Patriots–Steelers rivalry

The Steelers initially dominated the rivalry, winning 10 of its first 13 meetings with the Patriots. But in the 1996 AFC Divisional Round, the Patriots routed the Steelers 28–3 at Foxboro Stadium, ending Pittsburgh's five-game winning streak against New England. It also began a stretch where the Patriots won 14 of the next 20 meetings with the Steelers, including four of five postseason matchups. The Patriots would go on to reach and then lose Super Bowl XXXI against the Green Bay Packers.{{cite web|author=Austin Murphy/SI |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/01/13/a-souper-sunday-the-steelers-were-in-a-fog-against-the-patriots-who-beat-them-at-their-own-game |title=A Souper Sunday: The Steelers Were in a Fog Against the Patriots, Who Beat Them at Their Own Game |publisher=Sports Illustrated |access-date=2020-12-11}}{{cite web|author=Bryan DeArdo |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-vs-patriots-history-six-most-memorable-games-ahead-of-their-week-1-showdown/ |title=Steelers vs. Patriots history: Six most memorable games ahead of their Week 1 showdown |work=CBS Sports |date=6 September 2019 |access-date=2021-08-30}}{{cite web|author=Eric Dockett |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/Top-Pittsburgh-Steelers-Rivals |title=Top 10 Pittsburgh Steelers Rivals of All Time |date=5 July 2021 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |access-date=2021-08-30}} The following year, also in the divisional round, the Steelers exacted revenge at Three Rivers Stadium, winning by a 7–6 score to reach their third AFC championship game in four years. This was also the only playoff meeting in which the winner did not eventually advance to the Super Bowl, as the Steelers lost to the eventual champion Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game. Earlier that season, the Steelers overcame a 14–0 deficit to beat the Patriots on the road 24–21 in overtime. In that game, quarterback Kordell Stewart managed a game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter culminating in a touchdown to Mark Bruener and a two-point conversion to Yancey Thigpen. In overtime, placekicker Norm Johnson won the game with a 31-yard field goal. The win gave the Steelers a first-round bye and ensured a home game in the divisional round.{{cite web|author=Bryan Anthony Davis |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-features-news-blog-long-form/2018/2/15/17015144/steelers-throwback-thursday-12-13-1997-mayhem-in-massachusetts-patriots-nfl-tbt-new-england |title=Steelers Throwback Thursday 12/13/1997: Mayhem in Massachusetts |date=15 February 2018 |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=2021-08-31}}

In the 2001 season, the Steelers finished with the top seed in the AFC at 13–3. Meanwhile, the Patriots overcame an early-season injury to Drew Bledsoe, and led by then-second year quarterback Tom Brady and coached by Bill Belichick, rallied to finish second at 11–5. The two teams met in the AFC championship game at Heinz Field, and with Bledsoe replacing Brady due to injury, the Patriots upset the Steelers 24–17 and went on to win their first Super Bowl.

The 2004 season saw the emergence of Ben Roethlisberger as the Steelers' starting quarterback. En route to a 15–1 season, Roethlisberger and the Steelers ended the Patriots' record 21-game winning streak on October 31, taking home a 34-20 victory. The Steelers entered the AFC championship game having won all 15 games Roethlisberger started in his rookie season. However, the streak ended at home as New England defeated Pittsburgh 41–27 en route to winning their third Super Bowl championship. The defeat also prevented the Steelers from facing their in-state rival Philadelphia Eagles, who had clinched the NFC championship.

The Patriots and Steelers would not meet in the postseason again until 2016. Between those playoff meetings, the Steelers made three Super Bowl appearances and won two (Super Bowl XL and XLIII), while the Patriots also made three Super Bowls but won only once (Super Bowl XLIX). Facing each other at Gillette Stadium in the AFC championship game, the Patriots again routed the Steelers 36–17 and went on to win their fifth Super Bowl.{{cite news|last=Shpigel|first=Ben|title=Tom Brady and Patriots Overwhelm Steelers and Advance to Super Bowl LI|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/22/sports/football/new-england-patriots-super-bowl-pittsburgh-steelers.html|access-date=August 30, 2021|work=The New York Times|date=January 22, 2017|location=Foxborough, Massachusetts}} The Patriots would win their sixth Super Bowl two seasons later, tying the Steelers with the most Super Bowl championships.

