Grading the Steelers:

Jack McCurry, who is in his 26th season as the head coach at North Hills High School. His teams have won four WPIAL titles.

Grading the Ravens:

Ron Wabby, who is in his 22nd season as the head coach at Brashear High School. His teams have won five City League championships.

Offense: D

The Steelers' offense didn't do very much against the Ravens' defense. Tommy Maddox was ineffective. He held the ball much too long and had trouble throwing downfield. His four turnovers didn't help the cause. Jerome Bettis gave a valiant effort as he surpassed the great Jim Brown on the all-time rushing list. If that was Bettis' last game in a Steelers uniform, I say thanks Jerome for all the memories.

Offense: C +

Run the ball and give it to Jamal Lewis as often as possible was the Ravens' game plan. With a playoff spot assured, the main objective was to put Lewis in the record book. Lewis pass the 2,000-yard mark early in the second quarter and ended up with 2,066, 39 yards short of the record.

Defense: A

What a superb defensive effort. Jamal Lewis had a great first quarter and then the Steelers adjusted and shut him down. The Steelers came up with two critical turnovers -- Deshea Townsend's interception in the end zone and Mike Logan's fumble recovery inside the 10. All of the Steelers' defenders played well, but James Farrior was exceptional. Also hats off to Casey Hampton. It's not often you see a 330-pound nose tackle playing pass defense. Well done big guy.

Defense: A

Linebacker Ray Lewis's pregame "talk" with Joey Porter set the tone for the game. The Ravens' defense responded with three batted balls, four sacks, three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Ed Reed's interception in the first quarter led to the Ravens' only touchdown. The Ravens kept the pressure on Maddox the entire game and made huge stops late in the contest.

Special Teams: A

The Ravens-Steelers contest became a game of defense and special teams. Antwaan Randle El's punt returns were electrifying, but the 81-yard fake punt for a Steelers touchdown was remarkable. Fourth-and-5 on your own 19 and Josh Miller throws a touchdown pass? Some one pinch me.

Special Teams: D 

The Raven's special teams were anything but that, especially on punt and kick coverages. The punt coverage team was tricked on a 81-yard fake punt for a touchdown by the Steelers. Punter Dave Zastudil's nose was broken and he was replaced by quarterback Kyle Boller whose punt helped the Steelers to a field goal.

Coaching: B

The defensive adjustments after the first quarter stopped the Ravens. Tim Lewis and his defensive staff certainly had the players well prepared. The offense never got going. Maddox's lack of mobility limited the play selection. Special note to coach Bill Cowher: The fake punt was a gutsy call. It was risky, too. Much too risky for most of us. Nice job.

Coaching: D

Coach Brian Billick's attitude of trying to put Lewis in the record book and prove to the Steelers they deserve to be the AFC North champions was honorable but not too bright. He was lucky Lewis wasn't injured which would have hurt the Ravens in the playoffs. Individual goals are important, but not at the cost of the team.

Key

100-95

Super Bowl performance

94-90

Division title contenders

89-80

Wild Card possibility

79-70

Shooting for high draft picks in 2004

69-less

Check waiver wire