2005 Pittsburgh Steelers season

The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 73rd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). It was the 6th season under the leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the 14th under head coach Bill Cowher. The Steelers failed to improve upon their 15–1 record from 2004 and in 2005, the Steelers struggled. At one point, they were 7–5 and in danger of missing the playoffs but rose to defeat the Chicago Bears on December 11 and started a four-game win streak to finish the season at 11–5.

2005 Pittsburgh Steelers season
OwnerThe Rooney Family
General managerKevin Colbert
Head coachBill Cowher
Home fieldHeinz Field
Results
Record11–5
Division place2nd AFC North
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(at Bengals) 31–17
Won Divisional Playoffs
(at Colts) 21–18
Won AFC Championship
(at Broncos) 34–17
Won Super Bowl XL
(vs. Seahawks) 21–10
Pro Bowlers
5
AP All-Pros
3
Team MVPCasey Hampton
Hines Ward
Team ROYHeath Miller
Defending champions the New England Patriots at the eventual Super Bowl winners the Steelers, September 25, 2005

The Steelers qualified for the playoffs as a wild-card team as the #6 seed and became just the second team ever (and the first in 20 years) to win three games on the road after they beat the #3 seed Cincinnati Bengals (11–5),[1] the top-seeded Indianapolis Colts (14–2),[2] and the #2 seed Denver Broncos (13–3) to become the American Football Conference representative in Super Bowl XL.[3][4] They defeated the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL to secure their league-tying fifth Super Bowl title.[5][6] In doing so, they also became the only team at the time since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to win a Super Bowl without playing a single home playoff game; though the New York Giants would repeat the feat two years later.[7]

Personnel

Staff
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers staff
Front office
  • Chairman – Daniel M. Rooney
  • President – Arthur J. Rooney II
  • Vice president – John R. McGinley
  • Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
  • Administration advisor – Chuck Noll
  • Director of business – Mark Hart
  • Controller – Jim Ellenberger
  • Human relations/office coordinator – Geraldine Glenn
  • Business operations coordinator – Omar Khan
  • Accounting manager – Jodie Spagnolli
  • Communications coordinator – Dave Lockett
  • Public relations/media manager – Burt Lauten
  • Community relations manager – Michele Rosenthal
  • Information technology administrator – Scott Phelps
  • Marketing and merchandising
  • Director of marketing – Tony Quatrini
  • Marketing coordinator – Rick Giugliano
  • Marketing manager – John Wodarek
  • Producer/broadcasting manager – Rick Fairbend
  • Broadcasting assistant – Pete Gergely
  • Marketing/community relations manager – Lynne Molyneaux
  • Marketing assistant – John Simpson
  • Marketing assistant – Mike Marchinsky
  • Ticket operations
  • Ticket manager – Ben Lentz
  • Season ticket assistant – Libby Patcher
  • Football operations
  • Director of football operations – Kevin Colbert
  • College scouting coordinator – Ron Hughes
  • Pro scouting coordinator – Doug Whaley
  • Special assistant/pro and college personnel – Joe Greene
  • Pro/college scout – Phil Kreidler
  • College scout – Mark Gorscak
  • College scout – Kelvin Fisher
  • College scout – Bruce McNorton
  • College scout – Dan Rooney
  • College personnel – Bill Nunn
  • BLESTO Scout – David Petett

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Conditioning coach – Chet Fuhrman
  • Conditioning assistant – Marcel Pastoor
  • Medical staff
  • Physician, orthopedic – Dr. James P. Bradley
  • Ophthalmologist – Dr. Francis Mah
  • Neurological surgery consultant – Dr. Joseph Maroon
  • Physician, M.D. – Dr. Richard Rydze
  • Physician, consultant – Dr. Abraham J. Twerski
  • Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates
  • Training staff
  • Head athletic trainer – John Norwig
  • Assistant athletic trainer – Ryan Grove
  • Assistant athletic trainer – Ariko Iso
  • Football staff
  • Player development – Raymond Jackson
  • Equipment manager - Rodgers Freyvogel
  • Field manager – Rich Baker
  • Field/equipment assistant – Kalvin Jones
  • Video coordinator – Bob McCartney
  • Video assistant – Andy Lizanich
  • Video assistant – Rob Brakel
  • Photographer – Mike Fabus

[8]

Notable additions include Heath Miller and Nate Washington.

