1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season

1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Head coach	Chuck Noll
Owner	Art Rooney
Home field	Three Rivers Stadium
Results Record 10–4 Division place 2nd AFC Central Playoff finish Lost Divisional Playoffs (Raiders) 33–14 Pro Bowlers 8 DT Joe Greene DE L. C. Greenwood LB Jack Ham RB Franco Harris LB Andy Russell WR Ronnie Shanklin G Bruce Van Dyke DE Dwight White AP All-Pros 3 Joe Greene (1st team) Roy Gerela (2nd team) Jack Ham (2nd team) Team MVP Ronnie Shanklin Timeline Previous season      Next season < 1972      1974 >

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 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:^[1]

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 Steelers lost to the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.

Staff

1973 Pittsburgh Steelers staff
	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 [2]

Roster

1973 Pittsburgh Steelers roster
	Quarterbacks 12 Terry Bradshaw 17 Joe Gilliam  5 Terry Hanratty Running backs 20 Rocky Bleier 35 Steve Davis KR 33 John Fuqua 32 Franco Harris 26 Preston Pearson Wide receivers 85 Dave Davis 43 Frank Lewis (American football) 83 Barry Pearson 25 Ron Shanklin 82 Dave L. Williams Tight ends 87 Larry Brown 89 John McMakin		Offensive linemen 50 Jim Clack C 57 Sam Davis G 71 Gordon Gravelle T 76 Glen Ray Hines T 77 Mel Holmes G 55 Jon Kolb T 56 Ray Mansfield C 72 Gerry Mullins G/T 66 Bruce Van Dyke G Defensive linemen 64 Steve Furness DT 75 Joe Greene DT 68 L.C. Greenwood DE 67 Craig Hanneman DE 63 Ernie Holmes DT 74 Tom Keating DT 78 Dwight White DE		Linebackers 38 Ed Bradley MLB 53 Henry Davis MLB 59 Jack Ham OLB 34 Andy Russell OLB 51 Loren Toews OLB 90 George Webster OLB Defensive backs 47 Mel Blount CB 29 John Dockery DB 27 Glen Edwards FS/PR 41 Dennis Meyer S 48 John Rowser CB 26 J. T. Thomas CB 23 Mike Wagner SS Special teams 56 Ray Mansfield LS/PK 55 Jon Kolb LS/P 10 Roy Gerela K 39 Bobby Walden P/H		Reserve lists     Chuck Dicus WR (IR) Practice squad 21 Glenn Scolnik WR [3] [4] [5] [6] Rookies in italics 46 Active, 1 Inactive, 1 Practice squad

Depth chart

Defense 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers roster FS 27 Glen Edwards 41 Dennis Meyer ⋅ ROLB MLB LOLB 34 Andy Russell 53 Henry Davis 59 Jack Ham 51 Loren Toews 38 Ed Bradley 90 George Webster ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ SS 23 Mike Wagner ⋅ ⋅ CB 48 John Rowser 24 J. T. Thomas ⋅ DE DT DT DE 78 Dwight White 63 Ernie Holmes 75 Joe Greene 68 L.C. Greenwood 67 Craig Hanneman 74 Tom Keating 64 Steve Furness ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ CB 47 Mel Blount 29 John Dockery ⋅ Offense 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers roster WR 43 Frank Lewis 82 Dave Williams 21 Glenn Scolnik LT LG C RG RT 55 Jon Kolb 57 Sam Davis 56 Ray Mansfield 1Q, 3Q 66 Bruce Van Dyke 76 Glen Ray Hines 71 Gordon Gravelle ⋅ 50 Jim Clack 2Q, 4Q 77 Mel Holmes 72 Gerry Mullins ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ TE 89 John McMakin 87 Larry Brown ⋅ WR 25 Ron Shanklin 83 Barry Pearson 85 Dave Davis QB 12 Terry Bradshaw 5 Terry Hanratty 17 Joe Gilliam RB 33 John Fuqua 20 Rocky Bleier 35 Steve Davis FB 32 Franco Harris 26 Preston Pearson ⋅ Special Teams PK 10 Roy Gerela P 39 Bobby Walden KR 35 Steve Davis PR 27 Glen Edwards LS 55 Jon Kolb H 39 Bobby Walden

