Inhistoric.com: The Sports History Blog

It's hard to believe that a playoff game could take place where Kelly Holcomb and Tommy Maddox were the starting quarterbacks, let alone a thrilling game that came down to the last seconds. Yet that’s what happened on a snowy day in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the Browns failed to put away the Steelers after holding the lead for 59 minutes and 6 seconds. In what was anticipated to be a low-scoring game, the two QB's combined for over 700 passing yards and 6 touchdowns.

Coming into this NFC wildcard game, Kelly Holcomb had to battle with Tim Couch, the number one overall pick, for the starting job. Although Couch was higher on the depth chart, he injured his leg in the last regular season game of the year, forcing coach Butch Davis to go with the backup. It turned out to be a stroke of luck, as Holcomb was brilliant from start to finish. In just his 4th career start, Holcomb threw for 429 yards, a record for a regulation playoff game.

After a touchdown throw to Dennis Northcutt and a defensive stop, Cleveland had a commanding 24-7 lead with 11:12 remaining in the third quarter. Holcomb was red hot and the Browns' defense was not perturbed by the Pittsburgh snow. But the Steelers did not panick and began to drive down field with increased confidence. Pittsburgh produced touchdowns on their next two possessions and cut the lead to 27-21 early in the 4th quarter.

The Browns weren't ready to cave in just yet. Possessing poise many thought he lacked, Holcomb came right back and responded with a touchdown of his own, doing so in only five plays. After failing to complete a two-point convergence, the Browns maintained a 33-21 lead.

Both teams punted on their next possessions. The Steelers' fate was in the hands of XFL MVP Tommy Maddox, who had only 5:30 to overcome a 12-point deficit. Maddox, who himself supplanted Kordell Stewart at quarterback earlier in the season, did not project clutchness to a majority of the Steeler fans; many began heading to the exits. The goal-line bleachers in particular were almost completely abandoned.

Still, Maddox was up to the task. He drove the team 77 yards before a 5-yard TD to Hines Ward made it 33-28 with 3:06 left. Maddox and the Steelers were bailed out by several Browns penalties that stopped the clock and moved the chains. Had three penalties that gave Pittsburgh three first downs not occurred, Cleveland would have gotten the ball back without Pittsburgh scoring.

Instead, the Browns still needed to run out the clock. With the Steelers down to two timeouts and Holcomb playing great, getting the one first down that would win them the game didn’t appear that hard. Unfortunately, the rushing game had been nonexistent for the Browns all day. Rookie Willie Green ran for just 30 yards only 25 rushes and got nowhere on the 1st and 10. After Pittsburgh used its second timeout, Davis elected to revert back to the passing game.

On 3rd and 12, Holcomb fired a pass to an open Dennis Northcutt that, if caught, would have ended the game. The ball went through the wide receiver’s hand, and Cleveland was forced to punt; the Browns had used just 35 seconds.

The Steelers got the ball back with 2:35 left and one timeout. Maddox completed 4 of 5 passes on the drive and set Pittsburgh at the 3-yard line with 58 seconds left. On 2nd and goal, Fuamatu-Ma’afala ran in for the potential game-winner.

Down 36-33, Cleveland still had 50 seconds to move from their own 23. Having used all their timeouts in the third quarter, the Browns were at a major disadvantage. Holcomb was still able to move the ball. After another pass to Northcutt down field, Kelly spiked the ball, leaving the Browns just 7 seconds to move from the Steelers' 45. The next pass was complete to Andre King at the 29-yard line. King stumbled on the icy turf and failed to make it out of bounds in time, giving Pittsburgh the dramatic victory as time ran out.

Even though Couch had a very solid 2002 campaign, Holcomb’s performance allowed him to become Cleveland's starting QB in 2003. Couch was released in 2004 and, following several surgeries and failed drug tests, failed to make it back to the NFL. Maddox went 30-48 with 367 yards in what would turn out to be his finest moment in the NFL. The Steelers advanced to face the Titans in the divisional round, where they lost a 34-31 heart-breaker in overtime.

Further reading:
Steelers beat Browns on late rally