2009 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Head coach	Mike Tomlin
General manager	Kevin Colbert
Owner	The Rooney Family
Home field	Heinz Field
Results
Record	6-4
Place	2nd AFC North
Playoff finish	TBD
Uniform
Timeline
Previous season	Next season
2008	2010

The 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers season is the franchise's 77th season in the National Football League (NFL). They are coming off a season in which they compiled a 12-4 regular season record and capped the season by winning the franchise's record sixth Super Bowl.

The Steelers opened the season against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, September 10, 2009 in the NFL Kickoff Game and managed to get a tough win over an aggressive Titans defense. The team's coaching staff will remain the same for the third consecutive year.^[1]

Contents 1 Off season activity 1.1 Free Agents Signed 1.2 Practice Squad Players 1.3 Restricted Free Agents 1.4 Unrestricted Free Agents 1.5 Players Lost 1.6 Depth Chart 2 2009 NFL Draft 3 Schedule 3.1 Preseason 3.2 Regular season 4 Standings 5 Preseason results 5.1 Week 1: vs. Arizona Cardinals 5.2 Week 2: at Washington Redskins 5.3 Week 3: vs. Buffalo Bills 5.4 Week 4: at Carolina Panthers 6 Regular season results 6.1 Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans 6.2 Week 2: at Chicago Bears 6.3 Week 3: at Cincinnati Bengals 6.4 Week 4: vs. San Diego Chargers 6.5 Week 5: at Detroit Lions 6.6 Week 6: vs. Cleveland Browns 6.7 Week 7: vs. Minnesota Vikings 6.8 Week 9: at Denver Broncos 6.9 Week 10: vs. Cincinnati Bengals 6.10 Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs 6.11 Week 12: at Baltimore Ravens 7 References

[edit] Off season activity

The front office's focus coming into the off-season was to retain the bulk of the team's own free agents and to look to add primarily through the draft rather than free agent acquisitions,^[2] the same team philosophy since Chuck Noll took over as head coach in 1969. The other major item on the team's agenda was extending the contracts of a few of the players who will be free agents after the 2009 season — chief among them linebacker and 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, James Harrison, tight end Heath Miller, and tackle Max Starks.^[2]

The team completed the highest-priority item on their off-season checklist when they reached agreement on a six year, $51.175 million contract with Harrison. The contract includes $20 million in guaranteed money.^[3]

The team's primary needs coming into this off-season were considered to be shoring up the offensive line^[4] and improving their special teams (primarily at kick returner).^[5] In addition, they will need to address the loss through free agency of two key contributors: starting cornerback Bryant McFadden and number three wide receiver Nate Washington.^[6] The front office and coaching staff also need to be focused on uncovering for eventual replacements for defensive end Aaron Smith (age 33)^[4] and cornerback Deshea Townsend (age 34).^[6] ESPN's Matt Williamson ranks the team's needs as (in order), defensive end, offensive tackle, wide receiver and cornerback.^[7]

[edit] Free Agents Signed

Players from the 2008 team who have signed new contracts with the Steelers:

• OT Max Starks - signed $26.3 million, four-year contract,^[8]
• G Chris Kemoeatu - signed five year, $20+ million contract^[9]
• OT Willie Colon - signed one year, $2.198 million restricted free agent tender^[10]
• CB Anthony Madison signed one year, $1.01 million restricted free agent tender^[11][12]
• OT Trai Essex - signed two year, $1.92 million contract^[13]
• LB Keyaron Fox - signed two year, $1.8 million contract^[14]
• FB/TE Sean McHugh - signed three year, $2.57 million contract, expected to be starting FB^[15]
• QB Charlie Batch - signed one year, $795,000 contract^[16]
• LB Andre Frazier - signed two year, $1.375 million contract^[17]
• CB Fernando Bryant - signed one year, $745,000 contract^[13]
• FB Carey Davis - signed exclusive rights free agent tender, which amounts to a one year, $460,000 contract^[18]
• LB Arnold Harrison - signed one year, $460,000 contract^[13]
• WR Martin Nance - 2008 Steelers practice squad player; signed two year, $705,000 contract^[19]

