Grading the Steelers:

Neil Gordon is in his 14^th season as the head coach of the Penn Hills High School Indians. He has won one WPIAL title.

Grading the Opponent:

Jack McCurry is in his 23^nd season as the head coach of the North Hills High School Indians. He has won four WPIAL titles.

Offense: B+

Kordell Stewart was very sharp and very elusive. More important, he provided the needed emotional spark. The pass protection was shaky, but the run-blocking was executed to perfection, valuable time was used, and Jerome Bettis rolled to one of his better games.

Offense: B

The Raiders' usually reliable running game was erratic. Tyrone Wheatley and Napoleon Kaufman were ineffective. It was the passing game that kept the Raiders in the game. Rich Gannon's ability to scramble and Tim Brown's clutch catches gave Oakland the opportunity to win. Mistakes and confusion in the final minutes of the game were disastrous.

Defense: B+

The decision to stay in lanes and passively pressure Rich Gannon worked well -- the Steelers stopped one of the better offensive packages in the NFL. Tyrone Wheatley and Napoleon Kaufman was shut down, critical short-yardage stops were made, and this West Coast offense sputtered and looked out of sync more often than not.

Defense: B

The Raiders played well enough to win. The front four led by Regan Upshaw and Grady Jackson, pressured Kordell Stewart and Kent Graham throughout the game. Although the defense contributed with a touchdown, it was Oakland's inability to contain Stewart's scrambling that cost them the game. Poor tackling and mental errors late in the game didn't help.

Special Teams: B

The dangerous return duo of Darrien Gordon and David Dunn was held in check by the aggressive and physical play of the punt and kickoff coverage units. Hank Poteat ensured decent field position with good judgment, good hands and good feet. Josh Miller's leg looked strong, but Kris Brown needs more kickoff depth to complete this package.

Special Teams: C-

Oakland's special teams didn't play like a league-leading unit. Gordon fumbled one punt and tried to give away another -- what was he thinking? No. 1 draft choice Sebastian Janikowski contributed two field goals but missed the possible 44-yard winner.

Coaching: A

The Steelers were more physical, more aggressive, more emotional and more intense than the visiting "bad boys" from Oakland. Hats off to Cowher and staff for sound, impressive game plans and the leadership and fire to have them well executed. The Steelers deserved this one -- they simply played harder.

Coaching: C-

Jon Gruden has returned Oakland to the league's upper echelon. Gruden is a stickler for attention to detail and discipline, so what happened at the end of the game? Who lost count of the downs and distance? Someone on the staff is in deep trouble, and it could be Gruden.

Team Score: 95

Team Score: 87