{{Game log start|style={{NFLPrimaryStyle}}|title=New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Season-by-Season Results}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}};|title=1970s (Steelers, 3–1)| Season| Results | Location| {{nowrap|Overall series}}| Notes}}

|-

| {{nfly|1972}}

| style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
33–3

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
1–0

| First meeting in the series. Most lopsided Steelers win in the series.

|-

| {{nfly|1974}}

| style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
21–17

| Schaefer Stadium

| Steelers
2–0

| Steelers win Super Bowl IX.

|-

| {{nfly|1976}}

|style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots 1971thru1992}}|Patriots
30–27

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
2–1

|

|-

| {{nfly|1979}}

|style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
{{nowrap|16–13(OT)}}

| Schaefer Stadium

| Steelers
3–1

| Steelers win Super Bowl XIV.

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}};|title=1980s (Steelers, 3–2)| Season| Results| Location| {{nowrap|Overall series}}| Notes}}

|-

| {{nfly|1981}}

| style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
{{nowrap|27–21(OT)}}

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
4–1

|

|-

| {{nfly|1982}}

| style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
37–14

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
5–1

|

|-

| {{nfly|1983}}

|style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots 1971thru1992}}|Patriots
28–23

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
5–2

|

|-

| {{nfly|1986}}

|style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots 1971thru1992}}|Patriots
34–0

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
5–3

| Most lopsided Patriots win in the series. Also the largest margin of victory in the series.

|-

| {{nfly|1989}}

|style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
28–10

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
6–3

|

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}};|title=1990s (Steelers, 6–2)| Season| Results| Location| {{nowrap|Overall series}}| Notes}}

|-

| {{nfly|1990}}

| style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
24–3

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
7–3

|

|-

| {{nfly|1991}}

| style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
20–6

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
8–3

| Final game for Chuck Noll in this series.

|-

| {{nfly|1993}}

|style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
17–14

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
9–3

|

|-

| {{nfly|1995}}

|style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
41–27

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
10–3

| Steelers lose Super Bowl XXX.

|-

! 1996 playoffs

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots 1993thru1999}}|Patriots
28–3

! Foxboro Stadium

! Steelers
10–4

! AFC Divisional Round. First postseason meeting in the series. Patriots host first playoff game since 1978. Largest margin of victory in a playoff game in the series. This was the only Patriots' home victory over the Steelers prior to the Tom Brady era. Patriots lose Super Bowl XXXI.

|-

| {{nfly|1997}}

|style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
{{nowrap|24–21(OT)}}

| Foxboro Stadium

| Steelers
11–4

| Final meeting at Foxboro Stadium.

|-

! 1997 playoffs

!style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
7–6

! Three Rivers Stadium

! Steelers
12–4

! AFC Divisional Round. Kordell Stewart's 40-yard touchdown run in the first quarter proved to be the winning score. Most recent NFL playoff game in which neither team scored at least 10 points.

|-

| {{nfly|1998}}

|style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots 1993thru1999}}|Patriots
23–9

| Three Rivers Stadium

| Steelers
12–5

| Final meeting at Three Rivers Stadium.

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}};|title=2000s (Patriots, 5–2)| Season| Results| Location| {{nowrap|Overall series}}| Notes}}

|-

! 2001 playoffs

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}|Patriots
24–17

! Heinz Field

! Steelers
12–6

! AFC Championship Game. First meeting at Heinz Field. First start in the series for Tom Brady. Later replaced by Drew Bledsoe due to injury. Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVI.

|-

| {{nfly|2002}}

|style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}|Patriots
30–14

| Gillette Stadium

| Steelers
12–7

| First meeting at Gillette Stadium.

|-

| {{nfly|2004}}

|style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
34–20

| Heinz Field

| Steelers
13–7

| First start in the series for Ben Roethlisberger. Steelers end Patriots' record 21-game winning streak.

