There will be plenty of fireworks to celebrate this July Fourth, marking America’s 250th birthday. To pair with the day, here are the three most explosive showings in Pittsburgh Steelers franchise history by a team or player.
3. 1954’s Upset Over Browns
The pre-Noll era has largely been forgotten to time, but Pittsburgh was known for the occasional gaudy showing. An early 1954 matchup against Paul Brown’s Cleveland Browns made the Steelers heavy underdogs.
By game’s end, Pittsburgh pulled off the upset in statement fashion. A 55-27 win, the Steelers thrived in every facet. Passing, rushing and taking the ball away.
Pittsburgh finished the game with 441 total yards: 257 passing and 184 rushing. They also intercepted Otto Graham five times, the most picks he would ever throw in a game. Twice, Pittsburgh ran them back for touchdowns. Hall of Famer Jack Butler housed a 41 yarder to give the Steelers a second quarter lead they would not relinquish, and Russ Craft capped the blowout with an 81-yard runback late in the game.
To date, Pittsburgh is one of only nine teams to record 250-plus passing yards, 175-plus rushing yards, and have two return touchdowns in the same game. A little specific but still impressive.
Quarterback Jim Finks fired four scores with star receiver Ray Mathews catching three of them.
Pittsburgh’s 55 points remain third-most in franchise history and the highest total the Steelers have ever posted against Cleveland. The only sad part to the story was the Browns exacting revenge in the rematch, winning 42-7.
2. Ben Roethlisberger’s First 6 TD Game
Roethlisberger threw six touchdown passes in back-to-back games, but his first over the Indianapolis Colts was a little more prolific than his encore against the Baltimore Ravens. Against Indy in 2014, Roethlisberger was unstoppable. He completed 40-of-49 passes for 522 yards and those six scores in a 51-34 laugher.
Pittsburgh racked up 28 points in the second quarter, with Roethlisberger throwing half his touchdowns in that frame alone. Cornerback William Gay added a pick-six.
The Steelers sealed the win with nine points in the fourth quarter thanks to a Colts safety and Roethlisberger finding Heath Miller for his sixth touchdown toss. If you have a free 96 seconds, go back and watch them all. The outing helped hide those hideous Bumblee jerseys.
To date, Roethlisberger is one of just three quarterbacks to throw for 500-plus yards and at least six touchdowns in the same game. Y.A. Title was the first way back in 1962, while Drew Brees joined the club one year after Roethlisberger in 2015. Of course, Roethlisberger remains the only player in history to throw for six touchdowns in back-to-back weeks.
1. Pittsburgh’s Points Record
Pittsburgh’s greatest offensive output happened long ago. The franchise’s most explosive showing came way back in 1952 when the Steelers rolled up 63 points on the New York Giants. It was an outcome all the greater given that New York came into the game 6-3 and 7.5-point favorites. The Steelers won 63-7.
The Steelers were explosive from the get-go. Lynn Chandnois returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but the play was negated due to penalty. New York re-kicked and Chandnois promptly ran it back again. This time, the touchdown stood.
By the end of the first quarter, Pittsburgh led 14-0. By halftime, the Steelers doubled their score to seal the outcome at the break. Still, Pittsburgh added a 28-point fourth quarter, including a blocked punt for a touchdown, to win by 56 points. Finks finished the day with four passing touchdowns while backup QB Gary Kerkorian added a fifth.
In regular season history, the Steelers’ 63 points are tied for ninth-most by any team. Pittsburgh’s never broken the 60-point barrier since.