1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season
{{short description|Pittsburgh Steelers 41st US football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL team season
| team = Pittsburgh Steelers
| year = 1973
| record = 10–4
| division_place = 2nd AFC Central
| coach = Chuck Noll
| owner = Art Rooney
| stadium = Three Rivers Stadium
| playoffs = Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Raiders) 14–33
| pro bowlers = {{Collapsible list
|framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
|title = 8
|1 = DT Joe Greene
|2 = DE L. C. Greenwood
|3 = LB Jack Ham
|4 = RB Franco Harris
|5 = LB Andy Russell
|6 = WR Ronnie Shanklin
|7 = G Bruce Van Dyke
|8 = DE Dwight White
}}
| AP All-pros = {{Collapsible list
|framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
|title = 3
|1 = Joe Greene (1st team)
|2 = Roy Gerela (2nd team)
|3 = Jack Ham (2nd team)
}}
| MVP = Ron Shanklin
| uniform =
| shortnavlink = Steelers seasons
}}
The 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 41st season in the National Football League. The team finished second in the AFC Central division, but qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season. The Steelers got off to a terrific start winning eight of their first nine games. However, a costly three game losing streak would put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. The Steelers would recover to win their last two games, but had to settle for a Wild Card berth with a 10–4 record. The Steelers would lose in the playoffs to the Oakland Raiders 33–14 in Oakland.
The 1973 Steelers' pass defense is arguably the greatest in the history of the NFL. Their defensive passer rating—the quarterback passer rating of all opposing quarterbacks throughout the season—was 33.1, an NFL record for the Super Bowl era.
According to Cold Hard Football Facts:[http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/11_3222_Shutdown!_The_greatest_pass_defenses_in_history.html Cold Hard Football Facts: Shutdown! The greatest pass defenses in history]
Pittsburgh's pass-defense numbers that year were stunning. Opposing passers compiled the following stat-line:
- 164 of 359 (45.7%) for 1,923 yards, 5.36 [yards-per-attempt], 11 [touchdowns] and 37 [interceptions]
The figure that leaps screaming off the sheet is the amazing 37 picks in 14 games. The 2009 Jets, by comparison, allowed a puny 8 TDs in 16 games, but hauled in just 17 picks.
Pittsburgh's all-time best pass defense was an equal-opportunity unit: Mike Wagner led the team with 8 INT, but 10 other guys recorded at least one pick. Amazing. Eleven defenders boasted at least one INT for Pittsburgh that season. The entire starting secondary recorded 24 picks alone, and Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount was last on the list: Wagner (8), safety Glen Edwards (6), cornerback John Rowser (6) and Blount (4).
The campaign was chronicled in Roy Blount Jr.'s 1974 book About Three Bricks Shy of a Load. The source of its title was Craig Hanneman whose endearing description of himself and his teammates after the regular season away victory over the Oakland Raiders was "We’re all about three bricks shy of a load."[https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/joe-starkey/2017/12/30/steelers-2017-season-antonio-brown-injury-james-harrison-patriots-al-riveron/stories/201712300031 Starkey, Joe. "The wildest Steelers season there ever was," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Saturday, December 30, 2017.] Retrieved December 8, 2020
Offseason
=NFL Draft=
| class="wikitable" | |||||
| Team | Rd | Pick | Name | Pos | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIT | 1 | 24 | J.T. Thomas | DB | Florida St. |
| PIT | 2 | 50 | Ken Phares | DB | Mississippi St. |
| PIT | 3 | 76 | Roger Bernhardt | G | Kansas |
| PIT | 4 | 102 | Gail Clark | LB | Michigan St. |
| PIT | 5 | 106 | Dave Reavis | T | Arkansas |
| PIT | 5 | 128 | Larry Clark | LB | Northern Illinois |
| PIT | 6 | 140 | Ron Bell | RB | Illinois St. |
| PIT | 6 | 154 | Glenn Scolnik | WR | Indiana |
| PIT | 7 | 180 | Nate Dorsey | WR | Miss Valley St. |
| PIT | 8 | 192 | Loren Toews | LB | California |
| PIT | 8 | 206 | Bill Janssen | T | Nebraska |
| PIT | 9 | 232 | Bracey Bonham | G | North Carolina Central |
| PIT | 10 | 258 | Don Wunderly | DT | Arkansas |
| PIT | 11 | 284 | Bob White | DB | Arizona |
