When we think of monumental dates in the Pittsburgh Steelers' history, November 5th doesn’t necessarily jump off the page to most people. With dates such as December 23rd, the cemented early-year dates of each Super Bowl victory, or the franchise’s birthday of July 8th, 1933, it is easy for November 5th, 2007 to get lost in the file cabinet for fans. However, on November 5th, 15 years ago, one of the most historic games happened in what was Heinz Field on Monday Night Football.
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger gets ready for the Ravens in Pittsburgh, PA. | Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
November 5, 2007, James Harrison and Ben Roethlisberger cemented themselves in the Steelers’ record books for years to come.
The 2007 NFL season was a mixed bag for the Steelers. In what was Head Coach Mike Tomlin’s first season at the helm, he seemed to exceed expectations after Bill Cowher’s final season ending with a .500 record just a year prior. Tomlin had the team buzzing through the first half of the season, only to cool off in December and would ultimately lose their home Wild Card playoff game to the Jacksonville Jaguars. But one of the peaks of Tomlin’s first season came in the form of a Monday Night Football game against the Baltimore Ravens that would set the standard for the beginning of his tenure as head coach.
Entering the 2007 Week 9 matchup, the Steelers sat at 6-2 while the Steve McNair-led Ravens were sputtering at 4-4. This was Tomlin’s first exposure to the infamous ‘Ravens Week’ in Pittsburgh and was fairly naïve as to what to expect. The famous Steelers’ alumni of the 1970’s were on hand to celebrate the 75th franchise anniversary and debut of the new throwback uniforms. Harrison and Roethlisberger knew how to honor those who came before them; and it was Harrison who set the precedent early.
Bill Cowher and Joe Greene catch up before the Steelers take on the Ravens in 2007 in Pittsburgh, PA. | Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
The Game’s First Turnover and Touchdown
The game was played in a sloppy, rainy mess and this fared well for the Steelers. Harrison started the game with one of his 3 forced fumbles of the game in the form of a sack/fumble to McNair. Just a handful of plays later, Roethlisberger shrugged off Ravens’ Trevor Pryce, rolled to his left, and found Heath Miller in the back of the endzone for the game’s first score. Little did we know at the time, this was just a microcosm of what the game would hold in the ensuing moments.
Ed Reed Meets James Harrison
Just four minutes after the Steelers’ first score, they were forced to punt from deep in their own territory. With about 3:30 left in the opening quarter, Daniel Sepulveda took the snap and kicked an awkward punt to standout safety Ed Reed at the Raven’s 33-yard line. After running horizontally looking for a crease in the coverage, Reed turned up field only to be face-to-face with Harrison, laid one of the best tackles we’ve ever seen. Harrison turned himself square to Reed, lifted him up in the air, and put his helmet on the ball which launched 15 yards in the opposite direction, which was recovered by Lawrence Timmons.
Steelers' James Harrison tackles the Ravens' Ed Reed in 2007 (Joe Starkey, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW)
Just a mere 2 minutes later, Roethlisberger would find Santonio Holmes down the seam for his second touchdown of the game. With the score at 14-0 in favor of the home team, the Ravens were just looking to run the clock out in the quarter. However, at the hand of Troy Polamalu, Willis McGahee would commit the Ravens’ third turnover of the quarter and fumble the ball with :19 left in the opening quarter, setting up the Steelers for more great field position to pile it on their AFC North foe.
The Ravens’ Knew the Game Was Over Before Halftime
Coming back the other way to open the second quarter, Roethlisberger continued his hot streak. On a third-and-four from their 30-yard line, Roethlisberger extended the play, rolled to his left, and found Nate Washington alone in the endzone for his third touchdown of the game. With the score now at 21-0, it was clear the Ravens had no answers and the route was on for the Steelers. This was precisely when Harrison went full throttle and forced another McNair fumble and made it clear he wasn’t going to ease up. After Roethlisberger tied his career record with a fourth touchdown pass of the game, Harrison continued to impose his will on defense and picked off McNair with 4 minutes left in the half.
Nov 5, 2007; Pittsburgh , PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver (85) Nate Washington celebrates a touchdown catch with wide receiver (10) Santonio Holmes in the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
If you think the Steelers would just run the clock out and go into halftime with a 28-0 advantage, you’d be mistaken. In a prime time game, against a major rival in the division, with first place on the line, and Hall of Famer’s in attendance, there was no let up in Roethlisberger’s attack. After the 2-minute warning, Roethlisberger rolled right inside the red zone and found Washington for his fifth touchdown pass of the half.
At the time, this was a new personal record in Roethlisberger’s history book. In the opening half alone, Roethlisberger posted 11 completions on 14 attempts for 164 yards, 5 touchdowns to 3 different pass catchers, and held a 155.1 quarterback record. Not only was Roethlisberger’s five touchdowns in a half his own record, but he tied the Steelers’ franchise record with Terry Bradshaw and Mark Malone.
Steelers' ben Roethlisberger makes a pass vs. the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, PA | Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
With just a minute left in the half, the Steelers weren’t finished with their physical dominance over the lifeless Ravens. On a draw play to Najeh Davenport on third-and-16, Hines Ward knocked out Reed on a, what was then, legal block. This seemed to be the proverbial nail in the Raven’s coffin before the teams retreated to their respective locker room for the halftime festivities. The Ravens were finally able to post a touchdown on the board, but the half would end with Clark Haggans and Harrison meeting at the quarterback for another sack. With the halftime score of 35-7, the Ravens waived the white flag and the Steelers obliged, kicked a single field goal in the second half, and ended the game with a 38-7 final score.
November 5, 2007; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Demetrius Williams (87) during the second quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. | Credit: Luc Leclerc-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers clearly blew the doors off the Ravens on this nationally televised game. With this performance being essentially a celebration of the Steelers, Ravens’ Head Coach Brian Billick just put his tail between his legs and returned back to Baltimore:
"I wouldn't even know how to begin to characterize this," he said. "I'm just glad it's a short week and we don't have time to dwell on this."
Harrison’s personal grudges led to his historic performance. After he was cut by the Ravens in 2003, Harrison took it upon himself four years later to show them the magnitude of the mistake they made:
"To tell you the truth, it seemed like everything was working," Harrison said. "It was a little more satisfying because it was Baltimore and they cut me."
In addition to Harrison, the defense as a whole came to play. They clearly rode Harrison and fed off his tenacity to close out the game. Leading up to the game however, the locker room knew something big was coming. The players were able to baptize Tomlin in his first matchup against the Ravens and laid the groundwork Tomlin would use moving forward. Linebacker Larry Foote knew Harrison and the defense was in for a big game as the week’s preparation unfolded:
"I haven't seen anyone play a game like that since high school -- not in college or the NFL," Foote said in reflection of Harrison’s game. "But we knew we were going to dominate. You could just tell in practice."
CLICK HERE to watch the highlights of Harrison's defensive domination and Roethlisberger's record-setting night!
November 5, 2007; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) runs back an interception against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 38-7. Credit: Luc Leclerc-USA TODAY Sports
With so many memorable games in Steelers’ history, it is hard to forget this sloppy prime time game on the North Shore. In a matchup that featured multiple Steelers and Ravens players in their prime with big hits, superior defensive showings, and elite quarterback play, this game will live in infamy for both teams. Not to mention, during a bye week amidst a mundane season, it is always fun to reminisce to the days of old.
Do you remember this historic game? What was your favorite play? Let us know in the comments below!
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