Offseason

NFL Draft

Preseason

Schedule

Game summaries

Regular season

Game summaries

Week 1

1 2 3 4 Total Lions 0 0 10 0 10 • Steelers 0 3 7 14 24 Date: September 16 Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 48,913 Referee: Fred Wyant

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 11 3–0
• Pittsburgh – Bradshaw 1 run (Gerela kick)10–0
• Detroit – Jessie 84 pass from Landry (Mann kick)10–7
• Detroit – FG Mann 40 10–10
• Pittsburgh – McMakin 24 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)17–10
• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 6 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)24–10

Week 2

1 2 3 4 Total Browns 3 0 0 3 6 • Steelers 10 6 10 7 33 Date: September 23 Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 49,396 Referee: Tommy Bell

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 12 3–0
• Cleveland – FG Cockroft 43 3–3
• Pittsburgh – Fuqua 4 run (Gerela kick)10–3
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 40 13–3
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 26 16–3
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 44 19–3
• Pittsburgh – Lewis 8 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)26–3
• Cleveland – FG Cockroft 28 26–6
• Pittsburgh – Lewis 53 pass from Hanratty (Gerela kick)33–6

Week 3

1 2 3 4 Total • Steelers 3 3 13 17 36 Oilers 0 7 0 0 7 Date: September 30 Location: Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas Game attendance: 39,331 Game weather: Indoors (dome) Referee: Jim Tunney

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 20 3–0
• Houston – Alston 7 pass from Pastorini (Butler kick)7–3
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 47 7–6
• Pittsburgh – Bradshaw 1 run (kick failed)12–7
• Pittsburgh – Russell 45 interception return (Gerela kick)19–7
• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 26 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)26–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 26 29–7
• Pittsburgh – Edwards 86 interception return (Gerela kick)36–7

Week 4

1 2 3 4 Total Chargers 0 0 0 21 21 • Steelers 17 21 0 0 38 Date: October 7 Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 48,795 Referee: Pat Haggerty

Game summary

Johnny Unitas playing for San Diego is knocked out of the game after completing only 3 of 15 passes for 24 yards and 3 interceptions.

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 12 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)7–0
• Pittsburgh – Bradshaw 1 run (Gerela kick)14–0
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 38 17–0
• Pittsburgh – Steve Davis 1 run (Gerela kick) 24–0
• Pittsburgh – Wagner recovered blocked punt in end zone (Gerela kick)31–0
• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 37 pass from Hanratty (Gerela kick)38–0
• San Diego – LeVias 13 pass from Fouts (Wersching kick)38–7
• San Diego – Jones 3 run (Wersching kick)38–14
• San Diego – Holmes 1 run (Wersching kick)38–21

Week 5

1 2 3 4 Total Steelers 0 0 0 7 7 • Bengals 6 3 7 3 19 Date: October 14 Location: Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio Game attendance: 55,819 Referee: Dick Jorgensen

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann 20 3–0
• Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann 19 6–0
• Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann 20 9–0
• Cincinnati – Clark 3 run (Muhlmann kick)16–0
• Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann 41 19–0
• Pittsburgh – P. Pearson 1 run (Gerela kick)19–7

Week 6

1 2 3 4 Total Jets 7 7 0 0 14 • Steelers 0 9 3 14 26 Date: October 21 Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 48,682 Referee: John McDonough

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• New York Jets – Riggins 1 run (Howfield kick)7–0
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 27 7–3
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 29 7–6
• New York Jets – Caster 28 pass from Demory (Howfield kick) 14–6
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 36 14–9
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 13 14–12
• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 16 pass from Hanratty (Gerela kick)19–14
• Pittsburgh – Harris 2 run (Gerela kick)26–14

Week 7

1 2 3 4 Total Bengals 0 6 0 7 13 • Steelers 3 7 10 0 20 Date: October 28 Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 45,761 Referee: Norm Schachter

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 15 3–0
• Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann 17 3–3
• Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann 41 6–3
• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 51 pass from Hanratty (Gerela kick)10–6
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 18 13–6
• Pittsburgh – Fuqua 1 run (Gerela kick)20–6
• Cincinnati – E. Johnson 16 pass from Anderson (Muhlmann kick) 20–13

Week 8 (Monday November 5, 1973): Washington Redskins

1 2 3 4 Total Redskins 3 3 3 7 16 • Steelers 7 7 0 7 21 Date: November 5 Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 49,220 Referee: Tommy Bell TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith

Game summary

Joe Gilliam makes his Monday night debut.