| PIT | 12 | 310 | Willie Lee | RB | Indiana St. |
| PIT | 13 | 336 | Rick Fergerson | WR | Kansas St. |
| PIT | 14 | 362 | Roger Cowan | DE | Stanford |
| PIT | 15 | 388 | Charles Cross | DB | Iowa |
| PIT | 16 | 414 | Glen Nardi | DT | Navy |
| PIT | 17 | 440 | Mike Shannon | DT | Oregon St. |
Personnel
=Staff=
{{NFL final staff
|Year=1973
|TeamName=Pittsburgh Steelers
|BC1=#08214A
|FC1=white
|BDC1=#EEC607
|Front Office=
- President – Arthur J. Rooney
- Vice president – John R. McGinley
- Vice president – Daniel M. Rooney
- Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
- Public relations director – Ed Kiely
- Traveling secretary – James A. Boston
- Controller – Robert P. Quinn
- Publicity director – Joe Gordon
- Ticket manager – Joseph H. Carr
- Director of player personnel – Dick Haley
- Assistant director of player personnel – Bill Nunn
- Director of professional scouting – V. Timothy Rooney
|Head Coaches=
- Head coach – Chuck Noll
|Offensive Coaches=
- Offensive line – Bob Fry
- Offensive backfield – Dick Hoak
- Quarterbacks – Babe Parilli
- Receivers – Lionel Taylor
|Defensive Coaches=
- Defensive coordinator – Bud Carson
- Defensive line – George Perles
- Defensive assistant – Woody Widenhofer
|Strength and Conditioning=
- Strength – Louis Riecke
- Flexibility – Paul Uram
- Team physician, orthopedic – Dr. John Best
- Team Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber
- Team dentist – Dr. Robert Gray
- Trainer – Ralph Berlin
- Assistant trainer – Robert Milie
- Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi
- Field manager – Jack Hart
{{cite book |title=1973 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide}}
}}
=Roster=
{{NFL final roster
|Year=1973
|TeamName=Pittsburgh Steelers
|BC1=black
|FC1=white
|BDC1=#FFB612
|Active=46
|Inactive=1
|PS=1
|Quarterbacks=
{{NFLplayer|12|Terry Bradshaw}}
{{NFLplayer|17|Joe Gilliam}}
{{NFLplayer| 5|Terry Hanratty}}
|Running Backs=
{{NFLplayer|20|Rocky Bleier}}
{{NFLplayer|35|Steve Davis|d=running back}}
{{NFLplayer|33|John Fuqua}}
{{NFLplayer|32|Franco Harris}}
{{NFLplayer|26|Preston Pearson}}
|Wide Receivers=
{{NFLplayer|85|Dave Davis| d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|43|Frank Lewis| d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|83|Barry Pearson}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Ron Shanklin}}
{{NFLplayer|82|Dave Williams|d=wide receiver}}
|Tight Ends=
{{NFLplayer|87|Larry Brown|d=tight end, born 1949}}
{{NFLplayer|89|John McMakin}}
|Offensive Linemen=
{{NFLplayer|50|Jim Clack|C}}
{{NFLplayer|57|Sam Davis|d=American football|G}}
{{NFLplayer|71|Gordon Gravelle|T}}
{{NFLplayer|76|Glen Ray Hines|T}}
{{NFLplayer|77|Mel Holmes|G}}
{{NFLplayer|55|Jon Kolb|T}}
{{NFLplayer|56|Ray Mansfield|C}}
{{NFLplayer|72|Gerry Mullins|G/T}}
{{NFLplayer|66|Bruce Van Dyke|G}}
|Defensive Linemen=
{{NFLplayer|64|Steve Furness|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|75|Joe Greene|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|68|L. C. Greenwood|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|67|Craig Hanneman|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|63|Ernie Holmes|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|74|Tom Keating|d=American football|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|78|Dwight White|DE}}
|Linebackers=
{{NFLplayer|38|Ed Bradley|d=linebacker|MLB}}
{{NFLplayer|53|Henry Davis|d= American football |MLB}}
{{NFLplayer|59| Jack Ham|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|34|Andy Russell|d= American football |OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|51| Loren Toews|rookie=y|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|90|George Webster|d= American football |OLB}}
|Defensive Backs=
{{NFLplayer|47|Mel Blount |CB}}
{{NFLplayer|29|John Dockery|DB}}
{{NFLplayer|27|Glen Edwards|d=safety|FS/PR}}
{{NFLplayer|41|Dennis Meyer|S}}
{{NFLplayer|48|John Rowser|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|26|J. T. Thomas|d=defensive back|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|23|Mike Wagner|SS}}
|Special Teams=
{{NFLplayer|56|Ray Mansfield|LS/PK}}
{{NFLplayer|55|Jon Kolb|LS/P}}
{{NFLplayer|10|Roy Gerela|K}}
{{NFLplayer|39|Bobby Walden|P/H}}
|Reserve Lists=
{{NFLplayer| |Chuck Dicus|WR|IR}}
|Practice Squad=
{{NFLplayer|21|Glenn Scolnik|rookie=y|WR}}
