Grading the Steelers:

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

Grading the Colts:

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

Offense: A

Tommy Maddox, knowing that this was Terry Bradshaw's homecoming, wanted to bring back fond memories of the Steelers' golden years. He did that by leading the offense to touchdowns on its first three possessions. This was by far the most impressive offensive output of the season.

Offense: D

Payton Manning had an off game and his three interceptions eliminated any hope of an Indianapolis comeback. The Colts' other superstars, Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison, really didn't do anything. When your offensive weapons are firing blanks, it's always tough to win. The Colts didn't play like a team with a 4-1 record.

Defense: A

The return of Kendrell Bell to the lineup sparked the defense. The Steelers blitzed the Colts from every direction and kept the Colts confused on their blocking schemes. The interception by Mike Logan helped stop an important Colts drive and ended any hope of a comeback. It was the most inspired defensive effort of the season.

Defense: D

The first half was a total disaster. The Steelers had three possessions and scored three times ... that's poor defense. The Colts played much better the second half. The goal-line stand in the fourth quarter was the highlight for them. My only question is: Who designed the defense that has a defensive end covering a wide receiver? A loser, that's who.

Special Teams: A 

Joey Porter's block of a punt on the Colts' first position set the tone. The punt and kickoff coverage was improved and kept the Colts in poor field position. If Todd Peterson had kicked the ball out of the end zone on kickoffs, it would have been a perfect game.

Special Teams: C

It's always trouble when you get a punt blocked and your place-kicker, who is one of the league's best, shanks a field-goal attempt. On the bright side, the coverage teams did not allow the Steelers any returns.

Coaching: A

If the Steelers could play at home on Monday nights every week, Bill Cowher would never lose a game. Coach Cowher and his staff seem to come up with a great game plan. The offense and defense were inspired and played like the team the preseason polls were predicting. Maybe Cowher should invite Bradshaw home more often.

Coaching: C -

The Colts were out of sync on offense and couldn't protect Manning. If you don't protect the quarterback, you can't win. The defensive game plan used in the first half was bizarre. A defensive end covering a wide receiver man to man? The coaches made adjustments, but it was a case of too little, too late.

Team Score: 95

Team Score: 70

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