Scoring Drives:

• Washington – FG Knight 30 3–0
• Pittsburgh – P. Pearson 7 pass from Hanratty (Gerela kick) 7–3
• Washington – FG Knight 12 7–6
• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 24 pass from Hanratty (Gerela kick)14–6
• Washington – FG Knight 16 14–9
• Pittsburgh – B. Pearson 46 pass from Gilliam (Gerela kick) 21–9
• Washington – Brown 17 pass from Kilmer (Knight kick)21–16

Week 9

1 2 3 4 Total • Steelers 0 7 7 3 17 Raiders 0 3 0 6 9 Date: November 11 Location: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California Game attendance: 47,535 Referee: Bernie Ulman

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 14 pass from Hanratty (Gerela kick)7–0
• Oakland – FG Blanda 40 7–3
• Pittsburgh – Harris 1 run (Gerela kick)14–3
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 17 17–3
• Oakland – Biletnikoff 27 pass from Lamonica (snap fumbled)17–9

Week 10

1 2 3 4 Total • Broncos 3 3 7 10 23 Steelers 3 3 0 7 13 Date: November 18 Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 48,580 Referee: Fred Silva

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Denver – FG Turner 32 3–0
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 15 3–3
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 13 6–3
• Denver – FG Turner 11 6–6
• Denver – Little 10 run (Turner kick)13–6
• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 42 pass from Hanratty (Gerela kick)13–13
• Denver – FG Turner 46 16–13
• Denver – Odoms 2 pass from Johnson (Turner kick)23–13

Week 11

1 2 3 4 Total Steelers 7 3 3 3 16 • Browns 7 7 0 7 21 Date: November 25 Location: Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio Game attendance: 67,773 Referee: Jim Tunney

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 9 pass from Gilliam (Gerela kick)7–0
• Cleveland – Phipps 1 run (Cockroft kick)7–7
• Cleveland – Pruitt 15 pass from Phipps (Cockroft kick)7–14
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 24 10–14
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 14 13–14
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 20 16–14
• Cleveland – Pruitt 19 run (Cockroft kick)21–16

Week 12 (Monday December 3, 1973): Miami Dolphins

1 2 3 4 Total Steelers 0 3 7 16 26 • Dolphins 20 10 0 0 30 Date: December 3 Location: Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida Game attendance: 68,901 Referee: Ben Dreith TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Miami – Anderson 27 interception return (Yepremian kick)7–0
• Miami – FG Yepremian 28 10–0
• Miami – FG Yepremian 46 13–0
• Miami – Mandich 2 pass from Griese (Yepremian kick)20–0
• Miami – Anderson 38 interception return (Yepremian kick)27–0
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 37 27–3
• Miami – FG Yepremian 14 30–3
• Pittsburgh – P. Pearson 5 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)30–10
• Pittsburgh – Harris 21 run (Gerela kick)30–17
• Pittsburgh – B. Pearson 17 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) 30–24
• Pittsburgh – Safety, White tackled Griese in end zone 30–26

Week 13

1 2 3 4 Total Oilers 7 0 0 0 7 • Steelers 3 14 10 6 33 Date: December 9 Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 38,004 Referee: Bob Frederic

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 49 3–0
• Houston – Alston 11 pass from Pastorini (Butler kick)7–3
• Pittsburgh – B. Pearson 15 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)10–7
• Pittsburgh – Steve Davis 3 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)17–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 31 20–7
• Pittsburgh – Ham recovered fumble in end zone (Gerela kick)27–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 20 30–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 42 33–7

Week 14

1 2 3 4 Total • Steelers 7 7 13 10 37 49ers 0 7 0 7 14 Date: December 15 Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California Game attendance: 52,252 Referee: Tommy Bell

