Cardinals Shock Steelers 21-14
By: Import User
Updated: April 23, 2009
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
The Pittsburgh Steelers were beaten Sunday at their own game by their old offensive coordinator and might-have-been head coach.
Rookie Steve Breaston returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown and the Arizona Cardinals' defense shut down Pittsburgh's high-scoring offense most of the day to hand the Steelers their first loss, 21-14.
Breaston's burst up the middle for the go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter was the Cardinals' first punt return for a touchdown in 14 years.
The Cardinals (2-2) ended Willie Parker's string of four consecutive 100-yard rushing games, limiting him to 37 yards in 18 carries.
But Pittsburgh rallied behind Ben Roethlisberger, whose second TD pass to Santonio Holmes, a 7-yarder, cut it to 21-14 with 1:49 to play.
However, Larry Fitzgerald recovered the onside kick attempt for Arizona. The Steelers got the ball one last time at their 9 with 46 seconds to play. They made it to the 40, but Calvin Pace and Darnell Dockett sacked Roethlisberger, then Ralph Brown intercepted to seal the victory.
Arizona's Adrian Wilson also intercepted Roethlisberger's throw in the end zone in the third quarter to stop Pittsburgh on third-and-goal at the 2.
The Steelers (3-1) had scored 97 points in their first three games.
Arizona first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt and top assistant Russ Grimm both were leading contenders to replace Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh after last season. Whisenhunt was the Steelers' offensive coordinator and Grimm was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach at the time.
Instead the job went to outsider Mike Tomlin. Whisenhunt and Grimm headed for the desert. There were hugs all around before the game, then came a hard-hitting defensive fight.
Whisenhunt's two-quarterback approach worked well enough. Kurt Warner replaced starter Matt Leinart and, running a no-huddle offense, directed the tying touchdown drive in the third quarter. Leinart returned in the fourth quarter and led Arizona on a 13-play, 82-yard touchdown drive capped by Edgerrin James' 2-yard scoring run that made it 21-7 with 4:14 to play.
Leinart threw 38 yards to Fitzgerald on the first play of his return. Fitzgerald caught 11 passes for 123 yards.
The Steelers' first-quarter touchdown came on third-and-26 when Roethlisberger threw 43 yards to Holmes, who had six catches for 128 yards.
Both teams were without top receivers because of injuries, Arizona's Anquan Boldin and Pittsburgh's Hines Ward. The Steelers lost defensive starters Troy Palamalu (abdomen) and Casey Hampton (hamstring) early in the third quarter.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were beaten Sunday at their own game by their old offensive coordinator and might-have-been head coach.
Rookie Steve Breaston returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown and the Arizona Cardinals' defense shut down Pittsburgh's high-scoring offense most of the day to hand the Steelers their first loss, 21-14.
Breaston's burst up the middle for the go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter was the Cardinals' first punt return for a touchdown in 14 years.
The Cardinals (2-2) ended Willie Parker's string of four consecutive 100-yard rushing games, limiting him to 37 yards in 18 carries.
But Pittsburgh rallied behind Ben Roethlisberger, whose second TD pass to Santonio Holmes, a 7-yarder, cut it to 21-14 with 1:49 to play.
However, Larry Fitzgerald recovered the onside kick attempt for Arizona. The Steelers got the ball one last time at their 9 with 46 seconds to play. They made it to the 40, but Calvin Pace and Darnell Dockett sacked Roethlisberger, then Ralph Brown intercepted to seal the victory.
Arizona's Adrian Wilson also intercepted Roethlisberger's throw in the end zone in the third quarter to stop Pittsburgh on third-and-goal at the 2.
The Steelers (3-1) had scored 97 points in their first three games.
Arizona first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt and top assistant Russ Grimm both were leading contenders to replace Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh after last season. Whisenhunt was the Steelers' offensive coordinator and Grimm was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach at the time.
Instead the job went to outsider Mike Tomlin. Whisenhunt and Grimm headed for the desert. There were hugs all around before the game, then came a hard-hitting defensive fight.
Whisenhunt's two-quarterback approach worked well enough. Kurt Warner replaced starter Matt Leinart and, running a no-huddle offense, directed the tying touchdown drive in the third quarter. Leinart returned in the fourth quarter and led Arizona on a 13-play, 82-yard touchdown drive capped by Edgerrin James' 2-yard scoring run that made it 21-7 with 4:14 to play.
Leinart threw 38 yards to Fitzgerald on the first play of his return. Fitzgerald caught 11 passes for 123 yards.
The Steelers' first-quarter touchdown came on third-and-26 when Roethlisberger threw 43 yards to Holmes, who had six catches for 128 yards.
Both teams were without top receivers because of injuries, Arizona's Anquan Boldin and Pittsburgh's Hines Ward. The Steelers lost defensive starters Troy Palamalu (abdomen) and Casey Hampton (hamstring) early in the third quarter.