Roster
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
  • 33 Russell Stuvaints S (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad

[9] [10] [11] [12]
Rookies in italics
 53 active, 1 inactive, 8 practice squad

2005 NFL Draft
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 30 Heath Miller *  TE Virginia *
2 62 Bryant McFadden  CB Florida State
3 93 Trai Essex  T Northwestern
4 131 Fred Gibson  WR Georgia
5 166 Rian Wallace  ILB Temple
6 204 Chris Kemoeatu  G Utah
7 207 Shaun Nua  NT BYU
7 244 Noah Herron  RB Northwestern
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Preseason

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 15 Philadelphia Eagles W 38–31 1–0 Heinz Field Recap
2 August 20 Miami Dolphins W 17–3 2–0 Heinz Field Recap
3 August 26 at Washington Redskins L 10–17 2–1 FedExField Recap
4 September 1 at Carolina Panthers W 21–17 3–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 11 Tennessee Titans W 34–7 1–0 Heinz Field Recap
2 September 18 at Houston Texans W 27–7 2–0 Reliant Stadium Recap
3 September 25 New England Patriots L 20–23 2–1 Heinz Field Recap
4 Bye
5 October 10 at San Diego Chargers W 24–22 3–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
6 October 16 Jacksonville Jaguars L 17–23 (OT) 3–2 Heinz Field Recap
7 October 23 at Cincinnati Bengals W 27–13 4–2 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
8 October 31 Baltimore Ravens W 20–19 5–2 Heinz Field Recap
9 November 6 at Green Bay Packers W 20–10 6–2 Lambeau Field Recap
10 November 13 Cleveland Browns W 34–21 7–2 Heinz Field Recap
11 November 20 at Baltimore Ravens L 13–16 (OT) 7–3 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
12 November 28 at Indianapolis Colts L 7–26 7–4 RCA Dome Recap
13 December 4 Cincinnati Bengals L 31–38 7–5 Heinz Field Recap
14 December 11 Chicago Bears W 21–9 8–5 Heinz Field Recap
15 December 18 at Minnesota Vikings W 18–3 9–5 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap
16 December 24 at Cleveland Browns W 41–0 10–5 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
17 January 1 Detroit Lions W 35–21 11–5 Heinz Field Recap

Week 1 (Sunday September 11, 2005): vs. Tennessee Titans
Alan Faneca blocks for Willie Parker
1 2 3 4 Total
Titans 7 0 0 0 7
Steelers 7 13 14 0 34

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C) (Mostly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 62,931
  • Referee: Gerald Austin
  • TV announcers: (CBS) Kevin Harlan (play by play), Randy Cross (color commentator)

Ben Roethlisberger became the NFL's first quarterback since Trent Green in 2003 to post a perfect (158.3) passer rating, and college backup Willie Parker put up 161 rushing yards and a touchdown in a dazzling NFL debut.

Week 2 (Sunday September 18, 2005): at Houston Texans
1 2 3 4 Total
Steelers 10 10 7 0 27
Texans 0 0 7 0 7

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 95 °F (35 °C) (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 70,742
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers: (CBS) Don Criqui (play by play), Steve Tasker (color commentator)

Pittsburgh strong safety Troy Polamalu led a defensive onslaught with a career-high three of the Steelers' eight sacks, and Willie Parker followed up his outstanding NFL debut with 111 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 carries as the Steelers hammered the Texans.

As the game took place on a hot, humid day, the Texans left the roof of Reliant Stadium open in the hopes that the Steelers' performance would be hampered by their black jerseys. However, the tactic failed and Houston fans were angered by having to sit in sweltering conditions and watch their team lose.

