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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Kordell Stewart's composed,
efficient play didn't earn him the job as starting quarterback for
the Pittsburgh Steelers. What it did was hand the New York Jets
their first loss of the season.
|  | | Jerome Bettis rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown during Pittsburgh's 20-3 win on Sunday. |
Coach Bill Cowher declared that Kent Graham is still the starter
after Stewart threw to Bobby Shaw for Pittsburgh's first touchdown
pass of the season, leading the Steelers to a mistake-free 20-3
victory Sunday.
"Kent Graham is our starter, and as soon as he's ready, he'll
play," Cowher said. "Kordell played well, but no ifs, ands or
buts, it's a dead issue. Kent is the starter."
The Steelers (2-3) left no ifs, ands or buts to the outcome as
they knocked out quarterback Vinny Testaverde on the Jets' first
offensive play, then held backup Ray Lucas to 99 yards passing and
forced four New York turnovers.
"The way I feel is one of those `beep' words," Al Groh said
after his first loss as Jets coach. "I'll say the word if you
want, but you'll have to beep it out."
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TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN |
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For the second week in a row, the Steelers used a similar plan of running the ball effectively on offense, playing good solid defense and not giving up the big play.
Also for the second straight game, Kordell Stewart started at quarterback for Pittsburgh because of Kent Graham's injury. Stewart succeeded because he was efficient and poised and played error-free football.
The Steelers' ground game, led by Jerome Bettis, was also impressive and controlled time of possession.
The Jets had their own quarterback injury to deal with when they lost Vinny Testaverde on his first play from scrimmage. Backup QB Ray Lucas was not effective. Nor was RB Curtis Martin, who usually gives the Jets a strong rushing presence.
Lucas was placed in a tough position. The Jets prepared all week for Testaverde to play, so Lucas didn't got the practice time or the repetitions during the week.
While it was a difficult situation today for Lucas, he showed last year (after Testaverde's season-ending injury) that given practice time and the reps he's a competent NFL quarterback.
Tom Donahoe, ESPN.com's NFL analyst, was formerly the Steelers' director of football operations.
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The Jets (4-1), virtually injury-free in their first four games,
lost Testaverde when the quarterback pinched a nerve when he was
hit by linebacker Jason Gildon. Testaverde tore an Achilles' tendon
in the first game last year and missed the rest of the season.
Testaverde, who helped the Jets come back in the fourth quarter
three times in their four victories, was hurt just as he was
throwing an incomplete pass. He did not return.
"I had this pinched nerve for about three weeks, but it wasn't
as severe as it is now," Testaverde said. "He hit me right on the
exact spot. My whole left side from the shoulder to the hand went
numb. It's not as bad, but my hand is still numb as I speak."
Stewart, who lost his job to Graham early this season but got it
back last week when Graham hurt his left hip, was effective, if not
spectacular.
He was 17-of-26 for 140 yards, converted 10 of 18 third-down
plays and completed passes to eight receivers in place of Graham
who was active this week but did not play.
Jerome Bettis added 107 yards rushing and the first touchdown on
the ground against the Jets this season.
"It's basically Kent's job," Stewart said. "Once he's
healthy, he'll get a chance to play. I just have to stay ready."
He credited his success to "staying relaxed. Don't stress."
Pittsburgh did not have a turnover, while the Jets lost their
first two fumbles of the season. Lucas was intercepted twice.
"I'm a little down on myself," said Lucas, who led the Jets to
an 8-8 record last year after they started 1-6 following
Testaverde's injury. "A lot is expected of me as the No. 2
quarterback. I'm supposed to go in there and put points on the
board.
The Steelers nursed a 10-3 lead through most of the second half
until Stewart sealed the outcome with an 87-yard drive, their
second long march of the game, capped by his pass to Shaw. Kris
Brown added a 29-yard field goal with 3:01 left.
The Steelers, leading 3-0 after a 43-yard field goal by Brown on
the final play of the first quarter, drove 94 yards in 13 plays for
a 10-0 lead in the second period.
The drive started after Gildon deflected a field-goal attempt by
John Hall, and Pittsburgh's Lee Flowers inexplicably fielded the
ball at the 5.
Stewart was 5-for-7 for 46 yards on the long drive, and
scrambled once for 20 more. Bettis ran the last 12 yards for the
touchdown, with the Steelers winning a replay challenge that he got
the ball over the goal line before he was down.
Lucas used the last 1:40 of the first half to drive the Jets to
a 40-yard field goal by Hall, making it 10-3.
Game
notes
Steelers left tackle Shar Pourdanesh left the game with an
injured left knee. ... Pittsburgh's record against the Jets is
13-1. Their last previous meeting in 1992, Cowher's first season.
... Jets RB Curtis Martin lost a fumble in the third period, his
first in 545 touches of the ball on a rush or reception. He had
fumbled two other times during the streak, dating back to a 1998
playoff game at Denver, but lost neither. ... The Jets had won
eight straight games since last season.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
Pittsburgh Clubhouse
NY Jets Clubhouse
Jets wait on Vinny; Lucas says he'll be ready ... and better
Testaverde out on first play with pinched nerve in neck
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Vinny Testaverde describes the injury that put him out against Pittsburgh.
wav: 304 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Jerome Bettis says the Steelers just wanted to have a chance at the end against the Jets.
wav: 190 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Al Groh comments on the loss of Vinny Testaverde and the game against the Steelers
wav: 185 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Jerome Bettis hopes the Steelers can play to their potential after a slow start.
wav: 157 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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