Sep 16, 2002 By Commentary Mike Ciarochi 3 min read

PITTSBURGH – New England provided the game plan, then the Oakland Raiders fine tuned it and used it to perfection in a 30-17 win over the Steelers Sunday night. A ball-control passing offense has worked in consecutive games against a Steelers defense that led the NFL only a season ago. Oakland, behind masterful quarterback Rich Gannon, worked the short passing game so well, it almost neglected running back Charlie Garner, who was near the league lead in rushing coming into the game.

By halftime, the Raiders had run 49 offensive plays, which limited Pittsburgh’s offense to a paltry 23. Oakland had converted nine of 12 third downs, including conversions of third-and-15 and third-and-10 on a 15-play, 90-yard drive late in the second quarter.

Gannon went over 300 yards passing midway through the third quarter and finished with an incredible 403. Jerry Rice had 10 catches well before halftime. The only things that kept the score respectable were a pair of Joey Porter interceptions near the goal line, the second of which he returned 84 yards.

Pittsburgh’s pass rush got to Gannon, recording three sacks, but all that did was allow the Raiders to convert longer third downs.

All the while, the Steelers’ offense did more standing and watching than it did playing. When it did play, it showed signs of coming to life, but for the most part looked out of sync. Quaarterback Kordell Stewart was not sharp, but was good enough to keep the Steelers in the game with a pair of touchdown passes to Hines Ward.

The Steelers actually made it a game by converting Porter’s second interception into the second Stewart-to-Ward touchdown play.

Then, special teams reverted to form, allowing the ensuing kickoff to go 96 yards for a touchdown to pump the Raiders’ lead back to 10, 27-17. Then, Stewart passed to Ward, who was stripped and the Raiders and Gannon were back in business.

Porter, who played an incredible game, got his third sack of Gannon, setting up a third-and-10 play. Gannon had Tim Brown streaking alone down the left sideline, but overthrew.

Bottom line, the Steelers are 0-2 heading into their bye week and they have been exposed. Their offense is mediocre at best. Their defense, once thought to be impenetrable, has been beaten badly by a pair of playoff teams.

Football purists hate the short passing game employed by New England and Oakland, but those teams showed the rest of the league how to neutralize Pittsburgh’s defense. Don’t think for a second the Cleveland Browns weren’t watching. They come to Heinz Field in 13 days and have two very recent game films from which to choose.

If you’ve watched the Browns on TV, you already know they struggle trying to run the ball. They beat the Bengals Sunday on the second consecutive big game from backup quarterback Kelly Holcombe. They lost the opener on a helmet removal penalty.

What can the Steelers do to right their ship? Not much. At this stage, they are married to this defensive system, they just have to start executing it more efficiently. They must get off the field on third downs.

Until they can, this team is in big trouble, bigger than a mediocre offense alone can cause. The defense already is more disappointing than the offense, as hard to believe as that may be. If the defense doesn’t soon get its act together, losses will pile upon losses.

The clock is running.

Sports editor Mike Ciarochi may be reached at mciarochi@heraldstandard.com.