Grading the Steelers:

Jack McCurry is in his 25th season as the head coach of the North Hills High School Indians. He has won four WPIAL titles.

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Grading the Patriots:

Ron Wabby is in his 21st season as the head coach at Brashear High School. His teams have won five City League championships.

Offense: D

Turnovers, penalties and a porous offensive line thwarted any chance for the Steelers to generate any offense. Jerome Bettis was a bust and so was the new Steelers offense. When it's first-and-goal on the 1 you've got to get some points. The Steelers didn't and the result was a humiliating loss.

Offense: A

After a slow start the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady started using a five-wide receiver, no-huddle offense that seemed to catch the Steelers by surprise. The game plan was effective and New England was able to move the ball through the air and made Patsies out of the Steelers again.

Defense: D

The once proud Steel Curtain was humbled by the Patriots. The Steelers didn't pressure Tom Brady and couldn't tackle anyone. Deshea Townsend should have stayed home. He was used and abused by the Patriots' receivers. The Steelers have a good defense on paper, but you still have to play the game. They were simply outplayed. and that's a shame.

Defense: A

Two interceptions by Terrell Buckley and one by Mike Vrabel, and two fumbles by Kordell Stewart highlighted an outstanding effort by New England's defense. The only chink in the Patriots' defense were the two pass interference calls against cornerback Ty Law in the first half. Other than that, the Patriots had the Steelers' number.

Special Teams: C -

A missed chip shot field goal and a shanked 24-yard punt are indicators that the special teams were less than special. Antwaan Randle El has potential as a punt returner, but I'd like to see him as a kick returner, too. Let's hope better days are ahead.

Special Teams: B

There was really nothing special about the New England special teams. Adam Vinatieri kicked three field goals and was his consistent self. The Patriots did what they had to do on the special teams and didn't make any mistakes, which is what you want as a coach..

Coaching: C

In any football game the offensive and defensive lines control the tempo. The Patriots dominated the line of scrimmage and easily controlled the game. It wasn't coaching strategy, it was an old fashioned butt kicking in every facet of the game. By the look of Bill Cowher's jaw, I'm sure next week's practices will be intense ... they'd better be ...

Coaching: A

Coach Bill Belichick is a master at preparing his team and put together an outstanding plan. The Patriots' five-receiver, no-huddle offense caught the Steelers either totally unprepared or by surprise. Either way, the Steelers couldn't stop New England. The Patriots were able to move the sticks with the passing game. That seemed to be a problem for the Steelers, who are used to teams trying to do that with the run.

Team Score: 68

Team Score: 95

Key

100-95

Super Bowl performance

94-90

Division title contenders

89-80

Wild Card possibility

79-70

Shooting for high draft picks in 2003

69-less

Check waiver wire