Players not with the 2008 team who have been signed for 2009

• CB Keiwan Ratliff - from Indianapolis Colts; Ike Taylor's contract was restructured to clear cap space^[20]
• RB Stefan Logan - from CFL's BC Lions^[21]
• WR Brandon Williams - released by Rams prior to 2008 season^[22]
• FB Ryan Powdrell - spent a week on the Bucs practice squad in 2008^[22]
• K Piotr Czech - attended training camp with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008^[23]
• WR Shaun McDonald - spent 2007 & 2008 with Detroit Lions ^[24]
• P Dirk Johnson - released by the Washington Redskins in 2009^[24]
• WR/KR Jayson Foster - spent 2008 on Steelers' and Denver Broncos' practice squads^[25]

[edit] Practice Squad Players

Practice Squad Players who have signed new contracts with the Steelers:

• C Doug Legursky - 2008 Steelers practice squad player^[26]
• DE Jordan Reffett - 2008 Steelers practice squad player, signed reserve/futures contract^[27]
• S Ryan Mundy - 2008 Steelers practice squad player, signed reserve/futures contract^[22]
• RB Justin Vincent - 2008 Steelers practice squad player, signed reserve/futures contract^[22]
• TE Dezmond Sherrod - 2008 Steelers practice squad player, signed reserve/futures contract^[22]
• CB Roy Lewis - 2008 Steelers practice squad player, signed reserve/futures contract^[22]
• WR Dallas Baker - 2008 Steelers practice squad player, signed reserve/futures contract^[22]
• LB Donovan Woods - 2008 Steelers practice squad player, signed reserve/futures contract^[22]

[edit] Restricted Free Agents

Steelers have a right to match offers for these players and would receive compensation if they sign with another team

• OT Jeremy Parquet (exclusive rights free agent)^[12]

[edit] Unrestricted Free Agents

Played for Steelers in 2008 — not yet signed by any team

• P Mitch Berger - unlikely to be brought back since Daniel Sepulveda will be returning from injury^[28]
• TE Jonathan Dekker - unlikely to be brought back despite obstruction of justice charges being dropped as well as the team having since bulked up on depth at tight end.^[29]
• DE Orpheus Roye - unlikely to be brought back due to age for both Roye as well as the defensive line in general.

[edit] Players Lost

• OG Kendall Simmons - released; 2002 first round pick; ended 2008 season on IR^[30]
• LB Mike Humpal - released; 2008 sixth round pick; ended 2008 on IR^[30]
• WR Nate Washington - 2005 undrafted free agent; signed with the Tennessee Titans as an unrestricted free agent^[31]
• FS Anthony Smith - 2006 3rd round pick; signed with Green Bay Packers as an unrestricted free agent^[32]
• CB Bryant McFadden - 2005 2nd round pick; signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an unrestricted free agent^[33]
• OT Marvel Smith - 2000 2nd round pick who started 108 games as a Steeler; signed with San Francisco 49ers^[34]
• QB Byron Leftwich - Steelers 2008 back-up QB; signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers^[35]
• RB Gary Russell - released; 2007 undrafted rookie free agent, scored first touchdown of Super Bowl XLIII; signed with Oakland Raiders.^[36]
• LB Larry Foote - released; 2002 2nd round pick who started 83 games as a Steeler, including all 80 over the past five seasons; signed with Detroit Lions.^[37]
• LS Jared Retkofsky - released; signed last season when veteran long snapper Greg Warren tore his ACL^[24]
• CB Fernando Bryant - Retired ^[38]

