Grading the Steelers:

Neil Gordon is in his 15th season as the head coach of the Penn Hills High School Indians. He has won one WPIAL title.

Grading the Browns:

Jack McCurry is in his 24th season as the head coach of the North Hills High School Indians. He has won four WPIAL titles.

Offense: D

An impressive performance by Jerome Bettis and the offensive line; a miserable breakdown in fundamentals by everyone else. Red-zone failures, Kordell Stewart's fumbles and dropped passes too numerous to mention made this contest much too close for comfort. But -- a win is a win.

Offense: C +

Tim Couch was hot at the beginning of the game as the Browns jumped to a 9-0 lead. The three-step quick passing game was effective until the Steelers began to blitz. The Browns' inability to control the blitz cost them an opportunity to attempt a winning field goal late in the fourth quarter. If the Browns can't protect Couch, they can't win.

Defense: A

Yet another masterpiece by coordinator Tim Lewis and the league's best defensive unit. Earl Holmes, Joey Porter, Jason Gildon and Kendrell Bell were incredible and unblockable. These four certainly came to play, and game balls should be going in their direction. The schemes were well disguised and executed with intensity and perfection the entire day.

Defense: B

The defense led by Tyrone Rogers, Orpheus Roye and Jamir Miller came up with big plays when the Browns needed them. The safety and subsequent free kick led to nine points, and anytime you keep the opponent out of the end zone, your defense is doing its job. This is a game the Browns could have won. It didn't happen, but don't blame the defense.

Special Teams: C

The Steelers were strapped with poor field position for the better part of the day -- the coverage and return teams did little to shorten the field. Kris Brown had yet another day to remember -- his overtime boot grabbed the win that slipped through his grasp last week.

Special Teams: B -

Chris Gardocki punted well and his first punt was downed inside the 1, which led to a safety. The coverage units kept Hank Poteat and kick returners in check.

Phil Dawson contributed with a field goal but didn't get an attempt late in the game. In a tight game, field position is always important. But after the first quarter, the special teams couldn't deliver.

Coaching: C

Red-zone failures nearly spelled disaster. Boots, scrambles, sweeps and passes inside the 4? Have a little confidence in the Bus and the best offensive line in the business; they obviously have the ability to pound teams into submission.

Coaching: B

Butch Davis has done a good job with the Browns. Sure, the Browns have improved, but the have a long way to go. Couch has given them the opportunity to win. But they need to develop a running game to support their passing attack.

Team Score: 89

Team Score: 85

Key

100-95

Super Bowl performance

94-90

Division title contenders

89-80

Wild Card possibility

79-70

Shooting for high draft picks in 2002

69-less

Check waiver wire