Patriots–Steelers rivalry

The Patriots–Steelers rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots and Steelers are the two most storied franchises in the Super Bowl era, the Patriots and Steelers have played each other intermittently since the 1970s, but the two teams did not become full-fledged rivals until the late 1990s, when they became Super Bowl contenders.[1][2][3] The rivalry would reach new heights during the 2000s and 2010s when both teams, led by quarterbacks Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger for the Patriots and Steelers respectively, posted winning seasons and several playoff appearances during this time period with both teams making it to the Super Bowl and taking home more than one Lombardi trophy.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The two met each other in three AFC championship games during the 2000s and 2010s in which the Patriots defeated the Steelers each time and eventually made their way to the Super Bowl, winning a title in each appearance.[12][13][14] Despite the Patriots' dominant reign over the NFL from 2001 to 2019, the Steelers would still prove themselves to be a consistent playoff contender during that time period with three Super Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl victories. However, the Steelers would be more successful in the postseason during the 2000s than in the 2010s.[15][16][1][17][18][19][20][21][22] In 2020, CBS Sports ranked the Patriots-Steelers rivalry as the 8th best NFL rivalry of the 2000s.[23]

New England Patriots–Pittsburgh Steelers
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
First meetingOctober 22, 1972
Steelers 33, Patriots 3
Latest meetingSeptember 18, 2022
Patriots 17, Steelers 14
Next meetingDecember 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh
Statistics
Meetings total34
All-time seriesPatriots, 18–16
Postseason resultsPatriots, 4–1
List
Most recent
January 22, 2017
Patriots 36, Steelers 17
Largest victoryPatriots 34–0
October 19, 1986
Longest win streakPatriots, 5
Steelers, 5
Current win streakPatriots, 2
(2019–present)
Championship success
Super Bowl Championships (12)

Conference Championships (19)

History

The Steelers initially dominated the rivalry, winning 10 of its first 13 meetings with the Patriots. But in the 1996 AFC Divisional Round, the Patriots routed the Steelers 28–3 at Foxboro Stadium, ending Pittsburgh's five-game winning streak against New England. It also began a stretch where the Patriots won 14 of the next 20 meetings with the Steelers, including four of five postseason matchups. The Patriots would go on to reach and then lose Super Bowl XXXI against the Green Bay Packers.[24][25][26] The following year, also in the divisional round, the Steelers exacted revenge at Three Rivers Stadium, winning by a 7–6 score to reach their third AFC championship game in four years. This was also the only playoff meeting in which the winner did not eventually advance to the Super Bowl, as the Steelers lost to the eventual champion Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game.[25][26] Earlier that season, the Steelers overcame a 14–0 deficit to beat the Patriots on the road 24–21 in overtime. In that game, quarterback Kordell Stewart managed a game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter culminating in a touchdown to Mark Bruener and a two-point conversion to Yancey Thigpen. In overtime, placekicker Norm Johnson won the game with a 31-yard field goal. The win gave the Steelers a first-round bye and ensured a home game in the divisional round.[27]

In the 2001 season, the Steelers finished with the top seed in the AFC at 13–3. Meanwhile, the Patriots overcame an early-season injury to Drew Bledsoe, and led by then-second year quarterback Tom Brady and coached by Bill Belichick, rallied to finish second at 11–5. The two teams met in the AFC championship game at Heinz Field, and with Bledsoe replacing Brady due to injury, the Patriots upset the Steelers 24–17 and went on to win their first Super Bowl.[25][26]

The 2004 season saw the emergence of Ben Roethlisberger as the Steelers' starting quarterback. En route to a 15–1 season, Roethlisberger and the Steelers ended the Patriots' record 21-game winning streak on October 31, taking home a 31–24 victory. The Steelers entered the AFC championship game having won all 15 games Roethlisberger started in his rookie season. However, the streak ended at home as New England defeated Pittsburgh 41–27 en route to winning their third Super Bowl championship. The defeat also prevented the Steelers from facing their in-state rival Philadelphia Eagles, who had clinched the NFC championship.[25][26]

The Patriots and Steelers would not meet in the postseason again until 2016. Between those playoff meetings, the Steelers made three Super Bowl appearances and won two (Super Bowl XL and XLIII), while the Patriots also made three Super Bowls but won only once (Super Bowl XLIX). Facing each other at Gillette Stadium in the AFC championship game, the Patriots again routed the Steelers 36–17 and went on to win their fifth Super Bowl.[26][28] The Patriots would win their sixth Super Bowl two seasons later, tying the Steelers with the most Super Bowl championships.

