PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – We are familiar with the three divisional teams that account for six of the games on the 2024 schedule. How the Steelers have done against the 11 other opponents historically and over the last three matchups.
Atlanta road Sept. 8, 1p (Steelers lead series 15-2-1)
The opportunity for Arthur Smith to coach against the team that fired him after three years. One of the most memorable matchups, neither team won, a 34-34 tie in 2002 as Michael Vick tied the game on an 11-yard run with 42 seconds left.
Recent 3 matchups
• W, 19-16 at Atlanta in 2022-Najee Harris rushed for 86 yards. Connor Heyward caught at TD and Cameron Heyward had a sack
• W, 41-17 at home in 2018-James Conner rushed for 110 yards and 2 TD, Ben Roethlisberger threw 3 TD (2 to Antonio Brown). TJ Watt-3 sacks
• W, 27-20 at Atlanta in 2014-William Gay had a 52-yard interception return, Roethlisberger 360 passing yards
Denver road, Sept. 15, 4:25p (Broncos lead series 20-13-1)
Ben Roethlisberger had a monster game in the AFC Championship in 2006 and Tim Tebow had the NFL game of his career in a Wild Card game in 2012. It’s the third meeting in the last five seasons as Russell Wilson faces the team paying him most of his money this season.
Recent 3 matchups
• W, 27-19 at home in 2021-Najee Harris rushed for 122 yards and a TD and Roethlisberger threw a couple of TDs. Chase Claypool had 5 catches for 130 yards, Courtland Sutton 7 receptions for 120 yards. James Pierre had an interception.
• W, 26-21 at home in 2020-Roethlisberger had 2 TDs and 311 yards passing and James Conner rushed for 106 yards. Derek Watt had a safety.
• L, 24-17 at Denver in 2018-Roethlisberger threw for 462 yards including a 97-yarder to JuJu Smith-Schuster. Alejandro Villanueva caught a TD from kicker Chris Boswell.
Los Angeles Chargers home, Sept. 22, 1p (Steelers lead series 24-11)
It was the playoff game the heavy underdog San Diego Chargers won in 1995 that stands out in this series. Jim Harbaugh takes over as head coach with high expectations of competing with the Chiefs in the AFC West.
Recent 3 matchups
• L, 41-37 at LA in 2021-Steelers fought back from 14 down in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but the Chargers won it on a 53-yard pass from Justin Herbert to Mike Williams with 2:09 to play. Roethlisberger had 3 TDs. Herbert threw for 382 yards and rushed for 90 yards.
• W, 24-17 at LA in 2019-Steelers led 24-0 in 4th, Duck Hodges threw for 132 yards and a TD and Benny Snell rushed for 75 yards as James Conner had 78 yards receiving. Devin Bush had an interception and led with seven tackles
• L, 33-30 at home in 2018-lost on field goal as time expired after Roethlisberger threw a 10-yard TD to Jaylen Samuels with 4:10 left. Keenan Allen had 14 catches for 148 yards, Antonio Brown 10 for 154 yards, both with touchdowns.
Indianapolis road, Sept. 29, 1p (Steelers lead series 27-7)
It is a common opponent, meeting eight times since 2014. The Steelers upset of Peyton Manning and the Colts in the divisional round in 2006 the most memorial for many reasons featuring the Ben Roethlisberger game-saving tackle. It will be the first matchup against quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Recent 3 matchups
• L, 30-13 at Indy in 2023-it was Mitch Trubisky’s final Steelers game throwing a pair of interceptions. Gardner Minshew threw 3 TD & Trey Sermon rushed for 88 yards as it broke the Steelers 8-game winning streak vs the Colts
• W, 24-17 at Indy in 2022-Benny Snell rushed for 62 yards and the game-winning touchdown and Najee Harris had a rushing score. Alex Highsmith & TJ Watt forced fumbles.
• W, 28-24 at home in 2020-Ben Roethlisberger threw a 25-yard TD to JuJu Smith-Schuster for the go-ahead score in the 4th quarter. Ben threw for 341 yards and 3 TDs. TJ Watt had 2 sacks and a forced fumble.
Dallas Cowboys home, Oct. 6, 8:20p (Dallas leads series 17-16)
They’ve played each other in three memorable Super Bowls with the Steelers winning a pair of them. Greenfield native Mike McCarthy also coached against the Steelers in another Super Bowl, leading Green Bay to a victory.
Recent three matchups
· W, 24-19 at Dallas in 2020-Roethlisberger to Eric Ebron for the game-winning touchdown with 2:14 to play
· L, 35-30 home in 2016-Ezekiel Elliott, who returns to the Cowboys, ran for a 32-yard TD with nine seconds left after Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown to tie the game with 42 seconds left.
· L, 27-24 at Dallas in 2012-Roethlisberger 339 passing yards, 2 TD, Isaac Redman leading rusher with nine carries for 22 yards. Tony Romo threw for 341 yds & 2 TD
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Las Vegas road, Oct. 13, 4:05p (Raiders lead series 17-15)
Some of the most improbable plays happened in this series from the Immaculate Reception to QB Terrelle Pryor rushing 93 yards for a touchdown. Six times they met in the postseason with the teams splitting those games.
