The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an off-season like none other in franchise history. They have now had three of the biggest turnovers the team has faced in almost 20 years. The first was franchise and future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger retiring after 18 years with the team. The second was the promotion of general manager, Omar Khan after Kevin Colbert decided to step down. The third happened on Monday when the team and The Kraft Heinz Company failed to reach an agreement and the sponsorship rights were now given to Acrisure. The stadium has transitioned from Heinz Field to Acrisure Stadium.
This is a big change, as the team has played at the stadium under Heinz Field since 2001. There has been so many great moments at this field that it’s hard to count. I took the time to think about it, and narrowed down the top 5 playoff moments in Heinz Field history:
5. 2016 - Divisional Game vs Miami Dolphins; Antonio Brown's First Playoff Game
Jan 8, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) carries the ball past Miami Dolphins free safety Bacarri Rambo (30) to score a touchdown during the first half in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
This was monumental. Due to injury, the Killer B’s consisting of Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell (and technically Chris Boswell), had never played together in a playoff game. This was a memorable one, as all three had big games. Roethlisberger found Brown for touchdown strikes of 50 and 62 yards in the first quarter to get out ahead to an early 14-0 lead. From there, Bell took over, compiling 167 yards rushing (franchise record at the time, broken the following week again by Bell) and 2 touchdowns of his own. It was a culmination that Steeler fans had been waiting for for almost three years. The defense also chipped in 3 turnovers and 5 sacks. They went on to win the game 30-12.
Highlights can be seen here: https://youtu.be/H1U48LddfK0
4. 2002 - Renegade Debut Fuels Steelers Historic Wild Card Playoff Comeback vs Cleveland Browns
This was the second ever playoff game at Heinz Field. The Steelers found themselves facing their division rival Cleveland Browns in their new home stadium. It did not start well at all for the Steelers. They found themselves down 17-7 going into halftime and 24-7 halfway through the third quarter. However, Tommy "Gun" Maddox engineered the greatest comeback in franchise history, with a little help from Steeler Nation’s favorite pump up song by Styx for the first time ever.
They fought their way back and with 10 minutes left were down 33-21. They would go on to score back to back unanswered touchdowns, the last one coming off a Chris Fuamatu-Ma'Afala 3-yard rush with 0:54 seconds left. They followed this up with a successful two-point conversion attempt. This would be enough, and the Steelers went on to win 36-33. It remains the greatest playoff comeback in franchise history.
Highlights can be seen here: https://youtu.be/DgUMyF1p50I
3. 2010 - Divisional Round Comeback vs Baltimore Ravens
This game had all the ingredients for a classic showdown between the Steelers and their fiercest rival, the Baltimore Ravens. This was a smash mouth game that saw the Steelers get off to a 7-0 lead early. However, the Ravens got rolling, and before they knew it, the Steelers were in a 21-7 deficit at halftime.
This would not stand. The Steelers came blazing back and tied the game in the third quarter off touchdown tosses from Roethlisberger to Heath Miller and Hines Ward. With the game tied late in the fourth quarter, the biggest play of the game would come on 3rd and 19 when then rookie Antonio Brown would make an unbelievable 58-yard catch downfield against his own helmet. This would set up Rashard Mendenhall's go-ahead touchdown that was the nail in the coffin for the Ravens. The Steelers won 31-24 and advanced to their third AFC Championship game in five years.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Antonio Brown (84) makes a tremendous catch against the Baltimore Ravens in 2010 at Heinz Field. (PC: Reddit)
Highlights can be seen here: https://youtu.be/ANn1mUWm2dE
2. 2010 - AFC Championship Game vs New York Jets
The Steelers found themselves in their third conference championship since 2005. This was the third different opponent they had faced thus far in the form of the New York Jets, who were in their second consecutive championship Sunday appearance. The Steelers started the game red hot, scoring four times without an answer from the Jets until there were :09 seconds left in the first half. However, the Jets would come storming back in the second half.
They would force an interception and safety against Roethlisberger, and before they knew it, the Steelers lead had vanished from 24-3 t0 24-19. With their backs against the wall and 2:56 left on the board, the Steelers mixed ground and pound with a couple clutch catches from Heath Miller and Antonio Brown that would allow them to run out the clock and secure a trip to Super Bowl XLV. It was one that had Steelers fans' heart rate up a few, or multiple, notches.
Highlights can be seen here: https://youtu.be/yscwYcprcUo
1. 2008 - No. 43 Sends the Steelers to Super Bowl XLIII in AFC Championship Game vs Baltimore Ravens
I don't think this comes a surprise to anyone. The greatest playoff moment in Heinz Field history would come against the Steelers biggest rival and from one of the most storied and beloved players in team history.
As per usual, the game was low scoring, physical, and exciting. The Steelers got out early on the Ravens thanks to a trio of Jeff Reed field goals and an off script 65-yard touchdown from Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes. Going into the fourth quarter, the Steelers commanded a 16-7 lead, but would see that shrink to 16-14 with 9:29 left in the game. The next drive, the number one defense in the league would make a statement.
On 3rd and 13, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco dropped back and fired a pass to Derek Mason. Mason would not catch the ball, Steelers safety and legend Troy Polamalu would. He proceeded to take it 40 yards to the end zone, and sealed the Steelers trip to Super Bowl XLIII. The crowd was deafening, and the team knew where the game was likely heading. It was a truly magical moment, and the fact that Polamalu was the one to deliver it was that much sweeter.
Former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu celebrating his game sealing pick 6 in 2008 AFCCG (PC: Steelcurtainrising.com)
Highlights can be seen here: https://youtu.be/mgqhZQPerVs
Honorable Mention: 2008 - Divisional Game vs San Diego Chargers
This was a Steelers playoff classic. 25 degrees. Snow. Towels waving. All the makings of a great game. The Steelers were slightly shell shocked when the San Diego Chargers scored on a first drive touchdown from Philip Rivers to Vincent Jackson. The Steelers responded with a Santonio Holmes punt return touchdown. The first half was hard fought but the Steelers would take a 14-10 lead into halftime and never looked back. They would advance to the AFC Championship game, 35-24.
Highlights can be seen here: https://youtu.be/MVPlPtUo_lw
That wraps it up for my list. It is a crazy moment to realize the team will no longer be playing at what was known as Heinz Field. However, the memories they made make it easy to look back and smile. There have been truly historic moments there, and I look forward to the ones the team will make under the newly named, Acrisure Stadium.
What are some of your favorite moments at Heinz Field? Let us know in the comment section below!
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