1996 Pittsburgh Steelers season

The 1996 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 64th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.

1996 Pittsburgh Steelers season
OwnerThe Rooney Family
General managerTom Donahoe
Head coachBill Cowher
Home fieldThree Rivers Stadium
Results
Record10–6
Division place1st AFC Central
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Colts) 42–14
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Patriots) 3–28
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros
4
  • Jerome Bettis (1st team)
  • Chad Brown (1st team)
  • Dermontti Dawson (1st team)
  • Levon Kirkland (2nd team)
Team MVPJerome Bettis
Team ROYJon Witman

This was Bill Cowher's fifth season as head coach of the Steelers, which resulted in yet another trip to the playoffs for the team, as Pittsburgh won the AFC Central championship for the fourth time under Cowher.

The team's 10–6 record was not enough to earn the Steelers a first-round bye. In their first playoff game, a rematch of the previous year's AFC Championship Game, the Steelers defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 42–14. The following their season would come to a halt as the Steelers lost to the New England Patriots, 28–3.

This would be the final season that the team wore block numerals, the next year they would switch to rounded numerals where it has remained ever since.

Personnel

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Staff

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1996 Pittsburgh Steelers staff

Front office

  • President – Daniel M. Rooney
  • Vice president – John R. McGinley
  • Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
  • Vice president and general counsel – Arthur J. Rooney II
  • Administration advisor – Chuck Noll
  • Director of marketing – Joe Gordon
  • Marketing coordinator – Mark Fuhrman
  • Merchandising manager – Tim Carey
  • Assistant marketing manager – Lynne Molyneaux
  • Media relations coordinator – Rob Boulware
  • Assistant/community relations – Ron Miller
  • Director of business – Mark Hart
  • Business coordinator – Dan Ferens
  • Accounts coordinator – Jim Ellenberger
  • Office/ticket manager – Geraldine Glenn
  • Football operations
  • Director of football operations – Tom Donahoe
  • Scouting staff
  • College personnel coordinator – Tom Modrak
  • Pro personnel coordinator – Charles Bailey
  • BLESTO College Scout – Mark Gorscak
  • College scout – Phil Kreidler
  • College scout – Bob Lane
  • College scout – Max McCartney

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Conditioning coordinator – Chet Fuhrman
  • Medical staff
  • Physician, orthopedic – Dr. James P. Bradley
  • Ophthalmologist – Dr. Randy Beatty
  • 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 trainer – John Norwig
  • Assistant trainer – Rick Burkholder
  • Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi
  • Field manager – Rodgers Freyvogel
  • Field assistant – Rich Baker
  • Video coordinator – Bob McCartney
  • Video assistant – Pat Dolan
  • Player development coordinator – Anthony Griggs
  • Administrative assistant – Lou Spanos
  • Photographers – Mike Fabus, Bill Amatucci

[1]

Notable additions include Jerome Bettis, Earl Holmes and Carlos Emmons.

Roster

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1996 Pittsburgh Steelers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad

[1][2][3]
Rookies in italics
53 active, 5 inactive, 2 practice squad

Preseason

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Schedule

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WeekDateOpponentGame SiteKickoff (ET)TVResultRecord
1Sat. Jul. 27vs. San Diego ChargersTokyo Dome (Tokyo, Japan)10:00 p.m.ESPNL 20–100–1
2Sat. Aug. 3St. Louis RamsThree Rivers Stadium6:00 p.m.WPXIW 16–101–1
3Sun. Aug. 11at Green Bay PackersLambeau Field8:00 p.m.TNTL 24–171–2
4Sat. Aug. 17Tampa Bay BuccaneersThree Rivers Stadium6:00 p.m.WPXIW 13–32–2
5Fri. Aug. 23at Philadelphia EaglesVeterans Stadium7:30 p.m.WPXIL 20–192–3