Game results
New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Season-by-Season Results
1970s (Steelers, 3–1)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
1972 Steelers
33–3		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
1–0		 First meeting in the series. Most lopsided Steelers win in the series.
1974 Steelers
21–17		 Schaefer Stadium Steelers
2–0		 Steelers win Super Bowl IX.
1976 Patriots
30–27		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
2–1
1979 Steelers
16–13(OT)		 Schaefer Stadium Steelers
3–1		 Steelers win Super Bowl XIV.
1980s (Steelers, 3–2)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
1981 Steelers
27–21(OT)		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
4–1
1982 Steelers
37–14		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
5–1
1983 Patriots
28–23		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
5–2
1986 Patriots
34–0		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
5–3		 Most lopsided Patriots win in the series. Also the largest margin of victory in the series.
1989 Steelers
28–10		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
6–3
1990s (Steelers, 6–2)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
1990 Steelers
24–3		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
7–3
1991 Steelers
20–6		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
8–3
1993 Steelers
17–14		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
9–3
1995 Steelers
41–27		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
10–3		 Steelers lose Super Bowl XXX.
1996 playoffs Patriots
28–3		 Foxboro Stadium Steelers
10–4		 AFC Divisional Round. First postseason meeting in the series. Patriots host first playoff game since 1978. Largest margin of victory in a playoff game in the series. This was the only Patriots' home victory over the Steelers prior to the Tom Brady era. Patriots lose Super Bowl XXXI.
1997 Steelers
24–21(OT)		 Foxboro Stadium Steelers
11–4		 Final meeting at Foxboro Stadium
1997 playoffs Steelers
7–6		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
12–4		 AFC Divisional Round. Kordell Stewart's 40-yard touchdown run in the first quarter proved to be the winning score. Most recent NFL playoff game in which neither team scored at least 10 points.
1998 Patriots
23–9		 Three Rivers Stadium Steelers
12–5		 Final meeting at Three Rivers Stadium
2000s (Patriots, 5–2)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
2001 playoffs Patriots
24–17		 Heinz Field Steelers
12–6		 AFC Championship Game. First meeting at Heinz Field. First start in the series for Tom Brady. Later replaced by Drew Bledsoe due to injury. Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVI.
2002 Patriots
30–14		 Gillette Stadium Steelers
12–7		 First meeting at Gillette Stadium.
2004 Steelers
34–20		 Heinz Field Steelers
13–7		 First start in the series for Ben Roethlisberger. Steelers end Patriots' record 21-game winning streak.
2004 playoffs Patriots
41–27		 Heinz Field Steelers
13–8		 AFC Championship Game. Patriots win Super Bowl XXXIX.
2005 Patriots
23–20		 Heinz Field Steelers
13–9		 Steelers win Super Bowl XL.
2007 Patriots
34–13		 Gillette Stadium Steelers
13–10		 Patriots complete 16–0 regular season. Patriots lose Super Bowl XLII.
2008 Steelers
33–10		 Gillette Stadium Steelers
14–10		 Steelers' first win at Gillette Stadium. Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII.
2010s (Patriots, 7–2)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
2010 Patriots
39–26		 Heinz Field Steelers
14–11		 Steelers lose Super Bowl XLV.
2011 Steelers
25–17		 Heinz Field Steelers
15–11		 Patriots lose Super Bowl XLVI.
2013 Patriots
55–31		 Gillette Stadium Steelers
15–12		 Highest scoring game in the series.
2015 Patriots
28–21		 Gillette Stadium Steelers
15–13		 NFL Kickoff Game.
2016 Patriots
27–16		 Heinz Field Steelers
15–14
2016 playoffs Patriots
36–17		 Gillette Stadium Tied
15–15		 AFC Championship Game. Last postseason meeting to date. Patriots surpass the Steelers for most Super Bowl appearances. Patriots win Super Bowl LI.
2017 Patriots
27–24		 Heinz Field Patriots
16–15		 Patriots take first lead in the series. In the closing seconds, Jesse James of the Steelers appeared to have scored a go-ahead touchdown that would have clinched the AFC's #1 seed, but after review, the call was overturned ruling that Jesse James didn't maintain control of the ball. Two plays later, Duron Harmon's interception of Ben Roethlisberger sealed the win for the Patriots, who would instead finish as the AFC's #1 seed. Patriots lose Super Bowl LII.
2018 Steelers
17–10		 Heinz Field Tied
16–16		 Patriots win Super Bowl LIII.
2019 Patriots
33–3		 Gillette Stadium Patriots
17–16		 Final start in the series for Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger.
2020s (Patriots, 1–0)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
2022 Patriots
17–14		 Acrisure Stadium Patriots
18–16		 First start in the series for Mac Jones and Mitchell Trubisky
2023 Acrisure Stadium
Summary of Results
SeasonSeason seriesat New England Patriotsat Pittsburgh SteelersNotes
Regular season Steelers 15–14 Patriots 5–4 Steelers 11–9
Postseason Patriots 4–1 Patriots 2–0 Patriots 2–1 AFC Divisional playoffs: 1996–1997. AFC Championship Game: 2001, 2004, 2016.
Regular and postseason Patriots 18–16 Patriots 7–4 Steelers 12–11

