vs. Oakland Raiders
December 3, 2000

The 2000 season marked the end of an era. At the end of that season, Three Rivers Stadium would be torn down and the Steelers would move into their new stadium across the street. Three Rivers held so many treasured memories. After all, it was in that building that the Steelers built the greatest team in NFL history during the 1970's. During that decade, many of the most memorable games came against the Oakland Raiders, including the Immaculate Reception and the Steelers second AFC championship. The rivalry was bitter during those years and often featured more controversy than great football.

So it was only fitting that this same franchise would come to Three Rivers one final time. It was late in the season and this would be the second to last game ever played at the hallowed stadium. The Raiders owned the NFL's best record at the time while the Steelers slim playoff hopes were fading fast. Oakland was of course the heavy favorite, and they proved it in the first half by jumping out to a 17-7 lead.

Steelers QB Kordell Stewart, who was in the middle of an amazing comeback year, hurt his knee early on and appeared to be finished for the afternoon, but his surprise return in the 3rd quarter sparked a Steelers comeback. It is well-known that Stewart had what could best be described as a "rocky" relationship with the fans, but he received nothing but support during this game. After getting a huge ovation upon his return, Stewart made one of the greatest plays of his career. On a 2nd and 16 play, he got hit, fumbled the ball, picked it up, and ran 17 yards for the first down. Eventually Stewart and the Steelers would fight back to take a late 21-20 lead, but the Raiders were left with one last chance to pull the game out.

Around that time, all hell broke loose. In one of the most cowardly moves ever, Raiders DL Regan Upshaw spit on Steelers punter Josh Miller. All of a sudden, floods of pent up 70's Raiders hatred came flowing back into Three Rivers. This was still the team of Al Davis. This was still the team that would cheat, play dirty, and do whatever they could get away with in order to "just win, baby".

However, it wasn't just the bitterness of the rivalry that echoed that day. The Raiders had lost key games during the 70's which they deemed to be unfair. They claimed the Immaculate Reception should not have counted. They claimed the Steelers iced the field for the 1975 Championship Game. I will give them this much - whenever they went to Three Rivers for a big game, strange things just seemed to happen to them, and this game was no different.

Oakland put together a drive in the final minutes which got them into field goal range when a controversy erupted over downs. Yes, that's right - there was a controversy over what down it was! Oakland QB Rich Gannon threw an incomplete pass on what he and the Raiders thought was 3rd down, but it was actually 4th down, and Gannon had just given up possession (and the game) to the Steelers. Had the Raiders known it was 4th down, they would have sent their fat kicker onto the field to win the game. Oakland was furious - the stadium scoreboard showed 3rd down, but the sticks on the field showed 4th. How could this happen? Well, a review of the previous four plays showed that indeed Oakland had used all four of their downs, but somehow everyone had gotten confused because of a Gannon spike play and subsequent timeout. Fortunately, the refs knew what down it was, and just like that, the game was over. The Ghosts of Three Rivers were in full force that day. It was the 1970's all over again, and indeed a truly fitting sendoff for a football holy place.
Final Score: Steelers 21, Raiders 20

The Aftermath: The Steelers played one more game in Three Rivers before it was torn down, but this was the real finale. The Steelers sent the NFL's best team home a loser, and they did so against the team that probably hated that stadium the most. The Steelers moved into Heinz Field a year later and started great new memories, but Three Rivers got its one last bang.

Personal Memory: I took my camera to the stadium that day because I wanted to capture as many images as I could of Three Rivers before it was gone forever (below was the view from my seat). I really had this sense that it was a historical day in Steelers history, even though it was not officially the last game. I felt so priviledged to be able to experience one last magical ending in that place, and it is a game I'll always remember.

vs. New England Patriots / Philadelphia Eagles
October 31-November 7, 2004

Before the 2004 season started, all the football experts had two teams penciled in as sure-fire Super Bowl picks: the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, the Steelers were coming off a 6-10 season and no one expected anything from them. The season began as expected for the Patriots and Eagles. They both went undefeated for the first two months. But the Steelers surprisingly were right up there with them, winning five or their first six games. Were the Steelers for real? Well, it just so happened that the next two teams on the schedule were the Patriots and Eagles, and both games would be played at Heinz Field. Even the most optimistic of Steelers fans figured that maybe the Steelers could win one of those two games, or at the very least play close games. No one expected what was about to happen.