Recent 3 matchups
• W, 23-18 at LV in 2023-Kenny Pickett had a 72-yard TD to Calvin Austin and the Steelers intercepted Jimmy Garoppolo 3 times as Davante Adams had 13 receptions for 172 yards. TJ Watt had 2 sacks
• W, 13-10 at home in 2022-a freezing Christmas Eve game where the team memorialized Franco Harris, Pickett finished a game-winning drive throwing a 14-yard TD to George Pickens with 36 seconds left.
• L, 26-17 at home in 2021-Derek Carr threw for 382 yards and 2 TD, Robert Spillane & Joe Schobert combined for 22 tackles
New York Jets home, Oct. 20, 8:20p (Steelers lead series 20-7)
Aaron Rodgers returns at quarterback as New York has won three of the last four. The teams have met twice in the playoffs, both Steelers wins, once an overtime victory, the other in the 2011 AFC Championship game.
Recent 3 matchups
• L, 24-20 at home in 2022-Steelers blew 10-point, 4th qtr. lead as Zach Wilson led a comeback (252 yards passing) and Breece Hall ran it in from two-yards out with 16 seconds left to clinch it. Kenny Pickett replaced a benched Mitch Trubisky and threw 3 interceptions.
• L, 16-10 at NY in 2019-Duck Hodges pulled after throwing 2 interceptions, Steelers rushed for 75 total yards. Le’Veon Bell ran for 72 yards for Jets.
• W, 31-13 at home in 2016-Sammie Coates caught 2 of Ben Roethlisberger’s 4 TDs as Ben threw for 380 yards. Vince Williams had 9 tackles and a sack.
New York Giants home, Oct. 28, 8:15p (NY leads series 44-31-3)
They’ve only met 6 times this century, but between 1933 and 1969 they nearly played twice a year, every season. Steelers have won four of the last five with three of those decided by one score.
Recent 3 matchups
• W, 26-16 at NY in 2020-Ben Roethlisberger threw 3 TD passes-a pair to JuJu Smith-Schuster, Benny Snell rushed for 113 yards in the season opener. TJ Watt and Cam Heyward had interceptions against Daniel Jones.
• W, 24-14 at home in 2016-LeVeon Bell rushed for 118 yards & had 64 yards receiving, Roethlisberger threw 2 TD. Sean Davis and Lawrence Timmons had interceptions.
• W, 24-20 at NY in 2012-Steelers trailed by 10 in the 4th quarter, a Roethlisberger TD pass to Mike Wallace and Isaac Redman 1-yard run won it. Redman rushed for 147 yards and the defense held Eli Manning to 125 yards passing and an interception by Ike Taylor.
Washington road, Nov. 10, 1p (Commanders lead series 43-33-3)
Steelers six-game winning streak broken by the Commanders in 2020. The first three years of the series the Washington franchise was in Boston and the Steelers were called the Pirates.
Recent 3 matchups
• L, 23-17 at home in 2020-Commanders scored 13 points in the 4th quarter, Steelers scored first 14 points on Ben Roethlisberger TDs. Steelers rushed for 21 yards. Cole Holcomb had 9 tackles for Washington.
• W, 38-16 at Washington in 2016-DeAngelo Williams rushed for 143 yards, 3 TDs from Roethlisberger-2 to Antonio Brown, Eli Rogers with the other TD. Ryan Shazier with an interception
• W, 27-12 at home in 2012-Roethlisberger threw 3 TDs and Jonathan Dwyer rushed for 107 yards. Defense held Robert Griffin III to 177 passing yards, Will Allen and Ryan Clark combined for 14 tackles.
Philadelphia road, Dec. 15, 4:25p (Eagles lead series 49-29-3)
A yearly or bi-yearly opponent prior to 1970, Steelers have won only four of the last dozen matchups. In the last three games, the Eagles have scored 98 points.
Recent 3 matchups
• L, 35-13 at Philly in 2022-Jalen Hurts threw 4 TDs, 3 to AJ Brown, and the only Steelers passing touchdown was by Chase Claypool. Woodland Hills HS graduate Miles Sanders rushed for 78 yards.
• W, 39-29 at home in 2020-Ben Roethlisberger threw 3 TDs to Chase Claypool. Steven Nelson intercepted Carson Wentz twice. Sanders had 74-yard TD run
• L, 34-3 at Philly in 2016-Steelers held to 251 total yards as Carson Wentz threw for 301 yards and 2 TDs.
Kansas City home, Dec. 25, 1p (Steelers lead series 23-14)
What once was a series dominated by the Steelers, the Chiefs have won the last three games including Ben Roethlisberger’s final game in a playoff matchup in 2022.
Recent 3 matchups
· L, 42-21 at KC in Wild Card game in 2022-Steelers led this game after a TJ Watt 26-yard fumble return TD, Patrick Mahomes would control the rest throwing for 404 yards and 5 TD
· L, 36-10 at KC in 2021-Chiefs led 30-0 as Mahomes threw 3 TD, 2 to Byron Pringle. Harris rushed for 93 yards.