Regular season

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Schedule

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WeekDateOpponentGame SiteKickoff (ET)TVTV AnnouncersResultRecord
1Sun. Sep. 1at Jacksonville JaguarsAlltel Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCMarv Albert & Sam WycheL 24–90–1
2Sun. Sep. 8Baltimore RavensThree Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCMarv Albert & Sam WycheW 31–171–1
3Mon. Sep. 16Buffalo BillsThree Rivers Stadium9:00 p.m.ABCAl Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan DierdorfW 24–62–1
4Sun. Sep. 22Bye
5Sun. Sep. 29Houston OilersThree Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCDon Criqui & Beasley ReeceW 30–163–1
6Mon. Oct. 7at Kansas City ChiefsArrowhead Stadium9:00 p.m.ABCAl Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan DierdorfW 17–74–1
7Sun. Oct. 13Cincinnati BengalsThree Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCCharlie Jones & Randy CrossW 20–105–1
8Sun. Oct. 20at Houston OilersAstrodome4:00 p.m.NBCDon Criqui & Beasley ReeceL 23–135–2
9Sun. Oct. 27at Atlanta FalconsGeorgia Dome1:00 p.m.NBCDan Hicks & Bob TrumpyW 20–176–2
10Sun. Nov. 3St. Louis RamsThree Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.FOXJoe Buck & Bill MaasW 42–67–2
11Sun. Nov. 10at Cincinnati BengalsCinergy Field1:00 p.m.NBCDon Criqui & Beasley ReeceL 34–247–3
12Sun. Nov. 17Jacksonville JaguarsThree Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCJim Lampley & Bob GolicW 28–38–3
13Mon. Nov. 25at Miami DolphinsPro Player Stadium9:00 p.m.ABCAl Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan DierdorfW 24–179–3
14Sun. Dec. 1at Baltimore RavensMemorial Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCJim Lampley & Bob GolicL 31–179–4
15Sun. Dec. 8San Diego ChargersThree Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCTom Hammond & Bob TrumpyW 16–310–4
16Sun. Dec. 15San Francisco 49ersThree Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.FOXPat Summerall & John MaddenL 25–1510–5
17Sun. Dec. 22at Carolina PanthersEricsson Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCDon Criqui & Beasley ReeceL 18–1410–6

Game summaries

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Week 1 (Sunday September 1, 1996): at Jacksonville Jaguars

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1234Total
Steelers33309
Jaguars7701024

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather:
  • Game attendance: 70,210
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Marv Albert (play by play), Sam Wyche (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

Week 2 (Sunday September 8, 1996): vs. Baltimore Ravens

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1234Total
Ravens7100017
Steelers14143031

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C) (Partly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 57,241
  • Referee: Gerry Austin
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Marv Albert (play by play), Sam Wyche (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

Week 3 (Monday September 16, 1996): vs. Buffalo Bills

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1234Total
Bills30306
Steelers7170024

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Scoring drives:

Week 4 (Sunday September 22, 1996): Bye Week

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Week 5 (Sunday September 29, 1996): vs. Houston Oilers

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1234Total
Oilers0014216
Steelers17301030

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) (Mostly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 58,608
  • Referee: Tom White
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), Beasley Reece (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

  • Pittsburgh – Stewart 16 pass from Tomczak (Johnson kick)
  • Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 33
  • Pittsburgh – C. Johnson 62 pass from Tomczak (Johnson kick)
  • Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 36
  • Houston – Davis 4 pass from Chandler (Del Greco kick)
  • Houston – Lewis 36 interception return (Del Greco kick)
  • Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 36
  • Pittsburgh – Perry 13 interception return (Johnson kick)
  • Houston – Safety, Edge ran out of end zone

Week 6 (Monday October 7, 1996): at Kansas City Chiefs

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1234Total
Steelers068317
Chiefs07007

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Scoring drives:

Week 7 (Sunday October 13, 1996): vs. Cincinnati Bengals

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1234Total
Bengals003710
Steelers3071020

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C) (Partly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 58,875
  • Referee: Gary Lane
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Charlie Jones (play by play), Randy Cross (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

  • Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 33
  • Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 19
  • Pittsburgh – Stewart 32 pass from Tomczak (Johnson kick)
  • Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 22
  • Pittsburgh – Woodson 42 fumble return (Johnson kick)
  • Cincinnati – Pickens 3 pass from Blake (Pelfrey kick)

Week 8 (Sunday October 20, 1996): at Houston Oilers

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1234Total
Steelers730313
Oilers3601423

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Scoring drives:

Week 9 (Sunday October 27, 1996): at Atlanta Falcons

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1234Total
Steelers3014320
Falcons730717