The New England game was the bigger one of the two. The Patriots were on an NFL record 21 game winning streak, and they got on the board first with an early field goal. But from that point on, it was all Pittsburgh. The Steelers played perhaps the greatest first quarter I have ever seen, shocking the Patriots by putting up 21 unanswered points. Rookie QB Ben Roethlisberger hit Plaxico Burress for two touchdowns, with the defense causing a fumble to set up the second of the two. Then came the moment that put the world champs away - CB Deshea Townsend stepped in front of a Tom Brady pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown. Steelers announcer Bill Hillgrove yelled out, "The Steelers are burying New England!" The Pats never recovered and the Steelers went onto a huge victory.

The following week was no let down. The undefeated Eagles went down almost as quickly as the undefeated Patriots. The Steelers took a dominant 21-3 halftime lead behind a 149 yard effort by Jerome Bettis, who was starting his first game all season. The Eagles looked confused, and when jerkoff WR Terrell Owens was seen yelling at QB Donovan McNabb on the sidelines, it was clear that the Steelers had Philly in complete disarray. Once again, the Steelers easily rolled over one of the NFL's best teams and established themsleves as the team to beat in 2004.
Final Score: Steelers 34, Patriots 20 / Steelers 27, Eagles 3

The Aftermath: The Steelers did not lose the rest of the season and faced a rematch with the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. This time, however, New England was the near-perfect team, and they went on to beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl, just as everyone had predicted. Still, these two games belong high on this list. They were memorable big-game performances over the two best teams in the league, and the fact that the Steelers dominated both weeks made it that much more amazing.

Personal Memory: There were a bunch of Philadelphia fans at Heinz Field for the Eagles game. They were all walking around like dopes chanting E-A-G-L-E-S. It was SO great to see them have to eat it after the Eagles went down so quickly.

2001 AFC Divisional Playoffs
vs. Baltimore Ravens
January 20, 2002

Nothing in sports is better than a great rivalry, and nothing makes for a better rivalry than bitter hatred between two teams and their fans. This is what the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens discovered in 2001. The Ravens were the former Browns and were still owned by that miserable old coot Art Modell, so it was only natural to hate them. But this was a team that REALLY went the extra mile to be despised. Their all-pro middle linebacker stabbed people. Their all-pro running back dealt drugs. Their tight end was a loud-mouthed piece of crap. Their defensive tackle was a fat tub of lard who encouraged Ravens fans to beat up Steelers fans. Their coach was a holier-than-thou, self-proclaimed "genius". And oh yeah - they were also the defending Super Bowl champions. There was nothing that the Steelers wanted more than to dethrone the Ravens.

The Steelers and Ravens fought all year for the last ever AFC Central division tilte. Baltimore took the first game thanks to Steelers kicker Kris Brown and his FIVE missed field goals. Pittsburgh then won a late season game in Baltimore, getting revenge and clinching the division for the Steelers. That was a great game and featured my favorite image of the decade - a shot of The Murderer crying on the sidelines. When the playoffs began, it was inevitable that these two teams would meet again. This time the entire season would be on the line.