|-

! 2004 playoffs

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}|Patriots
41–27

! Heinz Field

! Steelers
13–8

! AFC Championship Game. Patriots win Super Bowl XXXIX.

|-

| {{nfly|2005}}

|style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}|Patriots
23–20

| Heinz Field

| Steelers
13–9

| Steelers win Super Bowl XL.

|-

| {{nfly|2007}}

|style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}|Patriots
34–13

| Gillette Stadium

| Steelers
13–10

| Patriots complete 16–0 regular season. Patriots lose Super Bowl XLII.

|-

| {{nfly|2008}}

|style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
33–10

| Gillette Stadium

| Steelers
14–10

| Steelers' first win at Gillette Stadium. Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII.

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}};|title=2010s (Patriots, 7–2)| Season| Results| Location| {{nowrap|Overall series}}| Notes}}

|-

| {{nfly|2010}}

| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}| Patriots
39–26

| Heinz Field

| Steelers
14–11

| Steelers lose Super Bowl XLV.

|-

| {{nfly|2011}}

| style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
25–17

| Heinz Field

| Steelers
15–11

| Patriots lose Super Bowl XLVI.

|-

| {{nfly|2013}}

| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}| Patriots
55–31

| Gillette Stadium

| Steelers
15–12

| Highest scoring game in the series.

|-

| {{nfly|2015}}

| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}| Patriots
28–21

| Gillette Stadium

| Steelers
15–13

| NFL Kickoff Game.

|-

| {{nfly|2016}}

| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}| Patriots
27–16

| Heinz Field

| Steelers
15–14

|

|-

! 2016 playoffs

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}| Patriots
36–17

! Gillette Stadium

! Tied
15–15

! AFC Championship Game. Last postseason meeting to date. Patriots surpass the Steelers for most Super Bowl appearances. Patriots win Super Bowl LI.

|-

| {{nfly|2017}}

| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}| Patriots
27–24

| Heinz Field

| Patriots
16–15

| Patriots take first lead in the series. In the closing seconds, Jesse James of the Steelers appeared to have scored a go-ahead touchdown that would have clinched the AFC's #1 seed, but after review, the call was overturned ruling that Jesse James didn't maintain control of the ball. Two plays later, Duron Harmon's interception of Ben Roethlisberger sealed the win for the Patriots, who would instead finish as the AFC's #1 seed. Patriots lose Super Bowl LII.

|-

| {{nfly|2018}}

| style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers}}|Steelers
17–10

| Heinz Field

| Tied
16–16

| Patriots win Super Bowl LIII.

|-

| {{nfly|2019}}

| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}| Patriots
33–3

| Gillette Stadium

| Patriots
17–16

| Final start in the series for Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger.

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}};|title=2020s (Patriots, 2–0)|Season|Results|Location|{{nowrap|Overall series}}|Notes}}

|-

| {{nfly|2022}}

| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}| Patriots
17–14

| Acrisure Stadium

| Patriots
18–16

| First start in the series for Mac Jones and Mitchell Trubisky.

|-

| {{nfly|2023}}

| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}| Patriots
21–18

| Acrisure Stadium

| Patriots
19–16

| Final game for Bill Belichick in this series.

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=n|style={{NFLPrimaryStyle}};|title=Summary of Results| Season| Season series| at New England Patriots| at Pittsburgh Steelers| Notes}}

|-

| Regular season

| {{nowrap|Tie 15–15}}

| Patriots 5–4

| Steelers 11–10

|

|-

| Postseason

| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}|{{nowrap|Patriots 4–1}}

| Patriots 2–0

| Patriots 2–1

| AFC Divisional: 1996, 1997
AFC Championship: 2001, 2004, 2016

|-

| Regular and postseason

| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}|{{nowrap|Patriots 19–16}}

| Patriots 7–4

| Tie 12–12

|

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log end}}

• National Football League rivalries

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{{New England Patriots}}

{{Pittsburgh Steelers}}

{{NFL rivalries}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Patriots-Steelers rivalry}}

Category:NFL rivalries

Category:New England Patriots

Category:Pittsburgh Steelers

Category:New England Patriots rivalries

Category:Pittsburgh Steelers rivalries