Grading the Steelers:

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

Grading the Browns:

Ron Wabby, who has completed his 21st season as the head coach at Brashear High School. His teams have won five City League championships.

Offense: B

The hopes for a playoff victory relied on the arm of Tommy Maddox. Maddox and the Steelers' receivers gained more than 350 yards and engineered an unbelievable come-from-behind victory. The offensive line deserves kudos for providing Maddox with ample time to throw. The second-half use of the no-huddle offense was the difference. The entire offense deserves credit for overcoming a dismal first half. Football doesn't get any more thrilling.

Offense: A

In Kelly Holcomb's first start in the playoffs, he made it look easy, leading the Browns to a touchdown on their first possession against a Steelers defense that had not given up a touchdown on an opponent's first possession all season. The Browns offense did what good teams do against the Steelers and that's pass the ball. Wide receiver Kevin Johnson made big plays against Hank Poteat, who was in the secondary because of the injury to Chad Scott. The offense also turned a Antwaan Randle El fumbled punt return into points. But the inability to run the ball ended up costing the Browns.

Defense: C +

The run defense was outstanding and was spearheaded by the surprise return of linebacker Kendrell Bell. But any time the defense gives up more than 400 yards passing, something is amiss and needs to be corrected. Let's hope cornerback Chad Scott is able to return next week. If the Steelers plan to advance, they need a healthy defensive secondary. But as the saying goes, a win is a win is a win, so sit back and enjoy this one for a while.

Defense: C

The defense had a bend-but-don't-break attitude. Two interceptions by Daylon McCutcheon stopped long Steelers drives. The defense gave up yardage, but kept the Steelers out of the red zone in the first half. The second half went the same way until the Steelers went to a no-huddle offense. The Browns couldn't stop the Steelers' passing offense, and four touchdowns in the second half , three in the fourth quarter, ended the Browns' season.

Special Teams: C

What a mixed bag by the special teams. First Antwaan Randle El muffs a punt which leads to a Browns touchdown, and then he returns a punt 66 yards for a Steelers touchdown. kicker Jeff Reed had an off game and struggled with his kickoffs and missed his only field-goal attempt. It was an up-and-down effort by the unit, but when you win it's always up.

Special Teams: B

The unit made some big plays such as recovering the Randle El fumble and the punt return by Dennis Northcutt that set up a Browns touchdown. But the special teams also made some big mistakes such as allowing Randle El to return a punt for a score and two late hits on returns.

Coaching: B

Poise in adverse situations could best describe the Steelers' effort. The first half was dismal for the offense, but Mike Mularkey's decision to go with the no-huddle offense was the difference. The Steelers no-quit attitude was impressive and clearly a reflection of Coach Bill Cowher and his staff. Good teams always find a way to win, and the Steelers did just that.

Coaching: A

The game is divided into three parts, and all three made big plays that turned into points. The offense connected on long passes, the defense had two interceptions and the special teams recovered a fumble and set up short drives with nice returns. That's a sign that all the coaches did their homework well enough to win the game.

Team Score: 88

Team Score: 86

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