Week 3 (Sunday September 25, 2005): vs. New England Patriots
1 2 3 4 Total
Patriots 7 0 3 13 23
Steelers 10 0 3 7 20

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

New England quarterback Tom Brady led a five-play, 37-yard drive to Adam Vinatieri's game-winning 43-yard field goal with :01 remaining. The drive countered Hines Ward's 4-yard scoring catch that tied the score at 20–20, but left 1:25 for Brady to march the Patriot offense. On the day, Brady completed 31 of 41 passes for 372 yards, with an interception.

Week 5 (Monday October 10, 2005): at San Diego Chargers
1 2 3 4 Total
Steelers 0 14 0 10 24
Chargers 0 7 6 9 22

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Jeff Reed booted a 40-yard field goal with :06 remaining to lift the Steelers to a win, but a play late in the game caused star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to leave with a hyperextended knee and left his availability for the following week in doubt. The hit came from Charger rookie defensive lineman Luis Castillo and forced Roethlisberger to the sideline, and backup Charlie Batch merely handed off to Jerome Bettis three times to set up Reed's kick.

Week 6 (Sunday October 16, 2005): vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
1 2 3 4OT Total
Jaguars 7 3 7 06 23
Steelers 0 14 0 30 17

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Tommy Maddox capped a poor performance by throwing an overtime pass into a crowd of Jaguar defenders, and Rashean Mathis made him pay dearly, intercepting the pass and returning it 41 yards for the game-winning touchdown. Subbing for an injured Ben Roethlisberger (hyperextended knee), Maddox completed just 11 of 28 passes for 154 yards, with a touchdown and three interceptions.

Week 7 (Sunday October 23, 2005): at Cincinnati Bengals
1 2 3 4 Total
Steelers 0 7 17 3 27
Bengals 3 3 0 7 13

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Pittsburgh regrouped following a sloppy first quarter to take an easy win in Cincinnati. After allowing two marches into the Steeler red zone, the defense tightened and gave up only two field goals, then coasted on the heels of two Ben Roethlisberger touchdown strikes and 131 rushing yards from Willie Parker.

Week 8 (Monday October 31, 2005): vs. Baltimore Ravens
1 2 3 4 Total
Ravens 7 3 0 9 19
Steelers 7 3 7 3 20

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C) (Partly Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 64,187
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers: (ABC) Al Michaels (play by play), John Madden (color commentator), Sam Ryan (sideline reporter)

Underachieving against a Ravens team missing defensive standouts Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the Steelers regrouped on the heels of a late 60-yard drive that set up Jeff Reed's game-winning 37-yard field goal with 1:36 remaining. Ben Roethlisberger completed 18 of 30 passes for 177 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception.

Week 9 (Sunday November 6, 2005): at Green Bay Packers
1 2 3 4 Total
Steelers 6 7 0 7 20
Packers 3 0 7 0 10

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

With Charlie Batch starting at quarterback for an injured Ben Roethlisberger (knee), the Steelers capitalized on Packer mistakes – three turnovers – and won despite a lackluster offensive showing. The game's highlight came from Troy Polamalu, whose sack of Brett Favre forced a fumble that Polamalu himself scooped up and returned 77 yards for a second-quarter touchdown.

Week 10 (Sunday November 13, 2005): vs. Cleveland Browns
1 2 3 4 Total
Browns 7 0 0 14 21
Steelers 0 17 7 10 34

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Steelers handled the division-rival Browns despite another serious quarterback injury. Backup Charlie Batch, subbing for Ben Roethlisberger, broke his hand late in the first half and exited. Beleaguered third-stringer Tommy Maddox inherited a 17–7 third-quarter lead and, despite some miscues, cruised to the win. Wide receiver (and college quarterback) Antwaan Randle El completed a 51-yard scoring pass to Hines Ward in the third, making Ward the team's all-time receptions leader (passing Hall of Fame wideout John Stallworth).

