1996 Pittsburgh Steelers season | |
---|---|
Owner | The Rooney Family |
General manager | Tom Donahoe |
Head coach | Bill Cowher |
Home field | Three Rivers Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 10–6 |
Division place | 1st AFC Central |
Playoff finish | Won Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Colts) 42–14 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Patriots) 3–28 |
Pro Bowlers | 6
|
AP All-Pros | 4
|
Team MVP | Jerome Bettis |
Team ROY | Jon Witman |
The 1996 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 64th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
This was Bill Cowher's fifth season as head coach of the Steelers, which resulted in yet another trip to the playoffs for the team, as Pittsburgh won the AFC Central championship for the fourth time under Cowher.
The team's 10–6 record was not enough to earn the Steelers a first-round bye. In their first playoff game, a rematch of the previous year's AFC Championship Game, the Steelers defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 42–14. The following their season would come to a halt as the Steelers lost to the New England Patriots, 28–3.
This would be the final season that the team wore block numerals, the next year they would switch to rounded numerals where it has remained ever since.
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Notable additions include Jerome Bettis, Earl Holmes and Carlos Emmons.
Week | Date | Opponent | Game Site | Kickoff (ET) | TV | Result | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sat. Jul. 27 | vs. San Diego Chargers | Tokyo Dome (Tokyo, Japan) | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN | L 20–10 | 0–1 |
2 | Sat. Aug. 3 | St. Louis Rams | Three Rivers Stadium | 6:00 p.m. | WPXI | W 16–10 | 1–1 |
3 | Sun. Aug. 11 | at Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field | 8:00 p.m. | TNT | L 24–17 | 1–2 |
4 | Sat. Aug. 17 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Three Rivers Stadium | 6:00 p.m. | WPXI | W 13–3 | 2–2 |
5 | Fri. Aug. 23 | at Philadelphia Eagles | Veterans Stadium | 7:30 p.m. | WPXI | L 20–19 | 2–3 |
Week | Date | Opponent | Game Site | Kickoff (ET) | TV | TV Announcers | Result | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sun. Sep. 1 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | Alltel Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | Marv Albert & Sam Wyche | L 24–9 | 0–1 |
2 | Sun. Sep. 8 | Baltimore Ravens | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | Marv Albert & Sam Wyche | W 31–17 | 1–1 |
3 | Mon. Sep. 16 | Buffalo Bills | Three Rivers Stadium | 9:00 p.m. | ABC | Al Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan Dierdorf | W 24–6 | 2–1 |
4 | Sun. Sep. 22 | Bye | ||||||
5 | Sun. Sep. 29 | Houston Oilers | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | Don Criqui & Beasley Reece | W 30–16 | 3–1 |
6 | Mon. Oct. 7 | at Kansas City Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 9:00 p.m. | ABC | Al Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan Dierdorf | W 17–7 | 4–1 |
7 | Sun. Oct. 13 | Cincinnati Bengals | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | Charlie Jones & Randy Cross | W 20–10 | 5–1 |
8 | Sun. Oct. 20 | at Houston Oilers | Astrodome | 4:00 p.m. | NBC | Don Criqui & Beasley Reece | L 23–13 | 5–2 |
9 | Sun. Oct. 27 | at Atlanta Falcons | Georgia Dome | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | Dan Hicks & Bob Trumpy | W 20–17 | 6–2 |
10 | Sun. Nov. 3 | St. Louis Rams | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | FOX | Joe Buck & Bill Maas | W 42–6 | 7–2 |
11 | Sun. Nov. 10 | at Cincinnati Bengals | Cinergy Field | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | Don Criqui & Beasley Reece | L 34–24 | 7–3 |
12 | Sun. Nov. 17 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | Jim Lampley & Bob Golic | W 28–3 | 8–3 |
13 | Mon. Nov. 25 | at Miami Dolphins | Pro Player Stadium | 9:00 p.m. | ABC | Al Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan Dierdorf | W 24–17 | 9–3 |
14 | Sun. Dec. 1 | at Baltimore Ravens | Memorial Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | Jim Lampley & Bob Golic | L 31–17 | 9–4 |
15 | Sun. Dec. 8 | San Diego Chargers | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | Tom Hammond & Bob Trumpy | W 16–3 | 10–4 |
16 | Sun. Dec. 15 | San Francisco 49ers | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | FOX | Pat Summerall & John Madden | L 25–15 | 10–5 |
17 | Sun. Dec. 22 | at Carolina Panthers | Ericsson Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | Don Criqui & Beasley Reece | L 18–14 | 10–6 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
Jaguars | 7 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ravens | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Steelers | 14 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 31 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bills | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
Steelers | 7 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oilers | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 16 |
Steelers | 17 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 30 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 0 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 17 |
Chiefs | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
Steelers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
Oilers | 3 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 23 |
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 3 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 20 |
Falcons | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rams | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
Steelers | 14 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 0 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
Bengals | 3 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
at Cinergy Field, Cincinnati, Ohio
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaguars | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Steelers | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
Ravens | 7 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 31 |
at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chargers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Steelers | 6 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
49ers | 16 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 25 |
Steelers | 0 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 15 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Panthers | 7 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 18 |
at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Scoring drives:
AFC Central | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 344 | 257 | L2 |
(5) Jacksonville Jaguars | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 325 | 335 | W5 |
Cincinnati Bengals | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 372 | 369 | W3 |
Houston Oilers | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 345 | 319 | W1 |
Baltimore Ravens | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 371 | 441 | L3 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Steelers | 10 | 3 | 8 | 21 | 42 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scoring drives:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Patriots | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Scoring drives:
The 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 47th season in the National Football League (NFL). The Steelers successfully defended their Super Bowl Championship from the previous year, despite not improving on their 14–2 record from last year with a 12–4 record. They went on to defeat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV. The Steelers started out to a 4–0 record. Adding to the previous season, the Steelers had won 12 in a row. They finished the regular season at 12–4. In six of those games the opponents were held to a touchdown or less. In the playoffs Pittsburgh defeated Miami, 34–14 and then for the second consecutive season beat Houston 27–13, in the AFC championship game. The Steelers ended the decade by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31–19 in Super Bowl XIV. Despite them and the San Diego Chargers having 12–4 records, the Chargers were awarded the top seed in the AFC because of their victory over the Steelers.