{{cite book |title=1974 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide}}
{{cite book |title=About Three Bricks Shy... and the Load Filled Up}}
}}
Regular season
= Schedule =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Week
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Date !style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Opponent !style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Result !style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Record !style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Venue |
|---|
| style="background:#cfc"
! 1 | September 16 | W 24–10 | 1–0 |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 2 | September 23 | W 33–6 | 2–0 | Three Rivers Stadium |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 3 | September 30 | at Houston Oilers | W 36–7 | 3–0 |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 4 | October 7 | W 38–21 | 4–0 | Three Rivers Stadium |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 5 | October 14 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 7–19 | 4–1 |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 6 | October 21 | W 26–14 | 5–1 | Three Rivers Stadium |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 7 | October 28 | W 20–13 | 6–1 | Three Rivers Stadium |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 8 | {{dow tooltip|November 5, 1973}} | W 21–16 | 7–1 | Three Rivers Stadium |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 9 | November 11 | at Oakland Raiders | W 17–9 | 8–1 |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 10 | November 18 | L 13–23 | 8–2 | Three Rivers Stadium |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 11 | November 25 | at Cleveland Browns | L 16–21 | 8–3 |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 12 | {{dow tooltip|December 3, 1973}} | at Miami Dolphins | L 26–30 | 8–4 |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 13 | December 9 | W 33–7 | 9–4 | Three Rivers Stadium |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 14 | {{dow tooltip|December 15, 1973}} | at San Francisco 49ers | W 37–14 | 10–4 |
| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1972|border=2}}"
|colspan="8"| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. |
= Game summaries =
== Week 1 ==
{{See also|1973 Detroit Lions season}}
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1973|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Detroit Lions (0–0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (0–0)
|date=September 16
|time=4:00 p.m.
|road=Lions
|R1=0 |R2=0 |R3=10 |R4=0
|home=Steelers
|H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=7 |H4=14
|stadium=Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
|attendance=48,913
|weather={{convert|64|F}}; wind {{convert|11|mph|abbr=on}}
|referee=Fred Wyant
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309160pit.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|stats=
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Lions
- Greg Landry
11/27, 219 Yds, TD, 3 INT
8 Rush, 65 Yds - Ron Jessie
3 Rec, 131 Yds, TD
{{Col-2}}
;Steelers
- Terry Bradshaw
15/23, 124 Yds, 2 TD, INT - John Fuqua
26 Rush, 100 Yds - Barry Pearson
6 Rec, 58 Yds
{{Col-end}}
}}
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| Kicker=Roy Gerela
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| Home=3
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| yards=84
| kickresult=good
| Kicker=Mann
| 2pt type=run/pass
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete
| Visitor=7
| Home=10
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| Time=
| Team=Steelers
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| Visitor=10
| Home=17
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| Team=Steelers
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| Receiver=Shanklin
| QB=Bradshaw
| yards=6
| kickresult=good
| Kicker=Gerela
| 2pt type=run/pass
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete
| Visitor=10
| Home=24
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=10|Home=24}}
== Week 2 ==
{{See also|1973 Cleveland Browns season|Browns–Steelers rivalry}}
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1973|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Cleveland Browns (1–0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1–0)
|date=September 23
|time=1:00 p.m.