The Steelers were out to prove a point that day. Jerome Bettis was a late scratch, but the Steelers hardly lost a step against the supposedly great Ravens defense. RB Amos Zeroue picked up the slack by scoring two first half touchdowns. The real story of the game though was the way the Steelers totally out-physicaled the team who had won a championship based on that exac style of play. The defense dominated Baltimore, not even allowing a first down until late in the 2nd quarter. They came up with huge plays as well, like Brent Alexander's interception of an Elvis Grbac pass in the endzone. Everyone was pushing the Ravens around. FB Dan Kreider pancaked The Murderer! It was complete and total domination. Even Shannon Sharpe had to humble himself after the game, saying "As much as it pains me to say this, they have a better team than we do." The Steelers took the game and took ownership of this fierce rivalry.
Final Score: Steelers 27, Ravens 10

The Aftermath: The Steelers would fall short of the Super Bowl by losing the AFC Championship Game the following week. To this day, there is no love lost between these two teams.

Personal Memory: In my preview of the game on this web site, I predicted that Ravens QB Elvis Grbac would throw an interception on the first play of the game, and it actually happened! Ok, it wasn't the very first play, but it was his first pass. Definitely one of my finest ever moments in forecasting.

2004 AFC Divisional Playoffs
vs. New York Jets
January 15, 2005

In 2004, the Steelers had their greatest regular season ever, becoming the first AFC team to go 15-1. Expectations were high as the playoffs began, but there was also a sense of concern among Steelers fans. The AFC featured four teams - the Steelers, Patriots, Colts, and Chargers - who were arguable better than ANY of the NFC playoff teams. The Steelers would most likely face a tough game against the Chargers in the divisional playoff round.

Meanwhile, the New York Jets had strung together a decent 10-win season. However, no one really took New York seriously. They had had beaten mostly lesser teams, and anytime they played one of the AFC elite teams, they had not fared too well. To make matters worse, they had to get help just to make the playoffs after blowing a must-win game in St. Louis on the final day of the regular season (ironically, that help came from the Steelers, who beat the Bills in the final game of the season, eliminatng Buffalo and putting New York into the post-season).

To the suprise of everyone, New York defeated San Diego in the AFC Wild Card round, thanks to kicker Doug Brien's overtime field goal. It would be the Jets - who two weeks earlier were considered DOA - coming to Pittsburgh for the Divisional playoffs, and not the Chargers. They had come to Pittsburgh in December of that season and hung with the Steelers for three quarters before Pittsburgh finally put them away in the 4th, so they knew they had a chance.

The Steelers jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the game but the Jets came back. They took the lead in the 3rd quarter when Ben Roethlisberger threw an awful sideline pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Eventually, the Steelers came back and tied the game, but the Jets began putting together a potential game-winning drive in the final minutes of the 4th quarter. They got into field goal range and as the two-minute warning hit, kicker Doug Brien lined up for his chance to put New York ahead. Brien's kick seemed accurate, but the ball struck the bottom corner of the crossbar. The kick had missed by just a few inches and the Steelers had new life.

Everyone at Heinz Field felt a sense of relief. No one could believe the game was that close to begin with, and it looked like the Steelers were going to have to mount a late drive just to be able to tie it back up. When Brien missed, the game remained tied and the Steelers had two minutes to work with, not to mention good field position. They would most likely be able to get in range for a Jeff Reed game-winner, and the worst-case scenario would be overtime.

However, on the Steelers first play after the missed field goal, something absolutely horrific happened. Roethlisberger overthrew WR Plaxico Burress by a good ten yards, and the ball landed right in the arms of a Jets defensive back. Now the Jets had the ball back with a second chance to win it. They quickly got back into field goal range, but head coach Herm Edwards got a bit too conservative, opting not to take any more chances and allowing the clock to run down to 4 seconds for Brien to attempt another field goal. Edwards figured that there was no way Brien was going to miss again, and neither did many of us fans, who were about to see a dream season go in the tank. This time Brien was even closer, and since he had only missed by inches before, this was going to be a sure thing. Brien kicked the ball, and it started to sail to the left. The Steelers players raised their arms in the air - the kick was no good! Brien missed again!! It was one of the most unbelievable moments I have ever witnessed. How could he have again?