The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 73rd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). It was the 6th season under the leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the 14th under head coach Bill Cowher. The Steelers failed to improve upon their 15–1 record from 2004 and in 2005, the Steelers struggled. At one point, they were 7–5 and in danger of missing the playoffs but rose to defeat the Chicago Bears on December 11 and started a four-game win streak to finish the season at 11–5.
The 1977 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 45th in the National Football League. The 1977 Pittsburgh Steelers failed to improve on their 10-4 record from 1976 and finished with a 9-5 record; however, they appeared in the playoffs for their 6th straight season and won the AFC Central again. They had a hard time for most of the season as their record hovered around .500. Even the Steel Curtain seemed to have a little wear and tear allowing 243 points on the season, more than 100 more than the previous season. The sloppy plays would catch up with them in the Divisional Playoffs when they were knocked off by the Broncos 34–21 in Denver.
The 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 49th in the National Football League. After enduring an injury plagued 9–7 season the previous year and missing the playoffs for the first time since 1971, the Steelers had hoped that the 1980 season was just a small hiatus from contending for championships. However, while the Steelers had flashes of their former glory years after starting the season with 2 unimpressive losses, the 1981 season would end in an 8–8 record and eventually prove the end of the Steelers great dynasty of the 1970s. The Steelers had a chance to make the playoffs with an 8–5 start to the year but lost all of their last three games to miss the playoffs.
The 1997 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 65th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
The 1987 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 55th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League. The team improved from a 6–10 record from 1986 and finishing 8–7 record and fail to reach the playoffs for a third straight season. Noll was renowned as a stoic character, but in complete contrast was his reaction to Jerry Glanville, the head coach of the Oilers. After the Steelers second meeting, Noll in the postgame handshake grabbed Glanville and told him he'd better watch out or he'd get jumped on. This was in reaction to Glanville's earlier comments on how the Oilers field was the 'house of pain' and his prediction that his players would intentionally hurt the Steelers.
The 1989 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 57th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League. They were considered a rebuilding team filled with many young players, especially after the release of longtime center Mike Webster in the offseason. The young team showed its inexperience in the first game of the season, when they lost at home to the archrival Cleveland Browns 51–0. The loss marked the Steelers worst defeat in franchise history. The following week wasn't much better, losing 41–10 to another division rival, the defending AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals.
The 1990 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 58th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
The 1991 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 59th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL).
The 1992 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 60th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
The 1993 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 61st season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
The 1994 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 62nd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
The 1995 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 63rd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL).
The 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 66th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL).
The 1999 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise’s 67th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
The 2000 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 68th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
The 2002 season was the Pittsburgh Steelers' 70th as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
The 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 69th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). After finishing the previous three seasons a combined 22–26, the Steelers returned to the top seed in the AFC, rolling to a 13–3 record in their first playoff berth and AFC Central title since 1997 and playing at Heinz Field. The Steelers went 7–1 in their new home stadium, with the only loss coming to the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.
The 1964 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 32nd in the National Football League.
The 1999 Tennessee Titans season was the franchise's 40th season and their 30th in the National Football League (NFL). It was the first year for the team under the name “Titans”, while the nickname “Oilers” was retired by the NFL. The Titans qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1993, and their first since relocating from Houston, as well as their first playoff victory since 1991. They became the seventh Wild Card team to qualify for the Super Bowl. However, after defeating the Bills, Colts, and Jaguars in the postseason, they lost the Super Bowl to the St. Louis Rams, 23–16 on a famous last-second tackle made by Rams defender Mike Jones at the goal line that prevented Titans receiver Kevin Dyson from scoring a potential game-tying touchdown.