Pittsburgh finished with an 11–3 record in
1972, their first winning season in 9 years (1963), and won their first-ever
AFC Central Division title. It was the
Steelers' third-ever postseason appearance, first in
ten seasons (the
Playoff Bowl for third place in the league), and only its second playoff game since
1947. This season is famous for the
Immaculate Reception, where the Steelers beat the
Oakland Raiders 13–7 in the
playoffs on a last second touchdown by rookie running back
Franco Harris.
The rebuilding of the franchise that began in
1969 with the hiring of head coach
Chuck Noll finally came to fruition in his fourth year. After winning only once in that first season, the Steelers then showed steady improvement. They broke through in 1972 and made the playoffs for the first time since 1947; their three losses were by a combined eleven points. The division title was the first in team history, as was the appearance in the
AFC Championship game which they lost to the undefeated
Miami Dolphins 21–17. It was the first of eight consecutive playoff appearances for the Steelers that led to four
Super Bowl championships.
Mike Siani 70-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick)
PIT 34–28
The Steelers were able to start off against the Raiders at home scoring 17 unanswered points (2TDs/PATs and a FG) and eventually ended up defeating the team by 6 for a 34–28 victory and a 1–0 start.
Pittsburgh finished with an 11–3 record in
1972, their first winning season in 9 years (1963), and won their first-ever
AFC Central Division title. It was the
Steelers' third-ever postseason appearance, first in
ten seasons (the
Playoff Bowl for third place in the league), and only its second playoff game since
1947. This season is famous for the
Immaculate Reception, where the Steelers beat the
Oakland Raiders 13–7 in the
playoffs on a last second touchdown by rookie running back
Franco Harris.
The rebuilding of the franchise that began in
1969 with the hiring of head coach
Chuck Noll finally came to fruition in his fourth year. After winning only once in that first season, the Steelers then showed steady improvement. They broke through in 1972 and made the playoffs for the first time since 1947; their three losses were by a combined eleven points. The division title was the first in team history, as was the appearance in the
AFC Championship game which they lost to the undefeated
Miami Dolphins 21–17. It was the first of eight consecutive playoff appearances for the Steelers that led to four
Super Bowl championships.
Mike Siani 70-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick)
PIT 34–28
The Steelers were able to start off against the Raiders at home scoring 17 unanswered points (2TDs/PATs and a FG) and eventually ended up defeating the team by 6 for a 34–28 victory and a 1–0 start.