The Pittsburgh Steelers open the 2023 regular season against the reigning NFC-runner-ups in the San Francisco 49ers. Unlike recent years, the Steelers will be playing their Week 1 game in Pittsburgh, something they haven't had the opportunity to do since 2014. It seems nearly impossible that the Steelers have been the visiting team in Week 1 for the past eight seasons, but it's true, and former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger even recently took a shot at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for the lack of home season openers.
Jared Wickerham
After playing for several other teams, Bruce Gradkowski (right) came to Pittsburgh to back up Ben Roethlisberger (left).
Steelers History In Home Season Openers
Although Steelers home season openers have been few and far between, they have been dominant in their last five opportunities to open the NFL season in Pittsburgh. In total, they are 4-1 in their last five with the most recent coming in 2014 and their latest on this list being in 2008. In their most recent Week 1 home performance, the Steelers knocked off the Cleveland Browns by a score of 30-27.
Pittsburgh saw impressive performances from all major contributors, with Roethlisberger throwing for 365 yards and Le'Veon Bell rushing for 109 yards and accounting for 88 yards in the receiving game in his first performance of his second season in the league. The top receivers for the game were Antonio Brown, who had five receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown and Markus Wheaton, who recorded 97 yards. Despite these amazing individual performances, it was still a close divisional game with Pittsburgh finding a way to hold on for the victory after leading 27-3 at halftime.
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Le'Veon Bell (#26) runs up the field against the Detroit Lions.
The Steelers were not as fortunate in their home season opener in 2013 against the Tennessee Titans, as it is their one loss in their last five games of such magnitude. Pittsburgh lost the game by a score of 16-9, with no players having a very impressive individual performance while Roethlisberger only passed for 191 yards and the team scoring just one touchdown and recording a safety. It was the start to a disappointing year for the Steelers as they finished just 8-8 and missed the playoffs.
In 2012, the Steelers opened their season at home against the Atlanta Falcons and won 15-9. Roethlisberger did not play in this game, and had Dennis Dixon starting in his place. Dixon threw for 236 yards, but ultimately, it was Rashard Mendenhall's performance that lifted the Steelers over the Falcons in overtime. Mendenhall rushed for 120 yards and one touchdown, with the score coming on a 50-yard touchdown scamper shortly after overtime began.
New York Post
Rashard Mendenhall operated as the Steelers' lead back for three seasons, recording a whopping 324 rushing attempts in 2010
The Steelers also opened the season in Pittsburgh in 2009 due to them winning Super Bowl the year prior, which landed them a Thursday night game to open the 2009 NFL season against the Titans. The Steelers won the low-scoring affair by a score of 13-10, with most remembering the game because of Troy Polamalu's acrobatic interception. This game also went to overtime, with Jeff Reed kicking the game-winning field goal shortly after the overtime period began.
The last of the five most recent home season openers for the Steelers was perhaps their most dominant. In 2008, the Steelers season began in Pittsburgh against the Houston Texans, and the Steelers won in a punishing fashion with the final score being 38-17. This started the Steelers extremely successful season, in which they won Super Bowl XLIII.
The game featured both Willie Parker and Hines Ward delivering dominating performances, Parker ran for 138 yards and scored three touchdowns while Ward caught two touchdowns and recorded 76 receiving yards. The Steelers were also impressive defensively, with James Harrison having three sacks and the team having a total of three takeaways: two interceptions, and a fumble recovery.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers outside linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley pose for a photo on the bench.
The Steelers have their first home opener in eight years this upcoming Sunday against the 49ers, and there is a lot of excitement in the air. Kenny Pickett looks ready to take a year two leap, and with an impressive draft class and adding some necessary pieces through free agency the Steelers look ready to compete against one of the best teams in the NFC. After a spotless preseason, it's time to see if Pittsburgh can continue their success into meaningful football while opening the season at home.
Are you excited for the Steelers first home opener in eight years? Let us know in the comments below!
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