1995 Pittsburgh Steelers season

The 1995 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 63rd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL).

This season saw the Steelers return to the Super Bowl for the first time in sixteen years (Super Bowl XIV). The team's 11–5 finish was good enough for the AFC Central championship and the second seed in the conference.

For the second consecutive season, Pittsburgh hosted the AFC Championship game, by virtue of the Indianapolis Colts' upset of the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Steelers won the conference championship game, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl in a matchup of teams that were looking to join the San Francisco 49ers as the only other team (at the time) to win five Super Bowls. It was the first time in three Super Bowl meetings that the Steelers had lost to the Cowboys, and also their first Super Bowl loss overall. Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher became (at the time) the youngest head coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl.

After the Super Bowl loss, quarterback Neil O'Donnell signed as a free agent with the New York Jets. The Steelers would not return to the Super Bowl until ten years later.

Week 1 (Sunday September 3, 1995): vs. Detroit Lions
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


 * Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
 * Game weather: 78 F (Sunny)
 * Game attendance: 58,002
 * Referee: Tom White
 * TV announcers: (FOX) Kevin Harlan (play by play), Jerry Glanville (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 39
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 47
 * Detroit – Perriman 5 pass from Mitchell (Hanson kick)
 * Detroit – FG Hanson 43
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 5 run (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run (Johnson kick)
 * Detroit – Moore 27 pass from Mitchell (Hanson kick)
 * Detroit – FG Hanson 36
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 31

Week 2 (Sunday September 10, 1995): at Houston Oilers
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas


 * Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
 * Game weather: Dome
 * Game attendance: 44,122
 * Referee: Bob McElwee
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Dan Hicks (play by play), Tunch Ilkin (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


 * Pittsburgh – Hastings 72 punt return (Johnson kick)
 * Houston – FG Del Greco 43
 * Pittsburgh – Bruener 15 pass from Tomczak (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 43
 * Pittsburgh – McAfee 22 run (Johnson kick)
 * Houston – Chandler 1 run (Del Greco kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Lake 32 interception return (Johnson kick)
 * Houston – Thomas 6 run (Del Greco kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 40

Week 3 (Monday September 18, 1995): at Miami Dolphins
at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, Florida


 * Game time: 9:00 pm EDT
 * Game weather:
 * Game attendance: 72,874
 * Referee: Larry Nemmers
 * TV announcers: (ABC) Al Michaels (play by play), Frank Gifford & Dan Dierdorf (color commentators), Lynn Swann (sideline reporter)

Scoring drives:


 * Miami – FG Stoyanovich 37
 * Miami – Parmalee 2 run (Stoyanovich kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 40
 * Miami – Kirby 28 pass from Marino (Stoyanovich kick)
 * Miami – FG Stoyanovich 39
 * Miami – FG Stoyanovich 21
 * Pittsburgh – Mills 27 pass form Miller (Johnson kick)

Week 4 (Sunday September 24, 1995): vs. Minnesota Vikings
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


 * Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
 * Game weather: 63 F (Partly Cloudy)
 * Game attendance: 57,853
 * Referee: Gordon McCarter
 * TV announcers: (FOX) Kenny Albert (play by play), Anthony Muñoz (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 32
 * Minnesota – R. Smith 58 run (Reveiz kick)
 * Minnesota – FG Reveiz 33
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 35
 * Minnesota – Fuller 12 fumble return (Reveiz kick)
 * Minnesota – Carter 18 pass from Moon (Reveiz kick)
 * Minnesota – Thomas 45 lateral from Del Rio (Reveiz kick)
 * Minnesota – FG Reveiz 40
 * Pittsburgh – Pegram 5 run (run failed)
 * Pittsburgh – Thigpen 42 pass from Miller (pass failed)
 * Minnesota – Carter 22 pass from Moon (Reveiz kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Pegram 1 run (run failed)

Week 5 (Sunday October 1, 1995): vs. San Diego Chargers
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


 * Game time: 4:00 pm EDT
 * Game weather: 77 F (Sunny)
 * Game attendance: 57,012
 * Referee: Gerald Austin
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Dick Enberg (play by play), Phil Simms & Paul Maguire (color commentators)

Scoring drives:


 * Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – W. Williams 63 interception return (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Mays 32 interception return (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 25
 * San Diego – Means 13 run (pass failed)
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 2 run (Johnson kick)
 * San Diego – Martin 19 pass from Humphries (Carney kick)
 * San Diego – FG Carney 28

Week 6 (Sunday October 8, 1995): at Jacksonville Jaguars
at Alltell Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida


 * Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
 * Game weather:
 * Game attendance: 72,042
 * Referee: Mike Carey
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), Beasley Reece (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