|road=Browns
|R1=3 |R2=0 |R3=0 |R4=3
|home=Steelers
|H1=10 |H2=6 |H3=10 |H4=7
|stadium=Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|attendance=49,396
|weather={{convert|68|F}}; wind {{convert|14|mph|abbr=on}}
|referee=Tommy Bell
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309230pit.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|stats=
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Browns
- Mike Phipps
15/29, 157 Yds, 3 INT - Leroy Kelly
13 Rush, 39 Yds - Frank Pitts
2 Rec, 33 Yds
{{Col-2}}
;Steelers
- Terry Bradshaw
5/14, 140 Yds, TD, INT - John Fuqua
16 Rush, 80 Yds - Frank Lewis
3 Rec, 92 Yds, 2 TD
{{Col-end}}
}}
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| Time=
| Team=Steelers
| DrivePlays=
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| Kicker=Gerela
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| Home=10
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
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| Time=
| Team=Steelers
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| Home=13
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
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| Time=
| Team=Steelers
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| Home=16
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
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| Time=
| Team=Steelers
| DrivePlays=
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| yards=44
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| Visitor=3
| Home=19
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
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| Time=
| Team=Steelers
| DrivePlays=
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| yards=8
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| Home=26
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| Team=Browns
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| Home=26
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| Time=
| Team=Steelers
| DrivePlays=
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| 2pt type=run/pass
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete
| Visitor=6
| Home=33
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=6|Home=33}}
== Week 3 ==
{{See also|1973 Houston Oilers season}}
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1973|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Pittsburgh Steelers (2–0) at Houston Oilers (0–2)
|date=September 30
|time=2:00 p.m.
|road=Steelers
|R1=3 |R2=3 |R3=13 |R4=17
|home=Oilers
|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=0
|stadium=Astrodome, Houston, Texas
|attendance=39,331
|weather=Indoors (dome)
|referee=Jim Tunney
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309300oti.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|stats=
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Steelers
- Terry Bradshaw
9/17, 159 Yds, TD, 2 INT - John Fuqua
13 Rush, 48 Yds - Frank Lewis
1 Rec, 44 Yds
{{Col-2}}
;Oilers
- Dan Pastorini
14/25, 87 Yds, TD, 2 INT - Bob Gresham
14 Rush, 41 Yds - Billy Parks
7 Rec, 80 Yds
{{Col-end}}
}}
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| Home=7
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| Team=Steelers
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| Team=Steelers
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| Home=7
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| Team=Steelers
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| Kicker=Gerela
| 2pt type=run/pass
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete
| Visitor=36
| Home=7
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=36|Home=7}}
== Week 4 ==
{{See also|1973 San Diego Chargers season}}
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1973|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=San Diego Chargers (1–2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3–0)
|date=October 7
|time=1:00 p.m.
|road=Chargers
|R1=0 |R2=0 |R3=0 |R4=21
|home=Steelers
|H1=17 |H2=21 |H3=0 |H4=0
|stadium=Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|attendance=48,795
|weather={{convert|60|F}} • Wind {{convert|7|mph|abbr=on}}
|referee=Pat Haggerty
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310070pit.htm Pro-Football-Reference]
|stats=
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Chargers
- Dan Fouts
11/21, 174 Yds, TD, INT - Cid Edwards
13 Rush, 94 Yds - Clint Jones
2 Rec, 51 Yds
{{Col-2}}
;Steelers
- Terry Bradshaw
7/16, 99 Yds, TD, INT - Preston Pearson
6 Rush, 64 Yds - Frank Lewis
4 Rec, 61 Yds
{{Col-end}}
}}
Johnny Unitas playing for San Diego is knocked out of the game after completing only 3 of 15 passes for 24 yards and three interceptions.