[edit] Depth Chart

Position	First	Second	Third	Fourth
Quarterback	Roethlisberger (7)	Batch (16)	Dixon (2)
Running Back	Mendenhall (34)	Parker (39)	Moore (21)
Full Back	Davis (38)
Wide Receiver	Ward (86)	Wallace (17)	McDonald (81)
Wide Receiver	Holmes (10)	Sweed (14)	Logan (11)
Tight End	Miller (83)	Spaeth (89)	Johnson (85)
Left Tackle	Starks (78)	Hills (66)
Left Guard	Kemoeatu (68)	Foster (73)
Center	Hartwig (62)	Legursky (64)
Right Guard	Essex (79)	Urbik (65)
Right Tackle	Colon (74)	Foster (73)
Left Defensive End	Kirschke (90)	Hood (96)	Harris (77)
Nose Tackle	Hampton (98)	Hoke (76)
Right Defensive End	Kiesel (99)	Eason (93)
Left Outside Linebacker	Woodley (56)	Frazier (54)	Harrison (97)
Left Inside Linebacker	Farrior (51)	Fox (57)	Harrison (97)
Right Inside Linebacker	Timmons (94)	Fox (57)
Right Outside Linebacker	Harrison (92)	Bailey (55)
Left Cornerback	Taylor (24)	Ratliff (31)	Burnett (27)
Right Cornerback	Gay (22)	Townsend (26)	Lewis (20)
Free Safety	Clark (25)	Mundy (29)
Strong Safety	Polamalu (43)	Carter (23)
Place Kicker	Reed (3)	Sepulveda (9)
Punter	Sepulveda (9)	Reed (3)
Kick Returner	Logan (11)	Wallace (17)	Moore (21)
Punt Returner	Logan (11)	Moore (21)	Burnett (27)
Long Snapper	Warren (60)	Farrior (51)
Holder	Sepulveda (9)	Batch (16)

[edit] 2009 NFL Draft

The 2009 NFL Draft was held on April 25 and 26, 2009, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. In addition to their own draft picks, the team also had the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seventh-round selection (#226 overall) which they received in a trade prior to the 2008 season for offensive lineman Sean Mahan^[39] and a compensatory pick at the end of the 5th round.^[40]

During the draft, the Steelers traded their second-round (#64 overall) and fourth-round (#132) picks to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Denver's third-round (#79) and Chicago's third-round (#84) picks.

2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Selections

Round	Pick #	Player	Position	Height	Weight	College	Status
1	32	Hood, EvanderEvander Hood	Defensive tackle	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	300 lb (136 kg)	Missouri	Made 53-man roster at start of 2009 season
3	79	Urbik, KraigKraig Urbik	Offensive guard	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	332 lb (151 kg)	Wisconsin	Made 53-man roster at start of 2009 season
3	84	Wallace, MikeMike Wallace	Wide Receiver	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Mississippi	Made 53-man roster at start of 2009 season
3	96	Lewis, KeenanKeenan Lewis	Cornerback	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	196 lb (89 kg)	Oregon State	Made 53-man roster at start of 2009 season
5	168	Burnett, JoeJoe Burnett	Cornerback	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	198 lb (90 kg)	Central Florida	Made 53-man roster at start of 2009 season
5	169	Summers, FrankFrank Summers	Running back	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	230 lb (104 kg)	UNLV	Made 53-man roster at start of 2009 season
6	205	Harris, Ra'ShonRa'Shon Harris	Defensive tackle	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	298 lb (135 kg)	Oregon	Released by Steelers at final cut-down - claimed by Carolina Panthers - later re-signed by Pittsburgh
7	226	Shipley, A.Q.A.Q. Shipley	Center	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	304 lb (138 kg)	Penn State	Signed to Practice Squad at start of 2009 season
7	241	Johnson, DavidDavid Johnson	Tight end	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	260 lb (118 kg)	Arkansas State	Made 53-man roster at start of 2009 season

2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Undrafted Free Agents

Player	Position	Height	Weight	College
Estermyer, MarkMark Estermyer	Long snapper	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	251 lb (114 kg)	Pitt
Korte, TomTom Korte	Linebacker	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	Hillsdale College
Foster, RamonRamon Foster	Guard	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	328 lb (149 kg)	Tennessee
Reilly, MikeMike Reilly	Quarterback	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	214 lb (97 kg)	Central Washington
Grisham, TylerTyler Grisham	Wide receiver	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Clemson
Richardson, DerrickDerrick Richardson	Strong Safety	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	184 lb (83 kg)	New Mexico State
McCabe, KevinKevin McCabe	Quarterback	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	209 lb (95 kg)	California (Pa.)
Schantz, AndyAndy Schantz	Linebacker	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	234 lb (106 kg)	Portland State
Goodman, DemikoDemiko Goodman	Wide receiver	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	189 lb (86 kg)	Georgia
Black, StevenSteven Black	Wide receiver	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	202 lb (92 kg)	Memphis
Bradley, JeffJeff Bradley	Defensive tackle	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	280 lb (127 kg)	Western Carolina
McLendon, SteveSteve McLendon	Defensive tackle	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	305 lb (138 kg)	Troy
Redman, IsaacIsaac Redman	Running back	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	228 lb (103 kg)	Bowie State

