Grading the Steelers:

Ron Wabby, who is in his 22nd season as the head coach at Brashear High School. His teams have won five City League championships.

Grading the Rams:

Jack McCurry, who is in his 26th season as the head coach at North Hills High School. His teams have won four WPIAL titles.

Offense: D

The offense started with old-fashioned Steelers football, run with Jerome Bettis and pass on third down. Later on, they started to play Mike Mularkey ball, running reverses and throwing the ball to backs out of the backfield. Neither style was effective enough yesterday.

Offense: A

What a homecoming for Marc Bulger. He passed for 375 yards as St. Louis had 11 plays of more than 20 yards. Torry Holt riddled the Steelers' secondary and Arlen Harris, who filled in for Marshall Faulk, scored three touchdowns. The final score was no indication of St. Louis' total domination.

Defense: D +

The Steelers need to put more pressure on the quarterback. Marc Bulger had way too much time to find open receivers -- 11 plays for more than 20 yards, that's not good. What happened to the Blitzburgh attitude? The defensive backs certainly need all the help a pass rush would give them.

Defense: A -

It contained the Steelers' running game and pressured Tommy Maddox throughout the game. The secondary, led by Aeneas Williams, blanketed the Steelers receivers and smothered Plaxico Burress. Was the defense that good or are the Steelers than inept? Consider the latter.

Special Teams: C +

Antwaan Randle El's punt return for a touchdown partially sparked the rest of the team to try and step up. Josh Miller's punting helped pin the Rams in their territory for most of the game.

Special Teams: B -

Punter Sean Landeta had an outstanding game as he continously kept the Steelers in poor field position. The kick coverage units were not as strong. The Steelers' punt return for a touchdown and the 50-yard kick return marred an otherwise good performance.

Coaching: C

Russ Grimm did an excellent job reshuffling the offensive line in an attempt to give Tommy Maddox time to throw and provide running room for Bettis. On the other side of the ball, the inability to put pressure on the quarterback needs to be addressed. They might need to check the waiver wire.

Coaching: A

Mike Martz has made an effort to create a more balanced offense. It looks like his efforts have paid off. The Rams continue to highlight their potent passing game, but the emergence of a strong running game makes them a playoff contender. St. Louis is getting stronger and with the return of Faulk and Jason Sehorn, the Rams will challenge for the NFC west title.

Team Score: 71

Team Score: 94

Key

100-95

Super Bowl performance

94-90

Division title contenders

89-80

Wild Card possibility

79-70

Shooting for high draft picks in 2004

69-less

Check waiver wire