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| Visitor=0
| Home=24
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| Home=38
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=21|Home=38}}
== Week 5 ==
{{See also|1973 Cincinnati Bengals season|Bengals–Steelers rivalry}}
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1973|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Pittsburgh Steelers (4–0) at Cincinnati Bengals (2–2)
|date=October 14
|time=1:00 p.m.
|road=Steelers
|R1=0 |R2=0 |R3=0 |R4=7
|home=Bengals
|H1=6 |H2=3 |H3=7 |H4=3
|stadium=Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio
|attendance=55,819
|weather={{convert|59|F}} • Wind {{convert|8|mph|abbr=on}}
|referee=Dick Jorgensen
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310140cin.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|stats=
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Steelers
- Terry Bradshaw
9/14, 106 Yds, INT - Preston Pearson
12 Rush, 39 Yds, TD - Ron Shanklin
1 Rec, 67 Yds
{{Col-2}}
;Bengals
- Ken Anderson
9/21, 78 Yds - Boobie Clark
28 Rush, 112 Yds, TD - Isaac Curtis
3 Rec, 46 Yds
{{Col-end}}
}}
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| Visitor=0
| Home=3
}}
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=7|Home=19}}
== Week 6 ==
{{See also|1973 New York Jets season}}
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1973|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=New York Jets (2–3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4–1)
|date=October 21
|time=1:00 p.m. EDT
|road=Jets
|R1=7 |R2=7 |R3=0 |R4=0
|home=Steelers
|H1=0 |H2=9 |H3=3 |H4=14
|stadium=Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|attendance=48,682
|weather={{Convert|50|F|C}} • Wind {{convert|9|mph|abbr=on}}
|referee=John McDonough
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310210pit.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|stats=
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Jets
- Bill Demory
6/15, 84 Yds, TD, 3 INT - John Riggins
15 Rush, 42 Yds, TD - Rich Caster
1 Rec, 28 Yds, TD
{{Col-2}}
;Steelers
- Terry Bradshaw
8/18, 119 Yds, INT - Franco Harris
25 Rush, 102 Yds, TD - Ron Shanklin
3 Rec, 68 Yds, TD
{{Col-end}}
}}
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| Time=
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| kickresult= good
| Kicker=Howfield
| 2pt type=run/pass
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete
| Visitor=7
| Home=0
}}
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| Home=3
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| Home=6
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== Week 7 vs Bengals==
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1973|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Cincinnati Bengals (4–2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5–1)
|date=October 28
|time=4:00 p.m. EDT
|road=Bengals
|R1=0 |R2=6 |R3=0 |R4=7
|home=Steelers
|H1=3 |H2=7 |H3=10 |H4=0
|stadium=Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|attendance=45,761
|weather={{Convert|52|F|C}} • Wind {{Convert|12|mph|km/h knot}}
|referee=Norm Schachter
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310280pit.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|stats=
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Bengals
- Ken Anderson
20/38, 230 Yds, TD, 3 INT - Boobie Clark
15 Rush, 60 Yds
10 Rec, 68 Yds
{{Col-2}}
;Steelers
- Terry Hanratty
4/7, 127 Yds, TD, INT - Franco Harris
21 Rush, 43 Yds - Ron Shanklin
3 Rec, 104 Yds, TD
{{Col-end}}
}}
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| Home=3
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| Home=10
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== Week 8 vs Washington Redskins ==
{{See also|1973 Washington Redskins season}}
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1973|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Washington Redskins (5–2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6–1)
|date={{tooltip|Monday, November 5|Monday}}
|time=9:00 p.m. EDT
|road=Redskins
|R1=3 |R2=3 |R3=3 |R4=7
|home=Steelers
|H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=7
|stadium=Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|attendance=49,220
|weather={{Convert|40|F|C}} • Wind {{Convert|13|mph|km/h knot}}
|referee=Tommy Bell
|TV=ABC
|TVAnnouncers=Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311050pit.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|stats=
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Redskins
- Billy Kilmer
9/22, 76 Yds, TD, 2 INT - Charley Harraway
