Grading the Steelers:

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.

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Grading the Ravens:

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.

Offense: A

With Jerome Bettis watching the game from the sideline, could the Steelers generate a ground game? Well, they didn't have to. Kordell Stewart orchestrated an impressive passing performance. He was poised and confident and continually came up with big plays. Plaxico Burress, Amos Zereoue and the offensive line also played well. To beat the defending Super Bowl champions, it takes a total team effort, and that's just what the Steelers got.

Offense: D

Shannon Sharpe and Qadry Ismail -- Baltimore's two biggest weapons were nonfactors the majority of the game. Elvis Grbac was hideous, the running game was nonexistent and the offensive line was beaten badly in the trenches. Without Jamal Lewis, this unit struggles.

Defense: A-

The question about who has the best defense has now been answered. It's the Steelers, as they totally dominated the Ravens. The defense played well, and the game wasn't as close as the score. The linemen pressured Elvis Grbac, the linebackers contained the running game and the secondary covered well. The final two Ravens touchdowns were the only blemishes on an otherwise outstanding defensive performance.

Defense: C

Although statistically dominated once again, the vaunted Ravens defense kept this one close until late in the fourth quarter. Kordell Stewart certainly had his way with the Ravens' secondary but Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper turned in their classic performances as always. Bottom line -- Stewart was too much to handle in this game..

Special Teams: D

Ouch. The special teams were sub-par to say the least. Kris Brown continues to struggle. He misses a chip-shot field goal, and his kickoffs were much too short. The kick coverage was just as bad. Time and time again, the Steelers surrendered field position. The Ravens' long punt return near the end could've been disastrous. The kicking game needs improvement, and it needs it now.

Special Teams: B

Baltimore's punt- and kickoff-return teams turned in banner performances and consistently place the offense in extraordinary field position -- hats off to Jermaine Lewis and Corey Harris for their stand-out work. The darker side; Kyle Richardson's punting and Matt Stover's kicking left much to be desired.

Coaching: A

Wow. What a nifty game plan designed by the offensive coaches. A running team wins with a passing game. Special kudos to Coach Tom Clements with his work with Stewart and Coach Russ Grimm for developing a solid offensive line. Defensively, Tim Lewis and company have developed a total defensive package. The Steelers are athletic, tough and play with enthusiasm. That's always good coaching.

Coaching: C

Without a threat to run, Brian Billick's offense fell into the hands of Grbac -- not a desirable place to be against the dominant Steelers. The offensive and defensive game plans were well-devised, but not well-executed. The Ravens were outplayed in all aspects of the game -- coaching wasn't the problem or the answer.. 

Team Score: 93

Team Score: 82

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