List of Pittsburgh Steelers seasons
The Pittsburgh Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in 1933, the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC; seven franchises in the National Football Conference (NFC) have longer tenures in the NFL. The team struggled to be competitive in its early history, posting winning records in just 8 of its first 39 seasons. Since the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, however, it has appeared in eight Super Bowls and one of only two teams, along with the New England Patriots have won the Super Bowl six times. The six championships place the Steelers fourth in the league in terms of total championships (including those prior to the first Super Bowl), trailing only the Green Bay Packers (13 championships), the Chicago Bears (9) and the New York Giants (8).[1] The club's 15 AFC Championship Game appearances are second all-time, behind the Patriots (16). In addition, they have hosted the second-most conference championship games (11) than any franchise in either conference, and are tied for second with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos with eight Super Bowl appearances; the Patriots currently hold the record of eleven appearances, as of 2019.
From 1974 to 1979 the franchise became the first NFL franchise to win four Super Bowl titles in six seasons, a feat which is yet to be matched. The 2005 team was the first sixth-seeded team to advance to a conference championship game since the playoff field was expanded to 12 teams in 1990; the same team also became the first sixth-seed to win the Super Bowl. The Steelers are 6–2 in Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl IX, Super Bowl X, Super Bowl XIII, Super Bowl XIV, Super Bowl XL, Super Bowl XLIII and losing Super Bowl XXX and Super Bowl XLV.
As of the start of the 2018 season, the Steelers franchise are second all-time in playoff appearances, with 31, which is the most among active AFC franchises, as well as the most since the official start of the NFL-AFL merger in 1970. The Giants, Cowboys, and Packers are all tied for first all-time in playoff appearances, with 32 each.
NFL champions (1920–1969) | Super Bowl champions (1970–present) | Conference champions | Division champions | Wild Card berth | One-game playoff berth |
Season | Team | League | Conference | Division | Regular season | Postseason results | Awards | Head coaches | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finish | Won | Lost | Ties | Pct[1] | ||||||||
Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||||||
1933 | 1933 | NFL | East | 5th | 3 | 6 | 2 | .364 | Forrest Douds | |||
1934 | 1934 | NFL | East | 5th | 2 | 10 | 0 | .167 | Luby DiMeolo | |||
1935 | 1935 | NFL | East | 3rd | 4 | 8 | 0 | .333 | Joe Bach | |||
1936 | 1936 | NFL | East | 2nd | 6 | 6 | 0 | .500 | ||||
1937 | 1937 | NFL | East | 3rd | 4 | 7 | 0 | .364 | Johnny Blood | |||
1938 | 1938 | NFL | East | 5th | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | ||||
1939 | 1939 | NFL | East | 4th[T] | 1 | 9 | 1 | .136 | Johnny Blood (0–3) Walt Kiesling (1–6–1) | |||
Pittsburgh Steelers | ||||||||||||
1940 | 1940 | NFL | East | 4th | 2 | 7 | 2 | .273 | Walt Kiesling | |||
1941 | 1941 | NFL | East | 5th | 1 | 9 | 1 | .136 | Walt Kiesling (1–2–1) Aldo Donelli (0–5) Bert Bell (0–2) | |||
1942 | 1942 | NFL | East | 2nd | 7 | 4 | 0 | .636 | Walt Kiesling | |||
Steagles[2] | ||||||||||||
1943 | 1943 | NFL | East | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 1 | .550 | Greasy Neale & Walt Kiesling | |||
Card-Pitt[3] | ||||||||||||
1944 | 1944 | NFL | East | 5th | 0 | 10 | 0 | .000 | Phil Handler & Walt Kiesling | |||
Pittsburgh Steelers | ||||||||||||
1945 | 1945 | NFL | East | 5th | 2 | 8 | 0 | .200 | Jim Leonard | |||
1946 | 1946 | NFL | East | 3rd[T] | 5 | 5 | 1 | .500 | Bill Dudley – Joe F. Carr Trophy (MVP) | Jock Sutherland | ||
