December 24, 2002
 

STEELERS DEFEAT BUCCANEERS, CLINCH AFC NORTH TITLE

The Pittsburgh Steelers jumped out to an early lead which they would not relinquish, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-7 Monday night to earn the AFC North Division title, their seventh division crown in 11 years under head coach Bill Cowher.

Steelers QB TOMMY MADDOX came out firing, throwing a 41-yard pass to WR PLAXICO BURRESS on Pittsburgh’s first play from scrimmage to jumpstart the Steelers 81-yard opening drive that culminated with an 11-yard touchdown pass to WR ANTWAAN RANDLE-EL.  Maddox completed 17 of 23 attempts on the night, with Burress catching 5 passes for 127 yards.

On Tampa Bay’s first possession, Buccaneers QB SHAUN KING was intercepted by Steelers CB CHAD SCOTT, whose 30-yard return for a touchdown gave the Steelers a 14-0 lead less than four minutes into the game.

With the win, Pittsburgh improves to 9-5-1 and remains in the hunt for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.  Tampa Bay dropped to 11-4 and fell a game behind the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles for the top record in the NFC.