In the NFL's  2006-07 regular season opener Thursday night, which was ushered in by NBC, the defending World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-17. 

Up four at the half, the Steelers went down in the third quarter.  On a key third down play, Miami's Daunte Culpepper escaped pressure and found Marty Booker for a completion that went 50 yards.  Later, Ronnie Brown scored his second touchdown of the night on a toss play to put the Dolphins ahead 17-14. 

Ending an 81-yard Steelers drive, led by the hot running of Willie Parker (who was cold at the start with like 12 carries for 25 yards, but quickly heated up to finish with 115 yards), Steelers QB Charlie Batch  -- replacing the injured Ben Roethlisberger on this night -- fumbled with Pittsburgh one yard away from the end zone.  Will Allen recovered it, and Miami looked like they were well on their way to scoring again when Culpepper hit Chris Chambers for another key third down play, picking up the blitz well. 

Then panic set in for Culpepper and company.  Following an 87-yard touchdown pass from Batch to tight end Heath Miller (note: the last touchdown reception by a tight end that went longer was in 1974 when Joe Namath completed an 89-yard scoring play with Rick Casper), Dolphins Head Coach Nick Saban threw the red challenge flag, only it was too late for the officials to see it and take a review.  Personally, I don't feel we should make a huge deal of the whole flag thing.  I mean after all, they would've been put back at the 1.5-yard line, and barring another inexplicable turnover ever so close to the end zone, they would've either had a field goal or touchdown -- most likely the latter. 

Troy Polamalu would pick off Culpepper, but after Jeff Reed had a 44-yard field goal go way left, Miami got anotehr chance.  They got the ball back with 3:09 to play.  Joey Porter's interception of Culpepper returned for a touchdown ice thed win. 

Four things I took out of this game besides the whole challenge flag part of the game many people are talking about the day after the game:

#1 - Sharp Showing By Parker - The Steelers back put up another very sharp season-opening performance.  His 29 carries also showed durability.  Nobodoy saw the absence of Jerome Bettis... and Head Coach Bill Cowher hopes to keep it that way.

#2 - Batch Out-Plays Culpepper - His 3TD's and no interceptions, despite the costly second half fumble, showed they didn't miss a beat without Big Ben.   Culpepper (0-2TD/Int. ratio) was erratic and inaccurate at times.  Didn't see it playing out that way; thought it would be the opposite.

#3 - Chambers - Didn't get going until around the third quarter.  They got a great game from Wes Welker, who may now be the slot man in addition to their return man now.  Welker had four catches for 67 yards to go with his 47-yard punt return that setup the Dolphins' first touchdown of the night.  Chambers finished with five catches for 59 and wasn't able  to score.  The type of game they needed from him was 7-10 catches for 75-100+ receiving yards, especially if they weren't going to get more than one reception from tight end Randy McMichael. 

#4 - Miami's Lack Of Secondary Speed - It was evident and alarming.  Makes me wonder when Jason Allen, their first round draft choice out of Tennessee, will become used more frequently.  Even if he isn't the fastest DB on the team, Allen (6-foot-1, 208-pounds) has strength and the versatility to play either as the nickel corner or at safety.