1947 | 1947 | NFL | East | 2nd | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | Lost Eastern Divisional Playoff (Eagles) 21–0 | |||
1948 | 1948 | NFL | East | 3rd[T] | 4 | 8 | 0 | .333 | John Michelosen | |||
1949 | 1949 | NFL | East | 2nd | 6 | 5 | 1 | .542 | ||||
1950 | 1950 | NFL | American | 3rd[T] | 6 | 6 | 0 | .500 | ||||
1951 | 1951 | NFL | American | 4th | 4 | 7 | 1 | .375 | ||||
1952 | 1952 | NFL | American | 4th | 5 | 7 | 0 | .417 | Joe Bach | |||
1953 | 1953 | NFL | Eastern | 4th | 6 | 6 | 0 | .500 | ||||
1954 | 1954 | NFL | Eastern | 4th | 5 | 7 | 0 | .417 | Walt Kiesling | |||
1955 | 1955 | NFL | Eastern | 6th | 4 | 8 | 0 | .346 | ||||
1956 | 1956 | NFL | Eastern | 4th[T] | 5 | 7 | 0 | .500 | ||||
1957 | 1957 | NFL | Eastern | 3rd | 6 | 6 | 0 | .500 | Buddy Parker | |||
1958 | 1958 | NFL | Eastern | 3rd | 7 | 4 | 1 | .625 | ||||
1959 | 1959 | NFL | Eastern | 4th | 6 | 5 | 1 | .542 | ||||
1960 | 1960 | NFL | Eastern | 5th | 5 | 6 | 1 | .458 | ||||
1961 | 1961 | NFL | Eastern | 5th | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | ||||
1962 | 1962 | NFL | Eastern | 2nd | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | ||||
1963 | 1963 | NFL | Eastern | 4th | 7 | 4 | 3 | .607 | ||||
1964 | 1964 | NFL | Eastern | 6th | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | ||||
1965 | 1965 | NFL | Eastern | 7th | 2 | 12 | 0 | .143 | Mike Nixon | |||
1966 | 1966 | NFL | Eastern | 6th | 5 | 8 | 1 | .393 | Bill Austin | |||
1967 | 1967 | NFL | Eastern | Century | 4th | 4 | 9 | 1 | .321 | |||
1968 | 1968 | NFL | Eastern | Century | 4th | 2 | 11 | 1 | .179 | |||
1969 | 1969 | NFL | Eastern | Century | 4th | 1 | 13 | 0 | .071 | Joe Greene – Defensive Rookie of the Year | Chuck Noll | |
1970 | 1970 | NFL | AFC | Central | 3rd | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | |||
1971 | 1971 | NFL | AFC | Central | 2nd | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | |||
1972 | 1972 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Raiders) 13–7 Lost Conference Championship (Dolphins) 21–17 |
Chuck Noll – AFC Coach of the Year Franco Harris Offensive Rookie of the Year Joe Greene – Defensive Player of the Year Franco Harris – AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year | |
1973 | 1973 | NFL | AFC | Central | 2nd | 10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Raiders) 33–14 | ||
1974 | 1974 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 10 | 3 | 1 | .750 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Bills) 32–14 Won Conference Championship (at Raiders) 24–13 Won Super Bowl IX (1) (vs. Vikings) 16–6 |
Jack Lambert – Defensive Rookie of the Year Joe Greene – Defensive Player of the Year Franco Harris – Super Bowl MVP | |
1975 | 1975 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 12 | 2 | 0 | .857 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Colts) 28–10 Won Conference Championship (Raiders) 16–10 Won Super Bowl X (2) (vs. Cowboys) 21–17 |
Mel Blount – Defensive Player of the Year Lynn Swann – Super Bowl MVP | |
1976 | 1976 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | Won Divisional Playoffs (at Colts) 40–14 Lost Conference Championship (at Raiders) 24–7 |
Jack Lambert – Defensive Player of the Year Jack Lambert – AFC Defensive Player of the Year | |
1977 | 1977 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Broncos) 34–21 | ||
1978 | 1978 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Broncos) 33–10 Won Conference Championship (Oilers) 34–5 Won Super Bowl XIII (3) (vs. Cowboys) 35–31 |
Terry Bradshaw – MVP Terry Bradshaw – Super Bowl MVP Terry Bradshaw – Bert Bell MVP | |
1979 | 1979 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Dolphins) 34–14 Won Conference Championship (Oilers) 27–13 Won Super Bowl XIV (4) (vs. Rams) 31–19 |