 * Jacksonville – Tillman 10 pass from Brunell (Hollis kick)
 * Jacksonville – Stewart 6 run (Hollis kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Avery 18 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Jacksonville – FG Hollis 53
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 41
 * Jacksonville – FG Hollis 32
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 19
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 22

Week 8 (Thursday October 19, 1995): vs. Cincinnati Bengals
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


 * Game time: 8:00 pm EDT
 * Game weather: 63 F (Clear)
 * Game attendance: 56,684
 * Referee: Gary Lane
 * TV announcers: (TNT) Verne Lundquist (play by play), Pat Haden (color commentator), Craig Sager (sideline reporter)

Scoring drives:


 * Cincinnati – Scott 47 pass from Blake (Pelfrey kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 25
 * Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 31
 * Cincinnati – To. McGee 12 pass from Blake (Pelfrey kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 28
 * Cincinnati – Pickens 41 pass from Blake (Pelfrey kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 38
 * Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 23
 * Pittsburgh – O'Donnell To Thigpen 60 yard touchdown

Week 9 (Sunday October 29, 1995): vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


 * Game time: 1:00 pm EST
 * Game weather: 48 F (Partly Cloudy)
 * Game attendance: 54,516
 * Referee: Tom White
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), Beasley Reece (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


 * Pittsburgh – Pegram 6 run (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Thigpen 15 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Williams 6 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Jacksonville – Mitchell 16 pass from Brunell (Hollis kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 36

Week 10 (Sunday November 5, 1995): at Chicago Bears
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois


 * Game time: 4:00 pm EST
 * Game weather:
 * Game attendance: 61,838
 * Referee: Howard Roe
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Dick Enberg (play by play), Phil Simms & Paul Maguire (color commentators)

Scoring drives:


 * Chicago – FG Butler 40
 * Pittsburgh – Pegram 1 run (Johnson kick)
 * Chicago – Conway 6 pass from Kramer (Butler kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 40
 * Pittsburgh – Pegram 7 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Chicago – Carter 12 pass from Kramer (Butler kick)
 * Chicago – Wetnight 14 pass from Kramer (Butler kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 46
 * Chicago – FG Butler 27
 * Pittsburgh – Pegram 6 run (Johnson kick)
 * Chicago – Minter 2 interception return (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Mills 11 pass form O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 24

Week 11 (Monday November 13, 1995): vs. Cleveland Browns
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


 * Game time: 9:00 pm EST
 * Game weather: 34 F (Fog)
 * Game attendance: 58,675
 * Referee: Ron Blum
 * TV announcers: (ABC) Al Michaels (play by play), Frank Gifford & Dan Dierdorf (color commentators), Lynn Swann (sideline reporter)

Scoring drives:


 * Pittsburgh – Mills 2 pass from Stewart (Johnson kick)
 * Cleveland – FG Stover 29
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 38
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 34
 * Pittsburgh – Thigpen 9 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)

Week 12 (Sunday November 19, 1995): at Cincinnati Bengals
at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio


 * Game time: 1:00 pm EST
 * Game weather:
 * Game attendance: 54,636
 * Referee: Bob McElwee
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Dick Enberg (play by play), Phil Simms & Paul Maguire (color commentators)

Scoring drives:


 * Cincinnati – Scott 4 pass from Blake (Pelfrey kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 50
 * Cincinnati – Blake 1 run (Pelfrey kick)
 * Cincinnati – Pickens 1 pass from Blake (Pelfrey kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Mills 42 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 27
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 26
 * Cincinnati – McGee 20 pass from Blake (Pelfrey kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Hastings 15 pass from O'Donnell (Pegram run)
 * Pittsburgh – Stewart 71 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 3 run (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 8 run (Johnson kick)

Week 13 (Sunday November 26, 1995): at Cleveland Browns
at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio


 * Game time: 4:00 pm EST
 * Game weather:
 * Game attendance: 67,269
 * Referee: Dick Hantak
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Marv Albert (play by play), Phil Simms & Paul Maguire (color commentators)

Scoring drives:


 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 33
 * Pittsburgh – Bruener 12 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Cleveland – FG Stover 44
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run (Johnson kick)
 * Cleveland – Jackson 11 pass from Testaverde (Stover kick)
 * Cleveland – Testaverde 1 run (Stover kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 27

Week 14 (Sunday December 3, 1995): vs. Houston Oilers
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


 * Game time: 1:00 pm EST
 * Game weather: 52 F (Light Rain)
 * Game attendance: 56,013
 * Referee: Red Cashion
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Marv Albert (play by play), Cris Collinsworth (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


 * PIttsburgh – Thigpen 33 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Houston – Sanders 76 pass from Chandler (Del Greco kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Bruener 7 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 30 run (Johnson kick)