In overtime, the Steelers got their act together and put together a sensational drive which featured some huge 3rd down conversions. Soon they were in range for their own game-winning field goal attempt, and Jeff Reed did what his Jets counterpart could not. Reed drilled the field goal through the goal posts and gave the Steelers an astonishingvictory.
Final Score: Steelers 20, Jets 17 (OT)

The Aftermath: The Steelers played more uneven football the following week in the AFC Championship Game, but that time they did not have the good fortune of missed field goals on their side. The Patriots blew out the Steelers en route to their third title in four years. As for the Jets, they were left to wonder "what if"? One thing was certain - the Jets saw to it that Doug Brien would never have a chance to screw them again. Three months after the game, the Jets used their first draft pick to select a kicker, and then released Brien.

Personal Memory: I had a discussion with someone before the game about whether or not it does any good to pray for your team to win. My position was that God doesn't get involved in football games. However, when Brien lined up for that second field goal, I stared at the dark night sky above Heinz Field and pleaded with the Lord to somehow help the Steelers overcome this. When he missed, I just collapsed in my seat with my head in my hands. I could not believe what had just happened. Whether that was an answer to my prayer or not, it was truly a miracle.

2002 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
vs. Cleveland Browns
January 5, 2003

As the Steelers prepared to open the 2002 playoffs, their fans had an uneasy feeling. The team had a bumpy season full of great games and horrible losses. Perhaps the only reason they made it into the post-season was the pitiful play of the rest of the AFC North. The Steelers clinched the division title after winning their ninth game, which is a rarity in today's balanced and highly comptetive NFL. But even though the division was bad, there was another team who was slowly putting together some late season wins, and thanks to a few results going their way in the last week of the season, found themsleves in an unexpected position of being the 3rd and final wild card team in the AFC. That team was none other than the Steelers oldest rival - the Cleveland Browns. The Browns had faced a rough time since returning to the league in 1999, but head coach Butch Davis led the overachieving 2002 Browns into Pittsburgh for a first round playoff game against the hated Steelers, and Davis knew that in the post-season, anything can happen.

The primary reason for the Steelers struggles all season was the dreadful play of their defense. The biggest weakness in the unit was by far in the defensive backfield, which allowed one big play after another. In fact, in the season's final three games, the defense would give up more than 30 points each time. It was uncharacteristic of Pittsburgh football. This was the city of the Steel Curtain and Blitzburgh. Poor defense is not something we tolerate here! The one thing that made the Steelers success possible was the rejuvinated play of QB Tommy Maddox, whose long strange trip from #1 draft pick, to insurance salesman, to the Arena League/XFL, to starting Steelers quarterback was a story brimming with drama. Still, as most true football fans know, defense is what wins championships. Could the Steelers really go deep into the playoffs without it? That was the backdrop for a snowy January day at Heinz Field.

The Steelers defense came out even flatter than usual. QB Kelly Holcomb was starting for Cleveland in place of an injured Tim Couch, and Holcomb was about to play the game of his life. On Cleveland's first possession, he hit WR Kevin Johnson for an 83 yard pass play that set up a short touchdown run. Just a few minutes later, Holcomb threw a 32 yards TD pass to WR Dennis Northcut. The Steelers were shell-shocked. The defense was in complete disarray, especially CB Hank Poteat, who looked like a guy wondering around aimlessly in the middle of a busy intersection trying to dodge cars. The ONLY thing that even kept the Steelers close in the first half was a dazzling 66 yard punt return touchdown by Antwaan Randle El. Even the high-powered offense was ineffective. Maddox, who was callously referred to as "Tommy Turnover" early in his career, resurrected those past ghosts by throwing two interceptions.