Jack Lambert – AFC Defensive Player of the Year Terry Bradshaw – Super Bowl MVP | |
1980 | 1980 | NFL | AFC | Central | 3rd | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | |||
1981 | 1981 | NFL | AFC | Central | 2nd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | |||
1982 | 1982 | NFL | AFC | Central | 4th[T][3] | 6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | Lost First Round (Chargers) 31–28 | ||
1983 | 1983 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Raiders) 38–10 | ||
1984 | 1984 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | Won Divisional Playoffs (at Broncos) 24–17 Lost Conference Championship (at Dolphins) 45–28 |
Louis Lipps – Offensive Rookie of the Year John Stallworth – Comeback Player of the Year | |
1985 | 1985 | NFL | AFC | Central | 3rd | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | |||
1986 | 1986 | NFL | AFC | Central | 3rd | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | |||
1987 | 1987 | NFL | AFC | Central | 3rd | 8 | 7 | 0 | .533 | |||
1988 | 1988 | NFL | AFC | Central | 4th | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | |||
1989 | 1989 | NFL | AFC | Central | 2nd | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | Won Wild Card Playoffs (at Oilers) 26–23 Lost Divisional playoff (at Broncos) 24–23 |
Chuck Noll – Maxwell Football Club Coach of the Year | |
1990 | 1990 | NFL | AFC | Central | 3rd | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | |||
1991 | 1991 | NFL | AFC | Central | 2nd | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | |||
1992 | 1992 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | Lost Divisional Playoffs (Bills) 24–3 | Bill Cowher – NFL Coach of the Year Barry Foster – AFC Offensive Player of the Year |
Bill Cowher |
1993 | 1993 | NFL | AFC | Central | 2nd | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Chiefs) 27–24 (OT) | Rod Woodson – Defensive Player of the Year | |
1994 | 1994 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Browns) 29–9 Lost Conference Championship (Chargers) 17–13 |
Greg Lloyd – AFC Defensive Player of the Year | |
1995 | 1995 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Bills) 40–21 Won Conference Championship (Colts) 20–16 Lost Super Bowl XXX (vs. Cowboys) 27–17 |
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1996 | 1996 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | Won Wild Card Playoffs (Colts) 42–14 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Patriots) 28–3 |
Jerome Bettis – Comeback Player of the Year | |
1997 | 1997 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Patriots) 7–6 Lost Conference Championship (Broncos) 24–21 |
||
1998 | 1998 | NFL | AFC | Central | 3rd | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | |||
1999 | 1999 | NFL | AFC | Central | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | |||
2000 | 2000 | NFL | AFC | Central | 3rd | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | |||
2001 | 2001 | NFL | AFC | Central | 1st | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Ravens) 27–10 Lost Conference Championship (Patriots) 24–17 |
Kendrell Bell – Defensive Rookie of the Year | |
2002 | 2002 | NFL | AFC | North | 1st | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | Won Wild Card Playoffs (Browns) 36–33 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Titans) 34–31 |
Tommy Maddox – Comeback Player of the Year | |
2003 | 2003 | NFL | AFC | North | 3rd | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | |||
2004 | 2004 | NFL | AFC | North | 1st | 15 | 1 | 0 | .938 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Jets) 20–17 Lost Conference Championship (Patriots) 41–27 |
Bill Cowher – Sporting News Coach of the Year Ben Roethlisberger – Offensive Rookie of the Year | |
