Sep 8, 2006 By Mike Ciarochi 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Charlie Batch made the play, Troy Polamalu brought down the hammer, Joey Porter finished the job.

In a nutshell, that’s how the Steelers beat the Dolphins, 28-17, before a packed house at Heinz Field Thursday night. Much like a lot of games Batch plays, this one wasn’t the prettiest thing you’ll ever see. But it was effective. Today, it becomes a win. No style point awarded, or necessary.

It was a game in which Batch looked sharp in passing for a pair of first-half touchdowns, lousy in a first-and-goal fumble, then spectacular in passing 87 yards to Heath Miller for the game-winning touchdown.

Shortly thereafter, Polamalu stepped in front of a Daunte Culpepper pass for an interception that seemed to seal the win. But Jeff Reed’s 42-yard field goal attempt was wide left to give Miami new life.

But Culpepper, who had not thrown an interception before Polamalu’s served up another to Porter, who carried it 42 yards for the clinching score.

It looked like the Steelers were going to take control of the game with their first possession of the third quarter. Batch, subbing for the appendix-free Ben Roethlisberger, was spotty through the first half, even though he managed two touchdown passes. In the end, he proved he is perhaps the most valuable back-up quarterback in the league.

What he did in the first half was exactly what the Steelers wanted him to do, not make any big mistakes. He fashioned a 98.9 passer rating with very modest numbers, the most important being the zero under interceptions.

At the outset of the second half, though, Batch and the Steelers offense quit pulling punches. They ran with Willie Parker and they passed to Hines Ward. Pittsburgh was on the move when Batch took a bad sack that took his team out of field goal range.

Gardocki’s pooch punt found the end zone and it was Culpepper’s turn. Suffice to say, the veteran didn’t disappoint. Instead, he marched the Dolphins methodically 80 yards in 8 plays, into the end zone and into the lead, 17-14.

Again, the Steelers were on the march. Parker was running, Ward was catching and the Steelers reached a first-and-goal at the Miami 1-yard line … when disaster struck. Batch mishandled the snap and fumbled. Will Allen recovered at the Miami 5-yard line and with 11:58 remaining.

But there was still time. Pittsburgh’s defense (remember them?) had limited Miami to a 2-of-9 third-down conversion rate to that point, but gave up a key conversion on third-and-10 to begin Miami’s ensuing possession.

Instead of forcing a Donnie Jones punt from his own end zone, the Steelers kept Culpepper on the field, never a good strategy.

From there, the Dolphins tried to beat the Steelers at their own game, ball control. Miami crossed midfield as the clock wound under nine minutes.

The defense got another chance and stepped up big, stopping Ronnie Brown on third-and-2 for a 2-yard loss. When the Steelers took over at their 13-yard line with 6:25 remaining, it was evident who had to step up and go back to being anonymous. Charlie Batch, caretaker.

There was plenty of time left and everyone this side of Roethlisberger was healthy.

But instead, Batch grabbed for the gusto. He passed to tight end Heath Miller for 87 yards and a touchdown on the first play to put the Steelers ahead, 21-17, with 6:11 remaining.

Talk about atoning. With one heave, Batch all but said, Fumble? What fumble?

Of course, the stats people won’t let him slide that easily, but the point remains a valid one. Batch validated himself, and then some.

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