The Pittsburgh Steelers are famous for giving their fans heart attacks week after week, only to somehow escape the madness with a record above .500 and a playoff spot. The consistency of this fact is maddening to Steeler Nation, and yet we tune in every week to give ourselves hair loss and heart palpitations. It's a ritual, with huge ups and horrifyingly low downs, and we wouldn't give it up for the world. Some say we're crazy, and I'd have to agree.
Occasionally, though, it's much more of a cakewalk.
There are certain golden nuggets of games that fans can relax their shoulders, lean back in their chair, and truly enjoy the company of food, family, and football without having to worry about that one bad mistake, that one missed call, or that one costly fumble. Steeler Nation revels in these days, because in the NFL, they're pretty hard to come by.
Here are the top five largest margins of victory in Steelers history. You'll find a stat sheet for each game in the link attached to the score. Off we go:
Honorable Mention: 12/5/2005 - Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland, 41-0
via cleveland.com
Poor Charlie Frye. The Cleveland Browns signal-caller would get smashed into the dirt a total of 8 times en-route to an absolute monstrosity of a game. The Steelers would rack up 457 yards and 5 touchdowns of total offense. Needless to say, long-time Steelers kicker, Jeff Reed was pretty busy on this December day. The Steelers could do no wrong against their AFC North rivals.
5) 12/5/1976 - Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay, 42-0
via si.com
Exactly 29 years to the day before Ben Roethlisberger put on a clinic against the Browns, Rocky Bleier would give the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a headache and a half with 118 yards and 3 touchdowns. The hapless 0-13 Bucs were defenseless against the Super Bowl winning Steel Curtain defense, with 4 total turnovers proving once again that, yes, defense wins championships (especially in the 70's). The 1976 Steelers squad will go down as one of the most dominating in history, and this game is a picturesque version of that.
4) 9/8/1985 - Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis, 45-3
via ffastronauts.com
At least they got on the board?
The 1985 Steelers were nothing special (they would go on to finish 7-9), but they certainly looked like a powerhouse on this NFL opening day. Mark Malone and Louis Lipps had a special connection during this game, racking up 3 total touchdowns. Malone, however, would share the love, throwing for 287 yards and 6 scores (including a rushing touchdown), proving yet again that Mark Malone is the best quarterback in the history of the Steelers… kidding.
3) 9/12/1999 - Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland, 43-0
via steelers.com
Cleveland again, no surprise there; this was their first inaugural game since leaving the city back in 1995. Tim Couch was poised to be the savior of Browns football, but we know how that turned out (a 2-14 season and the title of "bust" following him everywhere he went). Steeler Nation also got their hopes up in 1999, although they would fall short at a lowly 6-10.
This game featured noted jack-of-all-trades Kordell Stewart combining for 208 yards and 2 touchdowns, although this game also had contributions from the likes of Mike Tomczak, Richard Huntley, and Hines Ward. Combined with 2 interceptions thrown by Browns quarterback tandem Tim Couch and Ty Detmer, the Steelers would spoil the welcome-back party in Cleveland.
2) 11/7/1976 - Pittsburgh vs. Kansas City, 45-0
via sophiakhetrinagar.in
Zero passing game to be found in this 70's match-up. The legendary 1976 Steel Curtain defense is found twice on this list, and for good reason: they completely enveloped the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Mike Livingston, who would throw 4 interceptions in an ugly loss. Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw fared only slightly better, throwing for 132 yards, a single touchdown, and 1 interception. The real effort came from the likes of Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, and Jack Delopaine, who combined for a whopping 330 yards and 5 scores.
1) 11/30/1952 - Pittsburgh vs. New York, 63-7
via giants.com
We had to take a trip in a time machine to get the stats for this game, but the 1952 Steelers, who would go on to finish 5-7, took on the New York Football Giants late in November. New York's Tom Landry would have a disgusting outing, posting just 1 touchdown to his 4 interceptions. Conversely, Pittsburgh's Jim Finks would throw for exactly the opposite, with 4 scores and a pick. Wide out Dick Hensley would rack up 154 yards and 2 scores as the Steelers would cruise to the largest blowout in team history.
This season will mark the 70th anniversary of this game, and both franchises are still some of the most popular in the world, though trending in different directions at the moment. Can we expect a 63-7 blowout win from rookie Kenny Pickett and company? Probably not. Times are changing, though; those men in 1952 sure didn't expect to win such a lopsided game, so we're voting to keep our options open.
What's your favorite blowout win in Steelers history? Click to comment below!
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