Game summary

John Brodie's number was retired prior to game

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – Rowser 71 interception return (Gerela kick)7–0
• San Francisco – Hall recovered blocked punt in end zone (Gossett kick)7–7
• Pittsburgh – P. Pearson 1 run (Gerela kick)14–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 27 17–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 27 20–7
• Pittsburgh – Lewis 50 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)27–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 35 30–7
• Pittsburgh – Steve Davis 1 run (Gerela kick)37–7
• San Francisco – Atkins 3 run (Gossett kick)37–14

Standings

AFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
Cincinnati Bengals	10	4	0	.714	286	231	W-6
Pittsburgh Steelers	10	4	0	.714	347	210	W-2
Cleveland Browns	7	5	2	.571	234	255	L-2
Houston Oilers	1	13	0	.071	199	447	L-6

Postseason

Game summaries

Divisional

1 2 3 4 Total Steelers 0 7 0 7 14 • Raiders 7 3 13 10 33 Date: December 23 Location: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California Game attendance: 50,094 Referee: Pat Haggerty

Game summary

Scoring Drives:

• Oakland – Hubbard 1 run (Blanda kick)7–0
• Oakland – FG Blanda 25 10–0
• Pittsburgh – B. Pearson 4 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)10–7
• Oakland – FG Blanda 31 13–7
• Oakland – FG Blanda 22 16–7
• Oakland – Brown 54 interception return (Blanda kick)23–7
• Oakland – FG Blanda 10 26–7
• Pittsburgh – Lewis 26 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)26–14
• Oakland – Hubbard 1 run (Blanda kick)33–14

References

v t e Pittsburgh Steelers seasons 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Bold indicates Super Bowl victory

v t e Pittsburgh Steelers Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates Founded in 1933 Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The franchise History All-Time Team Seasons Logos and uniforms Coaches Players Quarterbacks First-round draft picks Statistics Stadiums Home fields Forbes Field Pitt Stadium Three Rivers Stadium Heinz Field Training facilities Rooney Field Point Stadium UPMC Sportsplex Chuck Noll Field Culture Football in Western PA Rooney family Myron Cope Steeler Nation Terrible Towel Steel Curtain Right Here, Right Now Renegade Right Here We Go Black and Yellow YinzCam Lore Steelers lore J.P. Rooneys Pennsylvania Keystoners The Steagles Card-Pitt Steelerettes Y. A. Tittle Photo Immaculate Reception Black Sunday Fighting Back 1995 AFC Title game The Chief 3:16 Game Rivalries Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Tennessee Titans Media KDKA-TV WPCW-TV Root Sports Pittsburgh Edmund Nelson Bob Pompeani Radio Network WDVE-FM WBGG-AM Bill Hillgrove Tunch Ilkin Craig Wolfley Head coaches Douds DiMeolo Bach McNally Kiesling Bell Donelli Kiesling Leonard Sutherland Michelosen Bach Kiesling Parker Nixon Austin Noll Cowher Tomlin Division championships (20) 1972 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1983 1984 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 2001 2002 2004 2007 2008 2010 Super Bowl appearances (8) IX X XIII XIV XXX XL XLIII XLV League championships (6) 1974 1975 1978 1979 2005 2008 Retired numbers 70 Numbers no longer issued 1 12 32 36 52 58 59 63 75 86 Hall of Fame members Players Blount Bradshaw Butler Dawson Dudley Greene Ham Harris Johnson Lambert Layne Stallworth Stautner Swann Webster Woodson Coaches and administration Bell Kiesling Noll Art Rooney Dan Rooney Current league affiliations League National Football League Conference American Football Conference Division North Division   Seasons (81) 1930s 1930 . 1931 . 1932 . 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940s 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950s 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960s 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970s 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980s 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000s 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010s 2010 2011 2012 2013

v t e 1973 NFL season AFC East Central West East Central West NFC Baltimore Cincinnati Denver Dallas Chicago Atlanta Buffalo Cleveland Kansas City NY Giants Detroit Los Angeles Miami Houston Oakland Philadelphia Green Bay New Orleans New England Pittsburgh San Diego St. Louis Minnesota San Francisco NY Jets Washington 1973 NFL Draft NFL Playoffs Pro Bowl Super Bowl VIII