Former Steelers Coach Reveals Major Secret About Game-Winning Drive In Super Bowl XLIII

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been treading water in the NFL over the last decade or so as the team has managed to be competitive during the regular season, but has not really been a threat in the playoffs. The franchise has not won a postseason game in eight seasons, and that is a drought that fans are hoping will come to an end in 2025. There once was a time where it seemed that the Steelers were a threat in the playoffs every year. This was back when Ben Roethlisberger was at the helm, but fans haven't felt that feeling in quite some time.

The last meaningful playoff run the Steelers went on came at the end of the 2016 season when the franchise made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game. Before that, Pittsburgh made it to Super Bowl XLV at the end of the 2010 season, but lost to the Green Bay Packers. The organization last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after beating the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII at the end of the 2008 season. It is known as one of the best Super Bowls of all-time, mainly due to Pittsburgh's miraculous game-winning drive. Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator during that time was Bruce Arians, and he recently joined Up & Adams to discuss that moment.

"We start out with this holding penalty," Arians explained. "Had to put it all on Ben. You know, at this time, Hines Ward could barely run. Nate Washington had a separated shoulder. So they're two guys he couldn't throw to. He had Santonio [Holmes], the running back, and Heath Miller. Ben was lights out. What he did, especially that last throw. Santonio gets all the credit for the catch, but the pump, pump, pump, and then that throw... Only about five guys in the world can make that throw."

Pittsburgh got the ball back in Super Bowl XLIII facing a three-point deficit with just about two and a half minutes remaining in the game. A holding penalty forced the drive to start from the Steelers' own 12-yard line, and Roethlisberger had to be a hero to move the ball down the field. Arians revealed that Hines Ward could barely move on the final drive, which is a detail that certainly makes that last push even more impressive.

Ward and Nate Washington were banged up, so Roethlisberger had to rely on himself and Santonio Holmes to get the ball down the field. Washington did catch an 11-yard pass on the drive, but everything else was Roethlisberger and Holmes. Roethlisberger had a four-yard scramble, while Holmes was involved in every other play. The wide receiver caught four passes for 73 yards and the game-winning touchdown on the possession, and he was ultimately named Super Bowl MVP for his performance.

Holmes gets a lot of love for his impressive toe drag in the back corner of the end zone on the game-winning touchdown, but Roethlisberger made one of the best throws of his career on the play. He floated the ball over three defenders to where only Holmes could get it.

Steelers Made Plenty Of Legendary Plays In Super Bowl XLIII

Everyone remembers the touchdown from Holmes, but the more impressive play came at the end of the first half as James Harrison was able to pick off Kurt Warner and run the ball back 100-yards for a touchdown as time expired in the first half. This wound up being a Super Bowl record, and it is one of the most memorable plays in the history of the league.

Another crucial play in Super Bowl XLIII that is often forgotten is LaMarr Woodley's strip-sack on Arizona's final drive. The Cardinals had the ball at about midfield with just under :20 seconds left in the game. Arizona was down four and had a slim chance to win the game, but Woodley crushed those hopes by sacking Warner and forcing the ball loose.

What do you think about Arians' insight to Pittsburgh's game-winning drive in Super Bowl XLIII? Let us know in the comments below!

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