13 Rush, 63 Yds - Jerry Smith
4 Rec, 34 Yds
{{Col-2}}
;Steelers
- Joe Gilliam
3/10, 71 Yds, TD, 2 INT - Franco Harris
25 Rush, 90 Yds - Barry Pearson
2 Rec, 57 Yds, TD
{{Col-end}}
}}
Joe Gilliam makes Monday Night Football debut
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=16|Home=21}}
== Week 9 at Raiders==
{{See also|1973 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders–Steelers rivalry}}
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1973|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Pittsburgh Steelers (7–1) at Oakland Raiders (5–2–1)
|date=November 11
|time=4:00 p.m. EDT
|road=Steelers
|R1=0 |R2=7 |R3=7 |R4=3
|home=Raiders
|H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=0 |H4=6
|stadium=Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum • Oakland, California
|attendance=47,535
|weather={{Convert|62|F|C}} • Wind {{Convert|16|mph|km/h knot}}
|referee=Bernie Ulman
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311110rai.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|stats=
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Steelers
- Terry Hanratty
6/19, 86 Yds, TD, INT - Franco Harris
20 Rush, 77 Yds, TD - Ron Shanklin
2 Rec, 41 Yds, TD
{{Col-2}}
;Raiders
- Daryle Lamonica
13/31, 236 Yds, TD, 4 INT - Charlie Smith
13 Rush, 74 Yds - Fred Biletnikoff
4 Rec, 105 Yds, TD
{{Col-end}}
}}
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| yards=14
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| Visitor=7
| Home=0
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| yards=40
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| Visitor=7
| Home=3
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| Visitor=14
| Home=3
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| Visitor=17
| Home=3
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| yards=27
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| Visitor=17
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=17|Home=9}}
== Week 10 vs Broncos ==
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1973|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Week Ten: Denver Broncos (4–3–2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (8–1)
|date=November 18, 1973
|time=1:00 p.m.
|road=Broncos
|R1=3 |R2=3 |R3=7 |R4=10
|home=Steelers
|H1=3 |H2=3 |H3=0 |H4=7
|stadium=Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|attendance=48,580
|weather={{Convert|35|F|C}}
|referee=Fred Silva
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311180pit.htm Box Score]
|scoring=
|stats=
}}
{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers
| Float = left
| Visitor = Denver Broncos
| VisitorDisplay = Broncos
| Home = Pittsburgh Steelers
| HomeDisplay = Steelers
| VisPasser = Charley Johnson
| VisPassStats = 13/20, 86 Yds, TD
| VisRusher = Floyd Little
| VisRushStats = 27 Rush, 88 Yds, TD
| VisReceiver = Riley Odoms
| VisReceivingStats = 6 Rec, 47 Yds, TD
| HomePasser = Terry Hanratty
| HomePassStats = 10/19, 217 Yds, TD
| HomeRusher = Franco Harris
| HomeRushStats = 11 Rush, 53 Yds
| HomeReceiver = John McMakin
| HomeReceivingStats = 3 Rec, 64 Yds
}}
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
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| Home=6
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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=23|Home=13}}
{{Clear}}
== Week 11 ==
{{AFB game box start
|Title=
|Visitor=Steelers
|V1=7 |V2=3 |V3=3 |V4=3
|Host=Browns
|H1=7 |H2=7 |H3= 0|H4=7
|Date=November 25
|Location=Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
|StartTime=1:00 p.m.
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=67,773
|Weather=50 F, wind {{convert|15|mph|abbr=on}}
|Referee=Jim Tunney
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
=== Game summary ===
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Shanklin 9 pass from Gilliam (Gerela kick) – Steelers 7–0
- Cleveland – Phipps 1 run (Cockroft kick) – Tie 7–7
- Cleveland – Pruitt 15 pass from Phipps (Cockroft kick) – Browns 14-7
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 24 – Browns 14-10
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 14 – Browns 14-13
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 20 – Steelers 16–14
- Cleveland – Pruitt 19 run (Cockroft kick) – Browns 21–16
== Week 12 (Monday December 3, 1973): at [[Miami Dolphins]] ==
{{AFB game box start
|Title=
|Visitor=Steelers
|V1=0 |V2=3 |V3=7 |V4=16
|Host=Dolphins
|H1= 20|H2=10 |H3=0 |H4=0
|Date=Monday, December 3
|Location=Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
|StartTime=9:00 p.m.