Cleveland held a solid 17-7 lead at halftime, but in the 3rd quarter, they really started to open things up. Holcomb fired touchdown pass #3 to give the Browns a 17-point lead. The Steelers offense finally got going and scored another touchdown to cut it down to a 10-point game again, but the defense still could not stop Holcomb, who minutes later got the Browns into field goal range with a 43 yard bomb over the head of safety Lee Flowers, making it 27-14 Cleveland. By this point the game had become a shootout. Maddox answered with a touchdown pass to TE Jerame Tuman, but once again the defense couldn't help out. Holcomb threw a fourth touchdown pass, and although Cleveland's two-point conversion attempt failed, they still held a commanding 33-21 lead with time ticking away in the 4th quarter. All hope seemed lost for the 2002 season, especially with the defense having given up early in the afternoon.

Tommy Maddox remained determined however. Perhaps it was because he had cleared so many hurdles just to be in that position. He led the Steelers on a 77 yard touchdown drive, and with three minutes remaining in the game, the Steelers trailed 33-28. Cleveland got the ball back with a chance to run down the clock. Davis decided to pass as he had done all day, and why not? The Steelers couldn't stop it anyway. But on 3rd down, Northcutt dropped a pass that would have given Cleveland a first down and potentially the win. With new life, the Steelers offense began marching down the field. Maddox hit Plaxico Burress on long pass plays of 24 and 17 yards, and then found Hines Ward at the 3 yard line. That set up a draw play handoff to RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, who ran into the endzone to give Pittsburgh the lead with 58 seconds left on the clock! A trick play two-point conversion gave the Steelers a more comfortable 36-33 lead, but the Browns still had some time left to work with. Holcomb drove his team past midfield, but WR Andre King was unable to get out of bound with just seconds left, and the clock expired on Cleveland and their season.

This was probably the most improbable victory since the Immaculate Reception. The fact that it happened against the Browns just adds to this game's glorious legend. The Steelers were completely finsished at several points during the game, yet they somehow found a way to claw their way back. It was an inspired performance by Maddox and the offense - a thrilling comeback that can rightfully be called THE game of the decade.
Final Score: Steelers 36, Browns 33

The Aftermath: The Steelers went to Tennessee for the next round of the playoffs, but this time the awful defensive play was too much to overcome. For the Browns (and for all of Cleveland), this loss was a bitter pill to swallow. Defensive coordinator Foge Fazio, who had many previous disparaging moments in Pittsburgh as coach of Pitt in the 1980's, was so fed up with Butch Davis' instistence on playing prevent defense with the lead that he quit the following day. Browns fans everywhere criticized Northcutt, Davis, and everyone else involved for blowing a 17- point playoff lead to the team they hated the most. To this day, Cleveland have yet to fully recover.

Personal Memory: This was by far the best game I have ever witnessed in person. I remember sitting with my brother in the 4th quarter starting to talk about the Steelers prospects for the following season. I had given up on them, but I stuck around anyway (unlike thousands of other fans who regrettably filtered out of the gates before the Steelers made their remarkable comeback). When Fu scored that touchdown with 58 seconds left, the stadium erupted in a fit of pandemonium unlike anything I have ever seen. Grown men were hugging strangers next to them. It was a great moment that I will never forget.

Observation: One thing that really stuck out to me when I compiled the best/worst lists was the fact that three games against the Cleveland Browns made the cut, and they were ranked quite highly too. The reason I thought this was interesting is because I often hear people say how the Steelers and Browns really don't have a rivalry anymore. People say the "real" Browns are now the Baltimore Ravens, so that is the team we have the big rivalry with. While the Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry is a great one, I think this list proves that Pittsburgh-Cleveland isn't quite as dead as people think it is.

• vs. Washington (2000)....W 24-3: Steelers destroy Dan Snyder's New York Yankees attempt to close out Three Rivers Stadium
• at Baltimore (2001)....W 26-21: features the decade's best image - The Murderer crying on the sidelines
• at Jacksonville (2004)....W 17-16: tremendous battle that comes down to the final seconds, as Jeff Reed wins it for the Steelers
• vs. Tennessee (2001)....W 34-7: more Monday night magic for Bill Cowher; also one of the two times we beat the Titans in the past 7 years