If you haven't heard already, the Pittsburgh Steelers (and University of Pittsburgh) field will have a new name, beginning this season in 2022. That's right, the beloved Heinz Field will be no longer. Since the name took over in 2001, the two ketchup bottles on the scoreboard have become a Pittsburgh staple. The same can be said for the University of Pittsburgh, who plays their home games at the same field as well.
Now, Acrisure Stadium will be the new name. It's not the same, but we do have to say our goodbyes to Heinz Field. But first, here are the top five regular season moments in Heinz Field history (along with some honorable mentions):
5. Jerome Bettis' 3 TD's in final career home game
Running back Jerome Bettis capped off his legendary career with a storybook ending. While Willie Parker manned a majority of the carries, as he had a day with 135 rushing yards on 26 carries, Bettis still stole the show. He scored three touchdowns in Week 17 of the 2005-06 season, propelling the Steelers to a 35-21 win over the Detroit Lions. It was Bettis' last career game at Heinz Field, as the Steelers had to play on the road throughout the playoffs.
4. Steelers get the monkey off their back
The Steelers finally defeated the New England Patriots in Week 15 of the 2018 season. This was a memorable one, also known as the "Jaylen Samuels Game." Samuels gashed the Patriots defense for 142 rushing yards on just 19 carries. James Conner missed that game due to injury, and many, myself included, were speculative on Samuels being able to carry the burden against the Pats. He did just that, and then some. This was a must-win game at the time, as the Steelers were pushing for the playoffs. The defense held down Tom Brady and co. to just 10 points.
Dec 16, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) meet at mid-field after playing at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
3. The Immaculate Extension on Christmas Day
No, not the Immaculate Reception from Franco Harris. The Immaculate Extension from Antonio Brown. What a game this was, per usual in the Baltimore Ravens-Steelers rivalry. Down 27-24, Brown caught the pass and looked to be short, as three Ravens defenders were on him. Instead, he willed his way, extending the ball across the goal line with just under 10 seconds remaining, putting the Steelers up 31-27. If not for that, the Steelers would have lost, as they had zero timeouts left.
2. Big Ben's back-to-back 6 TD performances
First, it was the Indianapolis Colts. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger decimated the Colts secondary for six touchdown passes in the Steelers' throwback bumblebee uniforms for a huge victory. He was 40-for-49 with 522 passing yards as well, not too shabby. Roethlisberger followed that up by doing it all over again a week later, this time against the Ravens. That's right, 12 touchdown passes in the span of two weeks at Heinz Field. Roethlisberger topped both historic performances off with a play-action floater to Matt Spaeth.
1. Heinz Field's last ever game
Looking back, this has to be the No. 1 selection for this list. It's only right that Roethlisberger's last home game also ends up being Heinz Field's last game. The night was filled with pride and joy, as everyone was able to reflect and look back on the 18 years of Roethlisberger leading the city of Pittsburgh. Now, we'll look back at it as the end of an era in one more way, as that's how Heinz Field went out. Just as scripted, it also ended in a win over the Cleveland Browns.
The less memorable Steelers moments at Heinz Field
2018 Week 16 loss to the New Orleans Saints
Ultimately, the Week 15 win over the Patriots, No. 4 on my list, ended up being all for not. The Steelers had to essentially win out in 2018 in order to make the playoffs. While they completed the first step of that against the Patriots, the Week 16 loss to the Saints just a week later was the heartbreaker. There were several agonizing moments from that game, including Joe Haden's "pass interference" as well as JuJu Smith-Schuster's fumble which all but sealed the Steelers' fate.
Jesse James' controversial fumble
Based purely off memory, this would be top five. I opted to go with some more positive moments, but we will all remember this touchdown catch by Jesse James that was ruled as "incomplete." For even worse measures, it was against the Patriots. It also costed the Steelers' chances at the No. 1 seed in the AFC in the postseason. That made the playoff road more difficult, leading to their disappointing loss against the Blake Bortles-led Jacksonville Jaguars in the postseason.
Dec 17, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) fails to hold the ball as he falls across the goal line against New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) and strong safety Duron Harmon (30) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The play was ruled an incomplete pass. The Patriots won 27-24. Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports
Antonio Brown's 284-yard performance against Raiders
This was peak Antonio Brown, as he simply carried the Steelers to a 38-35 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Ben Roethlisberger went down with an injury, but it didn't matter, even with Landry Jones in at quarterback. Brown caught 17 passes on the day, for 284 receiving yards. Oh yeah, and he added in 22 rushing yards, so he finished with 306 yards from scrimmage.
Do you guys agree with the list? Are there any notable games that should be included? Let us know what you think were the five most memorable games at Heinz Field in the comment section below!
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