 34-5 in 1978.

Inactives

Steelers: RB Duce Staley, CB Willie Williams, G Chris Kemmoeatu, OT Trai Essex, WR Lee Mays, LB James Harrison, DE Shaun Nua, QB Tommy Maddox (third quarterback).

Broncos: WR David Terrell, WR Darius Watts, S Hamza Abdullah, CB Roc Alexander, G Taylor Whitley, DE John Engelberger, DT Monsanto Pope, TE Nate Jackson.