Steelers' Bill Cowher Recalls The Wild Night A Rookie Saved Their Super Bowl Dream

The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in a tough situation whenever their reliable goal line running back Jerome Bettis coughed up the ball as he was about to send the Steelers to the AFC Championship Game. With a minute and 20 seconds left in the game and the Steelers up 21-18, a Bettis touchdown would have really sealed the door shut for Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Bettis fumbled, and Nick Harper picked up the football with a clear path to the end zone.

Ben Roethlisberger made a remarkable game-saving tackle by chasing down Harper and bringing him down before he could score. The tackle kept the Steelers’ lead intact and preserved their chance to advance. The play is often remembered as one of the most incredible hustle moments in Steelers history.

When Bill Cowher previously spoke about the play with Roethlisberger on the Footbahlin podcast, he revealed that while the tackle was great, it was rookie Bryant McFadden who truly saved the game. McFadden’s effort in breaking up a few critical passes was key to the Steelers holding their lead and eventually winning the game.

"Ok, it was a great play, but the first thing I am thinking is we gotta play defense," Cowher said. "Peyton threw the ball in the end zone and Bryant McFadden, who was a rookie, made two big plays in the end zone. I mean it was just huge."

The Bettis fumble set up the Colts with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Manning, giving him a chance to lead either a game-tying or game-winning drive. With just 27 seconds left, Manning lofted a perfect pass toward star wide receiver Reggie Wayne. It looked like a clutch completion in the making, but the rookie cornerback, McFadden, stuck with Wayne step for step and broke up the pass. It was a crucial play, and all these years later, Cowher still remembers how impactful it was.

On the very next play, facing third and two, Manning tried to go back to the air. McFadden once again made a standout read, jumping the route and nearly coming down with an interception. While he didn’t make the pick, the aggressive play forced the Colts into a long field goal attempt to tie the game.

With the pressure on, Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt lined up for a 46-yard attempt. The kick sailed wide right and never had a chance. The Steelers survived one of the wildest finishes in playoff history, and while Roethlisberger’s tackle is often remembered, McFadden’s clutch defense was just as vital in sending Pittsburgh to the AFC Championship.

Several Steelers' Legacies Were On The Line

The Steelers would hang on, and that Bettis fumble was quickly overshadowed by Roethlisberger’s clutch tackle and McFadden’s two standout defensive plays. Their efforts helped preserve the win and keep Pittsburgh’s postseason hopes alive. The Steelers advanced to the AFC Championship Game, where they defeated the Denver Broncos 34-17 to earn a trip to the Super Bowl.

Pittsburgh’s playoff run ended with a storybook finish, as they went on to defeat the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL. It was the franchise’s fifth Lombardi Trophy and the first under Cowher, who had long been chasing a championship of his own.

Many fans don’t often think about how close that run came to ending in Indianapolis. If not for those key moments, the outcome could have changed the legacy of both Cowher and Roethlisberger. One fumble, one missed tackle, or one completed pass could have rewritten Steelers history. 

That game in Indianapolis wasn't just a turning point for the Steelers' 2005 season—it was a defining moment for the franchise. It showed the importance of depth, discipline, and the impact rookies can have when the stakes are highest.