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: Dome
  • Game attendance: 58,760
  • Referee: Ron Blum
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Dan Hicks (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

Week 10 (Sunday November 3, 1996): vs. St. Louis Rams

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1234Total
Rams03306
Steelers14714742

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C) (Partly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 58,148
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers: (FOX) Joe Buck (play by play), Bill Maas (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

Week 11 (Sunday November 10, 1996): at Cincinnati Bengals

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1234Total
Steelers0177024
Bengals31471034

at Cinergy Field, Cincinnati, Ohio

Scoring drives:

  • Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 32
  • Pittsburgh- FG Johnson 46
  • Pittsburgh – Bettis 6 run (Johnson kick)
  • Cincinnati – Carter 1 run (Pelfrey kick)
  • Pittsburgh – Stewart 1 run (Johnson kick)
  • Cincinnati – Dunn 90 kickoff return (Pelfrey kick)
  • Pittsburgh – Bettis 1 run (Johnson kick)
  • Cincinnati – Bieniemy 33 run (Pelfrey kick)
  • Cincinnati – Carter 12 pass from Blake (Pelfrey kick)
  • Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 34

Week 12 (Sunday November 17, 1996): vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

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1234Total
Jaguars03003
Steelers14140028

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C) (Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 58,879
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Jim Lampley (play by play), Bob Golic (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

Week 13 (Monday November 25, 1996): at Miami Dolphins

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1234Total
Steelers377724
Dolphins773017

at Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida

Scoring drives:

Week 14 (Sunday December 1, 1996): at Baltimore Ravens

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1234Total
Steelers737017
Ravens7170731

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather:
  • Game attendance: 51,882
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Jim Lampley (play by play), Bob Golic (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

Week 15 (Sunday December 8, 1996): vs. San Diego Chargers

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1234Total
Chargers00303
Steelers670316

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C) (Partly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 56,368
  • Referee: Gerry Austin
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Tom Hammond (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

Week 16 (Sunday December 15, 1996): vs. San Francisco 49ers

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1234Total
49ers1660325
Steelers008715

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C) (Partly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 59,823
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers: (FOX) Pat Summerall (play by play), John Madden (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

  • San Francisco – Rice 4 pass from S. Young (Wilkins kick)
  • San Francisco – Safety, B. Young sacked Tomczak in end zone
  • San Francisco – Rice 4 pass from S. Young (Wilkins kick)
  • San Francisco – Owens 20 pass from S. Young (kick failed)
  • Pittsburgh – Bettis 1 run (C. Johnson pass from Tomczak)
  • San Francisco – FG Wilkins 22
  • Pittsburgh – Stewart 42 pass from Tomczak (Johnson kick)

Week 17 (Sunday December 22, 1996): at Carolina Panthers

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1234Total
Steelers0140014
Panthers726318

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Scoring drives:

Standings

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AFC Central
WLTPCTPFPASTK
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers1060.625344257L2
(5) Jacksonville Jaguars970.563325335W5
Cincinnati Bengals880.500372369W3
Houston Oilers880.500345319W1
Baltimore Ravens4120.250371441L3

Playoffs

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Game summaries

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AFC Wild Card Playoff (Sunday December 29, 1996): vs. Indianapolis Colts

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1234Total
Colts0140014
Steelers10382142

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Scoring drives:

  • Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 29
  • Pittsburgh – Stewart 1 run (Johnson kick)
  • Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 50
  • Indianapolis – Daniel 59 interception return (Blanchard kick)
  • Indianapolis – Bailey 9 pass from Harbaugh (Blanchard kick)
  • Pittsburgh – Bettis 1 run (Farquhar pass from Stewart)
  • Pittsburgh- Bettis 1 run (Johnson kick)
  • Pittsburgh – Witman 31 run (Johnson kick)
  • Pittsburgh – Stewart 3 run (Johnson kick)

AFC Divisional Playoff (Sunday January 5, 1997): at New England Patriots

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1234Total
Steelers00303
Patriots1470728

at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Scoring drives:

Honors and awards

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Pro Bowl Representatives

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References

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  1. ^ a b 1996 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  2. ^ 1997 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  3. ^ "1996 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
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