Nothing special about these Steelers

To be a champion in professional sports, you must play a complete game -- especially when it counts.

On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers' deficiency in one facet of the game ended their season sooner than everyone expected.

You can say what you want about Steelers' QB Kordell Stewart's three interceptions -- two of those coming in the final three minutes of the game.

You can also say what you will about the Patriots' defense shutting down the Steelers' running game.

But, the real reason the New England Patriots are headed to Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans next week is because of their ability to execute on special teams -- and the Steelers' inability to do anything about it.

It started in the first quarter with Troy Brown taking a punt return 55 yards for a touchdown to put the Pats up 7-0. A return that saw some of the poorest punt coverage you could ever see outside of a Pop Warner game.

It continued with Antwan Harris' 49 yard touchdown return of a blocked field goal attempt -- after Brown lateraled the ball to him -- to push the New England advantage 21-3.

For the day, the Patriots averaged 27.7 yards per kick return and 26.7 yards per punt return. In a game as closely played as this, those numbers are astronomical.

Throw in an emotional TD pass by backup QB Drew Bledsoe in between the special teams plays and a fourth quarter field goal by Adam Vinatieri and you have a complete football game. Offense, defense, and special teams all doing what needed to be done when it needed to be done.

And all this despite being flagged for 87 yards on 12 penalties.

To their credit, the Steelers' did make a run and put some pressure on the Patriots, putting up 14 points in the third quarter. Jerome Bettis took the ball in the endzone from a yard out ending an impressive drive that saw the Steelers go 79 yards on 8 plays in just 3:40. Amos Zeroue added an 11-yard touchdown run later in the quarter.

But, when you give up 14 points on special teams, and the margin of defeat is only seven points, the only conclusion to draw is that the better team came out on top.

For all their penalties, the Pats did not turn the ball over once. Their offense was comparable to the Steelers, gaining just over a half-yard less per play. The defense just as limiting as the much revered Steelers, who were the NFL's top-ranked defense this season.

However, the Patriots proved the more complete team by using one of their strengths to exploit one of the few weaknesses of this Steeler team.

New England may not be the most talented on either side of the ball -- especially defensively -- however, they get the job done.

And sometimes, that's enough.