Week 15 (Sunday December 10, 1995): at Oakland Raiders
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California


 * Game time: 4:00 pm EST
 * Game weather:
 * Game attendance: 53,516
 * Referee: Larry Nemmers
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Dick Enberg (play by play), Phil Simms & Paul Maguire (color commentators)

Scoring drives:


 * Pittsburgh – Mills 37 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 41
 * Oakland – Bruce 1 interception return (Jaeger kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 35
 * Pittsburgh – Mills 14 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Oakland – FG Jaeger 39
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 32
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 20
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 22

Week 16 (Saturday December 16, 1995): vs. New England Patriots
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


 * Game time: 12:30 pm EST
 * Game weather: 38 F (Sunny)
 * Game attendance: 57,158
 * Referee: Bernie Kukar
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Tom Hammond (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


 * New England – FG Bahr 23
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 32
 * New England – FG Bahr 22
 * Pittsburgh – Thigpen 14 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Buckner 46 fumble return (Johnson kick)
 * New England – Coates 6 pass from Bledsoe (run failed)
 * Pittsburgh – Stewart 22 run (Johnson kick)
 * New England – Coates 6 pass from Bledsoe (run failed)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 32
 * New England – Martin 22 pass from Bledsoe (Meggett pass from Bledsoe)
 * Pittsburgh – Mills 62 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Oldham 23 fumble return (Johnson kick)

Week 17 (Sunday December 24, 1995): at Green Bay Packers
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin


 * Game time: 1:00 pm EST
 * Game weather:
 * Game attendance: 60,649
 * Referee: Jerry Markbreit
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Charlie Jones (play by play), Randy Cross (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


 * Green Bay – Bennett 9 run (Jacke kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 33
 * Green Bay – Brooks 19 pass from Favre (Jacke kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Mills 8 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Green Bay – Chmura 1 pass from Favre (Jacke kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 25
 * Green Bay – FG Jacke 47
 * Pittsburgh – Lester 2 run (pass failed)

AFC Divisional Playoff (Saturday January 6, 1996): vs. Buffalo Bills
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


 * Game time: 12:30 pm EST
 * Game weather: 18 F (Cloudy)
 * Game attendance: 59,072
 * Referee: Larry Nemmers
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Marv Albert (play by play), Cris Collinsworth (color commentator), Jim Gray (sideline reporter)

Scoring drives:


 * Pittsburgh – Williams 1 run (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Mills 10 pass form O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 45
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 38
 * Buffalo – Thomas 1 run (Christie kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 34
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 39
 * Buffalo – Cline 2 pass from Van Pelt (Christie kick)
 * Buffalo – Thomas 9 pass from Kelly (Christie kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 13 run (Johnson kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 2 run (Johnson kick)

AFC Championship game (Sunday January 14, 1996): vs. Indianapolis Colts
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


 * Game time: 12:30 pm EST
 * Game weather: 44 F (Sunny)
 * Game attendance: 61,062
 * Referee: Bernie Kukar
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Dick Enberg (play by play), Phil Simms & Paul Maguire (color commentators), Jim Gray & Will McDonough (sideline reporters)

Scoring drives:


 * Indianapolis – FG Blanchard 34
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 31
 * Indianapolis – FG Blanchard 36
 * Pittsburgh – Stewart 5 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Indianapolis – FG Blanchard 37
 * Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 36
 * Indianapolis – Turner 47 pass from Harbaugh (Blanchard kick)
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run (Johnson kick)

Super Bowl XXX (Sunday January 28, 1996): vs. Dallas Cowboys
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona


 * Game time: 6:20 pm EST/4:20 pm PST
 * Game weather: 68 F (Sunny)
 * Game attendance: 76,347
 * Referee: Red Cashion
 * TV announcers: (NBC) Dick Enberg (play by play), Phil Simms & Paul Maguire (color commentators), Jim Gray & Will McDonough (sideline reporters)

Scoring drives:


 * Dallas – FG Boniol 42
 * Dallas – Novacek 3 pass from Aikman (Boniol kick)
 * Dallas – FG Boniol 35
 * Pittsburgh – Thigpen 6 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick)
 * Dallas – E. Smith 1 run (Boniol kick)
 * Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson
 * Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run (Johnson kick)
 * Dallas – E. Smith 4 run (Boniol kick)

Pro Bowl Representatives
See: 1996 Pro Bowl


 * No. 37 Carnell Lake-Cornerback/Safety
 * No. 63 Dermontti Dawson-Center
 * No. 82 Yancey Thigpen-Wide Receiver
 * No. 91 Kevin Greene-Outside Linebacker
 * No. 95 Greg Lloyd-Outside Linebacker