Miami @ Pittsburgh
1 2 3 4 FINAL
#3 MIAMI 21 14 14 3 52
#2 PITTSBURGH 7 10 21 10 45
PITTSBURGH –
The Miami Dolphins (12-6) strolled into town and bullied the Pittsburgh
Steelers (11-6) all afternoon long defeating the home side 52-45 to advance to
the AFC Championship game.
Much
maligned passer Ryan Fitzpatrick silenced some critics with a 245 yard passing
day to go along with four scoring throws. The signal-caller out of Harvard has
been called a game-manager and a has-been throughout the season due to his lack
of use under center, but put some of those critics out to pasture with a cool
and efficient day in a hostile environment.
“I heard the
crowd chirping all game long,” Fitzpatrick said. “Chanting about the Ivy League
and making fun of the car I drive, stuff like that. At the end of the day we
silenced them pretty well.”
To his
credit, Ben Roethlisberger attempted to will his team back after the 35-17 halftime
deficit, with 448 yards passing and five touchdown passes.
“It wasn’t
enough,” Roethlisberger said. “We will move forward from this one and try to
get better next year.”
After an
upset in Denver, the Dolphins will get a chance to host next week’s AFC
Championship against the New England Patriots (12-6) who are still without the
services of Tom Brady (injured Week 17 versus Miami).
