Corey Dillon carries Pats past Steelers
Corey Dillon ran right through the Steel Curtain.
The New England running back powered his way to 198 yards on a workmanlike 34 carries as the 2004 Patriots held off the 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 in the Super League opener for both teams.
Mean Joe Greene and the vaunted Pittsburgh defense were simply no match for Dillon, Tom Brady and the well-rounded Pats. Brady threw for 270 yards and also tossed touchdown passes to David Patten and Deion Branch as New England piled up nearly 500 yards of offense and built a 24-14 lead in the third quarter.
Still, the Pats needed a 35-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri -- who had uncharacteristically missed three attempts earlier in the game -- to pull out the victory in the final minutes. Despite his rough day, Vinatieri delivered the winner, just as he did in all three of New England's Super Bowl victories.
Dillon averaged 5.8 yards per carry, including a 34-yard TD run, as New England controlled the clock for much of the game.
Terry Bradshaw rallied the Steelers with 206 yards passing and two scores, but the Steelers' running game was held largely in check. Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier combined for fewer than 90 yards rushing.