Introducing the next batch of moments in this year’s tournament of the 64 saddest moments in Steelers history
It’s Round 1, day three of the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers March Sadness — the NCAA-style tournament of the worst moments in black and gold history. If you haven’t voted yet in our earlier brackets, check out Day 1 & Day 2. Let’s introduce the next 16 moments.
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No. 1 seed: AFC Championship vs. Chargers, 1/15/95 — Three. More. Yards.
The Steelers had five minutes left in the game and needed a touchdown to win. Neil O’Donnell drove Pittsburgh across the field, ultimately giving the Steelers a first-and-goal from the nine yard line. It would all come down to a fourth-and-goal from the three. O’Donnell was looking for Barry Foster in the shallow of the end zone, but lineback Dennis Gibson broke up the pass.
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No. 16 seed: Week 15 vs. Patriots, 12/17/17 — Jesse caught it
Home-field advantage in the playoffs was on the line. It seemed like it would become reality, when JuJu Smith-Schuster busted a 69-yard catch-and-run with 52 seconds left in the game. Then, Ben Roethlisberger found tight end Jesse James wide open in the end zone for the game-winning score, but after thousands of replays, the refs decided that he didn’t complete the catch. Two plays later, Roethlisberger was picked off to seal the defeat.
No. 2 seed: AFC Divisional Round at Titans, 1/11/03 — Dewayne Washington runs into kicker
Joe Nedney lined up in overtime for the game-winning 31-yard field goal. The kick was good, but Pittsburgh had actually called a timeout. Nedney tried again, and this time he missed, however, Dewayne Washington was flagged for running into the kicker. Third time was a charm for Nedney and the Titans.
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No. 15 seed: Week 16 at Saints, 12/23/18 — JuJu fumbles away the game (& season)
Despite all the craziness that occurred earlier in this game, Ben Roethlisberger was engineering another fourth-quarter comeback with 1:25 left in the game. Trailing 31-28, Pittsburgh faced a first-and-ten on the Saints 42. Roethlisberger completed the pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster, who fumbled the ball and the Steelers’ shot at the playoffs.
No. 3 seed: AFC Wildcard vs. Chargers, 1/9/83 — Fouts screen to Winslow
San Diego had the ball back with four minutes left, trailing 28-24. They drove down to Pittsburgh’s 12-yard line. On third and seven, the Chargers faked a sweep, the Steelers bit, and Dan Fouts threw a screen to Kellen Winslow for the game-winning comeback.
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No. 14 seed: AFC Wild Card vs. Jaguars, 1/5/08 — Ben’s third pick
Pittsburgh was trailing 21-7, but the momentum was shifting. Josh Scobee had missed a field goal, and the Steelers had driven to the Jaguars 21-yard line. On second-and-four, Ben Roethlisberger tried dumping it to Carey Davis, but defensive tackle Derek Landri reached to the heavens and picked it off.
No. 4 seed: AFC Divisional Round at Broncos, 1/17/16 — Toussaint’s fourth-quarter fumble
Clinging on to a 13-12 lead in the fourth quarter, Ben Roethlisberger began methodically moving the ball down the field, with completions to Jesse James, Markus Wheaton, and Darrius Heyward-Bey. It appeared inevitable that the Steelers would expand on their lead. On second-and-four from Denver’s 34, Fitzgerald Toussaint got the ball and was untouched for about six or seven yards. Then, safety Bradley Roby came sprinting in with a hit that caused a fumble and changed the direction of the game.
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No. 13 seed: 1/14/18 AFC Divisional vs Jaguars – Bell stuffed on fourth & 1
Pittsburgh was trailing 14-0 in the first quarter but had advanced to the Jacksonville 21-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-1, the Steelers decided to go for it, giving the ball to Le’Veon Bell
who was tackled by Jalen Ramsey and Malik Jackson behind the line of scrimmage. The Jaguars proceeded to drive 75 yards for a touchdown.
Poll
What Moment Moves On?
No. 5 seed: AFC Championship vs. Dolphins, 12/31/72 — Ham’s INT called back
Pittsburgh was clinging to a 10-7 lead in the third quarter, and Miami replaced quarterback Earl Morrall for Bob Griese. Jack Ham appeared to make that decision costly for the Dolphins, when he made an incredible reaching interception. However, Dwight White had jumped the gun before the snap and couldn’t get back onside, so the play was reversed by the refs. That 11-play drive would finish with a two-yard Jim Klick touchdown run that gave Miami a lead that was never relinquished.
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No. 12 seed: AFC Divisional vs. Bills, 1/9/93 — Royals’ fumble holds
The Steelers were trailing 14-3 in the fourth quarter, but were about to make it an eight-point game with a Gary Anderson 32-yard field goal. However, holder Mark Royals fumbled the Kendall Gammon snap. Royals tried to run with the ball but was tackled for a loss.
No. 6 seed: AFC Championship, 12/26/76 — Stabler’s play-action to Bankston
Despite being up 17-7 in the third quarter, Oakland found themselves going for it on fourth-and-one from the Steelers 24-yard line. A stop could have sparked a Pittsburgh comeback. Warren Bankston (who had already scored a receiving touchdown) came in as a third tight end, but instead of running the ball, Ken Stabler dialed up a play-action pass to Bankston for the first down. The Raiders would go on to take a 24-7 lead.
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No. 11 seed: AFC Divisional vs. Bills, 1/9/93 — Shelton drops pick-6
Pittsburgh didn’t put up any first-half points after their opening drive field goal. However, they were only trailing 7-3 at halftime. On Buffalo’s opening possession of the second half, Frank Reich’s pass to Don Beebe hit Richard Shelton right in the hands, in what was sure to be a pick-six. Instead, on the next play, Reich connected with James Lofton to increase the lead to 14-3.
No. 7 seed: AFC Wildcard at Chiefs, 1/8/94 — Royals blocked
Pittsburgh was winning 24-17 with less than five minutes left in the fourth, and more or less in control of the game. Mark Royals came out to punt, but Kansas City tight end Keith Cash broke through the line to block it. The Chiefs recovered and returned it to the Steelers nine-yard line.
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No. 10 seed: AFC Divisional vs. Jaguars, 1/14/18 — Telvin Smith’s fumble recovery
The Steelers were trailing 21-7 with 2:33 left in the first half. They had just crossed midfield when Yannick Ngakoue sacked Ben Roethlisberger, causing him to fumble the ball. Telvin Smith scooped it up and returned it 50 yards for the touchdown.
Which Moment Moves On
No. 8 seed: AFC Divisional at Patriots, 1/5/97 — Martin’s Fog Bowl TD
Pittsburgh never had a chance in this fog bowl. The nail in the coffin was probably when Curtis Martin ripped off a 78-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to make it 21-0. This was New England’s first home playoff win.
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No. 9 seed: AFC Championship at Raiders, 12/26/76 — Willie Hall’s interception
Without Franco Harris or Rocky Bleier, Pittsburgh didn’t have much of an offensive attack. So in the second quarter, when Willie Hall picked off Terry Bradshaw and returned it to the one-yard line, the ensuing touchdown was all the points the Raiders would need on this day. They still went on to score 14 more.
