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Welcome to the first edition of the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Greatest Plays Bracket. In honor of March Madness, we at BTSC have decided to select, what we thought, the top 16 Steelers plays of all-time. Once we made the selections, we ranked them in order of importance.
On Friday of last week, we saw Jack Lambert throwing Dallas Cowboys Cliff Harris narrowly beat out Troy Polamalu's 2008 AFC Championship interception returned for a touchdown by the finest of margins. Lambert's 52-percent bested Polamalu's 48-percent to move on to Round 2.
Today's matchup won't be any easier as the No. 6 seed faces the No. 11 seed in another battle of classic vs. modern Steelers plays. Lynn Swann's sideline catch against the Cowboys in Super Bowl X is the favorite as the higher seeded play, but Jerome Bettis running over Brian Urlacher at Heinz Field in the snow in 2005 is a very powerful 11 seed and could certainly send Swann packing. Take a look and place your vote!
6. Lynn Swann's sideline catch in Super Bowl X
Just as Jack Lambert's throwing of Cliff Harris has become an iconic image in Steelers history, the same can be said about this catch. Swann's ability to not just get vertical along the sideline, but to avoid landing out of bounds by contorting his body leaves one speechless after watching. I guess all those ballet lessons paid off for the now Hall of Fame wide receiver. Swann's play happened on the biggest of stages, but didn't result in a touchdown - or even a field goal - in this particular Super Bowl.
To see the play again, check out this NFL.com video of one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history.
11. Jerome Bettis runs over Brian Urlacher in the snow
The setting just seemed right. Heinz Field, playoffs on the line, NFC powerhouse Chicago Bears coming to town and snow falling in the steel city. It was time for the Bus to get his snow tires out and do some damage. Bettis ran over his share of defenders in his NFL career, but none more touted than Brian Urlacher. The perennial Pro Bowl linebacker was considered the best of the best, but on this particular play, it was Bettis who got the best of the matchup. My personal favorite part of the play, as you watch it in slow motion below, is when Bettis' knee collides with Urlacher's chin sending his head snapping back will Bettis lunges for the touchdown.
Two very significant plays in Steelers' history. Bettis' touchdown propelled the team towards the playoffs and eventually a Super Bowl XL championship. On the other hand, Swann's catch is more than just an iconic image but one of the greatest catches in the history of the NFL. Be sure to place your vote below to say which play moves on to Round 2.
Tuesday the tough decisions continue as it pits Ben Roethlisberger's shoe string tackle against the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional round of the 2005 playoffs vs. Antwaan Randle El's Super Bowl XL touchdown pass to Hines Ward.
We hope you continue to enjoy the Sweet 16 bracket - Steelers style.