2005 | 2005 | NFL | AFC | North | 2nd | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | Won Wild Card Playoffs (at Bengals) 31–17 Won Divisional Playoffs (at Colts) 21–18 Won Conference Championship (at Broncos) 34–17 Won Super Bowl XL (5) (vs. Seahawks) 21–10 |
Hines Ward – Super Bowl MVP | |
2006 | 2006 | NFL | AFC | North | 3rd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | |||
2007 | 2007 | NFL | AFC | North | 1st | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Jaguars) 31–29 | Mike Tomlin | |
2008 | 2008 | NFL | AFC | North | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Chargers) 35–24 Won Conference Championship (Ravens) 23–14 Won Super Bowl XLIII (6) (vs. Cardinals) 27–23 |
James Harrison – Defensive Player of the Year[4] Santonio Holmes – Super Bowl MVP Mike Tomlin – Motorola NFL Coach of the Year[5] | |
2009 | 2009 | NFL | AFC | North | 3rd | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | |||
2010 | 2010 | NFL | AFC | North | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | Won Divisional Playoffs (Ravens) 31–24 Won Conference Championship (Jets) 24–19 Lost Super Bowl XLV (vs. Packers) 31–25 |
Troy Polamalu – Defensive Player of the Year | |
2011 | 2011 | NFL | AFC | North | 2nd | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Broncos) 29–23 (OT) | ||
2012 | 2012 | NFL | AFC | North | 3rd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | |||
2013 | 2013 | NFL | AFC | North | 2nd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | |||
2014 | 2014 | NFL | AFC | North | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Ravens) 30–17 | ||
2015 | 2015 | NFL | AFC | North | 2nd | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | Won Wild Card Playoffs (at Bengals) 18–16 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Broncos) 23–16 |
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2016 | 2016 | NFL | AFC | North | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | Won Wild Card Playoffs (Dolphins) 30–12 Won Divisional Playoffs (at Chiefs) 18–16 Lost Conference Championship (at Patriots) 36–17 |
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2017 | 2017 | NFL | AFC | North | 1st | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | Lost Divisional Playoffs (Jaguars) 45–42 | ||
2018 | 2018 | NFL | AFC | North | 2nd | 9 | 6 | 1 | .594 | |||
2019 | 2019 | NFL | AFC | North | 2nd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | |||
Totals | Regular season: | 636 | 566 | 22 | .529 | 1933–2019, regular season only | ||||||
Playoff: | 36 | 25 | 0 | .590 | 1933–2019, playoffs only | |||||||
Overall: | 672 | 591 | 22 | .532 | 1933–2019, regular season and playoff games |
Notes:
- The Finish, Wins, Losses, Ties and Pct columns include only regular season results. Postseason results are shown only within the "Playoffs" column. Regular and postseason records are combined only at the bottom of the table.
- T Tied for this position with at least one other team
- 1 For the purposes of calculating winning percentage ties count as ½ win and ½ loss
- 2 The Playoff Bowl (a.k.a. Bert Bell Benefit Bowl) is regarded as an unofficial post-season exhibition for third place
- 3 Ranked by conference rather than division (strike shortened season).
References
"Pittsburgh Steelers Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
- "NFL Record and Fact Book – Team Records: Championships". NFL.com. 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
- "1943 Phi/Pit Eagles/Steelers". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
- "1944 Chi/Pit Cards/Steelers". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
- Associated Press (5 January 2009). "Harrison has death grip on defensive award". ESPN.com. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
- NFL (29 January 2009). "Steelers' Tomlin voted 2008 Motorola Coach of the Year". Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2009.