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=68,901
|Weather=75 F, wind {{convert|14|mph|abbr=on}}
|Referee=Ben Dreith
|TVAnnouncers=Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith
|TVStation=ABC
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
=== Game summary ===
Scoring drives:
- Miami – Anderson 27 interception return (Yepremian kick) – Dolphins 7–0
- Miami – FG Yepremian 28 – Dolphins 10–0
- Miami – FG Yepremian 46 – Dolphins 13–0
- Miami – Mandich 2 pass from Griese (Yepremian kick) – Dolphins 20–0
- Miami – Anderson 38 interception return (Yepremian kick) – Dolphins 27–0
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 37 – Dolphins 27–3
- Miami – FG Yepremian 14 – Dolphins 30–3
- Pittsburgh – P. Pearson 5 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Dolphins 30–10
- Pittsburgh – Harris 21 run (Gerela kick) – Dolphins 30–17
- Pittsburgh – B. Pearson 17 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Dolphins 30–24
- Pittsburgh – Safety, White tackled Griese in end zone – Dolphins 30–26
== Week 13 ==
{{AFB game box start
|Title=
|Visitor=Oilers
|V1= 7|V2=0 |V3= 0|V4=0
|Host=Steelers
|H1= 3|H2=14 |H3=10 |H4=6
|Date=December 9
|Location=Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|StartTime=1:00 p.m.
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=38,004
|Weather=34 F, wind {{convert|10|mph|abbr=on}}
|Referee=Bob Frederic
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
=== Game summary ===
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 49 – Steelers 3–0
- Houston – Alston 11 pass from Pastorini (Butler kick) – Oilers 7–3
- Pittsburgh – B. Pearson 15 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Steelers 10–7
- Pittsburgh – Steve Davis 3 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Steelers 17–7
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 31 – Steelers 20–7
- Pittsburgh – Ham recovered fumble in end zone (Gerela kick) – Steelers 27–7
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 20 – Steelers 30–7
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 42 – Steelers 33–7
== Week 14 ==
{{AFB game box start
|Title=
|Visitor=Steelers
|V1= 7|V2=7 |V3=13 |V4=10
|Host=49ers
|H1= 0|H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=7
|Date=December 15
|Location=Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
|StartTime=4:00 p.m.
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=52,252
|Weather=47 F, wind {{convert|5|mph|abbr=on}}
|Referee=Tommy Bell
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
=== Game summary ===
John Brodie's number 12 was retired prior to game.
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Rowser 71 interception return (Gerela kick) – Steelers 7–0
- San Francisco – Hall recovered blocked punt in end zone (Gossett kick) – Tie 7–7
- Pittsburgh – P. Pearson 1 run (Gerela kick) – Steelers 14–7
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 27 – Steelers 17–7
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 27 – Steelers 20–7
- Pittsburgh – Lewis 50 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Steelers 27–7
- Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 35 – Steelers 30–7
- Pittsburgh – Steve Davis 1 run (Gerela kick) – Steelers 37–7
- San Francisco – Atkins 3 run (Gossett kick) – Steelers 37–14
=Standings=
{{1973 AFC Central standings}}
Postseason
= AFC Divisional: @ Oakland Raiders =
{{AFB game box start
|Title=
|Visitor=Steelers
|V1=0 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=7
|Host=Raiders
|H1= 7|H2=3 |H3=13 |H4=10
|Date=Saturday, December 22
|Location=Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
|StartTime=4 p.m.
|TimeZone=EST
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=52,646
|Weather=50 F, wind {{convert|11|mph|abbr=on}}
|Referee=Pat Haggerty
|TVAnnouncers=Jim Simpson and Kyle Rote
|TVStation=NBC
}}
- References: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312220rai.htm]
{{AFB game box end}}
== Scoring Drives ==
- Oakland – Hubbard 1 run (Blanda kick) – Raiders 7–0
- Oakland – FG Blanda 25 – Raiders 10–0
- Pittsburgh – B. Pearson 4 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Raiders 10–7
- Oakland – FG Blanda 31 – Raiders 13–7
- Oakland – FG Blanda 22 – Raiders 16–7
- Oakland – Brown 54 interception return (Blanda kick) – Raiders 23–7
- Oakland – FG Blanda 10 – Raiders 26–7
- Pittsburgh – Lewis 26 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Raiders 26–14
- Oakland – Hubbard 1 run (Blanda kick) – Raiders 33–14
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1973.htm 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season] at Profootballreference.com
- [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1973-pit 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season] statistics at jt-sw.com
{{Pittsburgh Steelers seasons}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers}}
{{1973 NFL season by team}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1973 did 1969 and stealers Pittsburgh Steelers Season}}