See also

Notes and references
  1. Quinn, Sam (November 16, 2017). "The five teams that the New England Patriots hate most". New England Patriots. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  2. Boyer, James (2019-07-24). "Steelers Dynasty vs. Patriots Dynasty: Which was more impressive?". Behind the Steel Curtain. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  3. Howe, Jeff. "'We don't like them, and they don't like us': Patriots-Steelers rivalry now becomes a race to a 7th Super Bowl title". The Athletic. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  4. Howe, Jeff (2017-01-19). "Tom Brady-Ben Roethlisberger meeting has been a long time coming". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  5. Lean, Andrew (October 28, 2011). "NFL Week 8: Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger Continue Underrated QB Rivalry". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  6. "Ben Roethlisberger: Sharing field with Patriots QB Tom Brady is 'an honor'". RSN. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  7. Benbow, Julia (January 18, 2017). "Rivalry with Patriots helped fuel Ben Roethlisberger's fire". Boston Globe.
  8. Fowler, Jeremy (2017-12-14). "Brady vs. Big Ben by the numbers: A study in dominance; a shot at redemption". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  9. Bradford, Chris. "Steelers have a history with Patriots in AFC Championship Game". Beaver County Times. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  10. Koehler, Allison (2020-07-04). "The Pittsburgh Steelers appear twice in NFL's top rivalries of the 2000s". Steelers Wire. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  11. Shelley, Tom. "Steelers or Patriots: Who Is the Team of the Decade?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  12. "Bledsoe delivers, with plenty of help". ESPN.com. January 27, 2002. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  13. "Big Ben turns to Gentle Ben in Steelers' loss". ESPN.com. January 23, 2005. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  14. "They're Back: Brady and Patriots win AFC, 36-17 vs Steelers". ESPN.com. January 22, 2017. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  15. McAlear, Brady (2019-12-18). "The 10 best Patriots games of the 2010s decade: Nos. 10-7". Musket Fire. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  16. Morry, Bryan (January 16, 2017). "Patriots - Steelers rivalry heats up again". www.patriots.com. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  17. Bires, Mike. "Mass. woes". Beaver County Times. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  18. Hartman, Jeff. "Point/counterpoint: Why Steelers' 2010s were more disappointing than 1990s". DK Pittsburgh Sports. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  19. Das, Andrew (November 11, 2009). "Team of the 2000s: Patriots, Colts or Steelers?". The New York Times.
  20. "Decade of Dominance | Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site". pfhof. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  21. "Throwback: Steelers end Patriots' 21-game winning streak in 2004". Pittsburgh Steelers. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  22. "Truth Hurts: Tom Brady Reigns over Pittsburgh in Steelers Patriots Rivalry". Steel Curtain Rising. 2017-01-27. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  23. DeArdo, Bryan (July 3, 2020). "Ranking NFL's top rivalries of the 2000s: Epic QB clash tops list of historic matchups". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  24. Austin Murphy/SI. "A Souper Sunday: The Steelers Were in a Fog Against the Patriots, Who Beat Them at Their Own Game". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  25. Bryan DeArdo. "Steelers vs. Patriots history: Six most memorable games ahead of their Week 1 showdown". CBS Sports. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  26. Eric Dockett. "Top 10 Pittsburgh Steelers Rivals of All Time". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  27. Bryan Anthony Davis (15 February 2018). "Steelers Throwback Thursday 12/13/1997: Mayhem in Massachusetts". SB Nation. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  28. Shpigel, Ben (January 22, 2017). "Tom Brady and Patriots Overwhelm Steelers and Advance to Super Bowl LI". The New York Times. Foxborough, Massachusetts. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
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