The 1996 season was an injury plagued one for the Steelers. Regular starters Lloyd, Bruener, Lake, Pegram, Thigpen, Mills, Stai, Brown, Gildon, and others missed at least one game or more last season (Lloyd and Seals missed the entire season). The defense was as sharp as ever, but the offense sputtered under QB Mike Tomczack (right), especially late in the season. The only bright spots on the offense were RB Jerome Bettis and WR Charles Johnson, who each had career seasons. A lot of credit must also be given to the great offensive line, who paved the way for Bettis. The Steelers went 10-6 in the regular season and won their 4th AFC central title in the last five years. After a convincing home playoff win vs. the Colts, the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs at New England, missing out on the opportunity to host their third consecutive AFC championship game. Thiugh they did not return to the Super Bowl, the Steelers had a pretty good season, especially at 3 Rivers, where they went 8-1.

1996 RESULTS AND SUMMARIES

• Lloyd: out for season
• QB situation still unresolved

• Bettis: 21 rushes, 115 yds.
• Tomczack: 18-25, 2 td, 1 int

• Bettis: 20 rushes, 133 yds.
• Defense: 4 interceptions; the Bills just can't beat us

• Tomczack: 15-28, 202 yds, 2 td
• Oilers: remian one of the dirtiest teams in football (2 ejections)

• Tomczack: 20-32, 338 yds
• Bettis: 103 yds, TD

• C. Brown: 4.5 sacks, int
• Bettis: 28 rushes, 109 yds

• Steelers: blew 13-9 lead in late 4th quarter
• CJ: 5 catches, 155 yds, TD

• Tomczack: 22-27, 214 yds, TD
• Bettis: 26 rushes, 126 yds, TD
• N. Johnson wins game as time expires

• Bettis: 19 rushes, 129 yds vs. former team
• Pegram: 91 yd kickoff return TD

• stupid mistake #1: Bengals kickoff return TD with 5 seconds in half
• stupid mistake #2: Gildon jumps on an already knocked-down Jeff Blake, drawing a 15 yd, 3rd down penalty
• stupid mistake #3: Tomczack throws 3 int's on final 3 possesions of the game

• Defense: 6 sacks, 2 int's, 2 fumble rec.
• Lake: 85 yard fumble return for a TD

• Bettis: 27 rushes, 119 yds
• Tomczack to Mills: 20 yd TD with 2:10 left in game

• Steelers: finish 0-4 vs. road division
• Former Steeler Bam "Cocaine" Morris gains 100 yds

• Pegram: 17 rushes, 83 yds
• Steelers win 3rd straight division title

• 49ers up 16-0 after first five minutes of game
• Pegram: 20 rushes, 103 yds

• Stewart: NFL record 80 yard TD run (QB record)
• Meaningless game for Steelers, who put in all their backups

• Colts lose rematch of last year's championship game
• Kordell wasted the Colts defense to hold the lead

• Pats defense: totally shut down Steelers in the fog
• Former Pitt star Curtis Martin: 78 yd TD

96 STARTING ROSTER