Week 11 (Sunday November 20, 2005): at Baltimore Ravens
1 2 3 4OT Total
Steelers 0 6 0 70 13
Ravens 0 13 0 03 16

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

An anemic offensive showing led to a surprising Steeler defeat at the hands of the Ray Lewis-less Ravens. Third-team quarterback Tommy Maddox got the starting nod and completed 19 of 36 passes for 230 yards, with a touchdown and an interception (a bizarre play that caromed off of wideout Hines Ward's swinging foot and was snatched by Terrell Suggs), but the Steelers' inability to handle the Raven pass rush was a serious blow. Maddox was sacked six times and under nearly constant duress. Matt Stover won the game on a 44-yard field goal in overtime.

Week 12 (Monday November 28, 2005): at Indianapolis Colts
1 2 3 4 Total
Steelers 7 0 0 0 7
Colts 10 6 7 3 26

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

The banged-up Steelers were simply no match for the undefeated Colts on Monday Night. Indianapolis' first offensive play proved a harbinger for the Steelers, with Marvin Harrison scorching Pittsburgh cornerback Ike Taylor on an 80-yard touchdown strike and a 7–0 advantage. Ben Roethlisberger's return from a two-game absence (knee injury) was a shaky one; his first interception potentially caused a six-point swing, snuffing out a Steeler drive late in the first half and setting up the Colts to kick a field goal, taking a 16–7 lead into the break. Roethlisberger's struggles were heightened when injured left tackle Marvel Smith grew less and less able to deal with All-Pro Colt pass rusher Dwight Freeney & Co., and eventually left with an ankle injury.

Week 13 (Sunday December 4, 2005): vs. Cincinnati Bengals
1 2 3 4 Total
Bengals 7 14 10 7 38
Steelers 14 3 7 7 31

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Ben Roethlisberger put up the most prolific numbers of his young career in his return from a knee injury, but he was ultimately out dueled by Carson Palmer. Roethlisberger outpassed his counterpart 386–227 and each threw three touchdowns, but his three interceptions were backbreakers. Ultimately, the Bengals simply made too many big plays, including a 94-yard kickoff return by Tab Perry, for the Steelers to keep pace.

Week 14 (Sunday December 11, 2005): vs. Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears (9–3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7–5)
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 3 0 069
Steelers 7 7 7021

at Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Game information

In a snowy atmosphere, the Steelers snapped their three-game losing streak by ending the Bears' eight-game winning run. Jerome Bettis churned through the snow and mud for a season-high 101 rushing yards, scoring twice in the physical win.

Week 15 (Sunday December 18, 2005): at Minnesota Vikings
1 2 3 4 Total
Steelers 3 7 6 2 18
Vikings 3 0 0 0 3

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Dome
  • Game attendance: 64,136
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers: (CBS) Kevin Harlan (play by play), Randy Cross (color commentator)

Desperately trying to keep pace in the AFC playoff picture, the Steelers again dominated an NFC North opponent and again snapped a winning streak. The Vikings had won six straight games, but were pounded up and down the field in losing to Pittsburgh. The Steelers forced three Minnesota turnovers and added a safety in the victory.

Week 16 (Saturday December 24, 2005): at Cleveland Browns
1 2 3 4 Total
Steelers 14 6 14 7 41
Browns 0 0 0 0 0

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C) (Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 73,136
  • Referee: Bill Carollo
  • TV announcers: (CBS) Gus Johnson (play by play), Steve Tasker (color commentator)

The Steelers turned a nearly flawless performance into a dominating win in Cleveland. The Browns were sacked eight times and were never really in the game. Willie Parker's 80-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter broke the game open at 27–0. Ben Roethlisberger completed 13 of 20 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown before giving way to Charlie Batch with the game well in hand.

Week 17 (Sunday January 1, 2006): vs. Detroit Lions
1 2 3 4 Total
Lions 14 0 7 0 21
Steelers 14 7 14 0 35

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C) (Partly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 63,794
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers: (FOX) Ron Pitts (play by play), Tim Ryan (color commentator)

Mere weeks after being all but counted out in an extremely tight AFC playoff race, the Steelers clinched a Wild Card berth, trading punches with lowly Detroit and coming out on top. Unexpectedly, the 5–10 Lions leapt to a 14–7 first-quarter lead on two Joey Harrington touchdown passes, but Jerome Bettis tied the game later in the period with the first of his three touchdown runs in his final game in Pittsburgh. Bettis and Willie Parker combined for 176 rushing yards as the Steelers closed out their regular season.

Playoffs
Further information: 2005–06 NFL playoffs
Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 8, 2006 at Cincinnati Bengals (3) W 31–17 1–0 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
Divisional January 15, 2006 at Indianapolis Colts (1) W 21–18 2–0 RCA Dome Recap
AFC Championship January 22, 2006 at Denver Broncos (2) W 34–17 3–0 Invesco Field at Mile High Recap
Super Bowl XL February 5, 2006 vs. Seattle Seahawks (N1) W 21–10 4–0 Ford Field Recap

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (#3) Cincinnati Bengals
AFC wild card game: (#6) Pittsburgh Steelers (11–5) at (#3) Cincinnati Bengals (11–5)
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 14 14331
Bengals 10 7 0017

at Paul Brown Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

Carson Palmer was injured early on in a tackle by Kimo von Oelhoffen

AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (#1) Indianapolis Colts
See also: 2005 Indianapolis Colts season
Main article: 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers–Indianapolis Colts playoff game
AFC Divisional Playoff: (#6) Pittsburgh Steelers (11–5) at (#1) Indianapolis Colts (14–2)
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 14 0 7021
Colts 0 3 01518

at RCA Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Steelers became the first No. 6 playoff seed (since the league expanded to a 12-team playoff format in 1990) to defeat a No. 1 seed, and also the first No. 6 seed to reach a conference championship game.

Roethlisberger's game-saving tackle on Harper would later be known as "The Immaculate Redemption" or just "The Tackle".

AFC Championship: at (#2) Denver Broncos
1 2 3 4 Total
Steelers 3 21 0 10 34
Broncos 0 3 7 7 17

at Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Super Bowl XL: vs. (N1) Seattle Seahawks
1 2 3 4 Total
Seahawks 3 0 7 0 10
Steelers 0 7 7 7 21

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

The Pittsburgh Steelers became the 4th wild card team to win the Super Bowl. Hines Ward got the Super Bowl MVP recording 5 catches 143 yards and a touchdown.

Standings
AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Cincinnati Bengals 11 5 0 .688 5–1 7–5 421 350 L2
(6) Pittsburgh Steelers 11 5 0 .688 4–2 7–5 389 258 W4
Baltimore Ravens 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 265 299 L1
Cleveland Browns 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 232 301 W1

Honors and awards
Super Bowl winners Ben Roethlisberger and Jerome Bettis with sportscaster Chris Berman at Super Bowl XL media day

Pro Bowl representatives

See: 2006 Pro Bowl

References
  1. Labriola, Bob (June 23, 2008). "2005 AFC Wild Card Game". www.steelers.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  2. "Steelers vs. Colts - Game Recap - January 15, 2006 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  3. Isherwood, Mark (January 16, 2006). "Steelers overcome adversity to reach AFC Championship game". KUSA.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  4. Labriola, Bob (June 23, 2008). "2005 AFC Championship Game". www.steelers.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  5. Flaherty, Dan (June 13, 2014). "The Story Of The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers". thesportsnotebook.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  6. Signorelli, Nick (May 12, 2009). "2005 Pittsburgh Steelers: One For The Thumb, Finally". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  7. Defeo, Anthony (July 2, 2015). "The '05 Steelers were no Cinderella team". Behind the Steel Curtain. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  8. 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  9. 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  10. 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  11. "2005 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  12. "2006 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
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