[edit] Schedule

[edit] Preseason

The Steelers opened their preseason schedule on August 13 with a re-match of Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football.^[41][42]

Week	Date	Kickoff	Opponent	Results		Game Site	TV	NFL Recap
				Final score	Team record
1	Thursday, Aug. 13	8pm EDT	Arizona Cardinals	W 20-10	1-0	Heinz Field	ESPN	Recap
2	Saturday, Aug. 22	7:30pm EDT	at Washington Redskins	L 13-17	1-1	FedEx Field	KDKA-TV & FSN	Recap
3	Saturday, Aug. 29	7:30pm EDT	Buffalo Bills	W 17-0	2-1	Heinz Field	KDKA-TV & FSN	Recap
4	Thursday, Sept. 3	8pm EDT	at Carolina Panthers	W 21-10	3-1	Bank of America Stadium	KDKA-TV & FSN	Recap

[edit] Regular season

The Steelers' opponents for the 2009 season are based on the NFL's predetermined scheduling formula.^[43] The combined 2008 record of the Steelers' 2009 opponents was 110–144–2 (.434 winning percentage). By this measure the Steelers have the fourth easiest schedule in the league — only the Packers, Vikings and Bears opponents have a worse cumulative 2008 winning percentage.^[44] It should be noted that the Packers, Vikings and Bears play two games each against the Lions, who finished 0-16 in 2008.

As the defending Super Bowl champion, the Steelers will host the kickoff game for the 2009 season on Thursday, September 10, at 8:30 p.m. EDT. Their opponent for the kickoff game will be the Tennessee Titans.^[45]

The Pittsburgh Steelers won the first game of the 2009 season in overtime over the Tennessee Titans on September 10, 2009 at 11:48 pm EST with a fieldgoal.

Week	Date	Kickoff	Opponent	Results		Game Site	TV	NFL Recap
				Final score	Team record
1	September 10	8:30pm EDT	Tennessee Titans	W 13-10 (OT)	1-0	Heinz Field	NBC	Recap
2	September 20	4:15pm EDT	at Chicago Bears	L 14-17	1-1	Soldier Field	CBS	Recap
3	September 27	4:15pm EDT	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 20-23	1-2	Paul Brown Stadium	CBS	Recap
4	October 4	8:20pm EDT	San Diego Chargers	W 38-28	2-2	Heinz Field	NBC	Recap
5	October 11	1:00pm EDT	at Detroit Lions	W 28-20	3-2	Ford Field	CBS	Recap
6	October 18	1:00pm EDT	Cleveland Browns	W 27-14	4-2	Heinz Field	CBS	Recap
7	October 25	1:00pm EDT	Minnesota Vikings	W 27-17	5-2	Heinz Field	Fox	Recap
8	Bye
9	November 9	8:30pm EST	at Denver Broncos	W 28-10	6-2	INVESCO Field at Mile High	ESPN	Recap
10	November 15	1:00pm EST	Cincinnati Bengals	L 12-18	6-3	Heinz Field	CBS
11	November 22	1:00pm EST	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 24-27 (OT)	6-4	Arrowhead Stadium	CBS
12	November 29	8:20pm EST [a]	at Baltimore Ravens			M&T Bank Stadium	NBC
13	December 6	1:00pm EST	Oakland Raiders			Heinz Field	CBS
14	December 10	8:20pm EST	at Cleveland Browns			Cleveland Browns Stadium	NFLN
15	December 20	1:00pm EST*	Green Bay Packers			Heinz Field	Fox
16	December 27	1:00pm EST [a]	Baltimore Ravens			Heinz Field	CBS
17	January 3	1:00pm EST*	at Miami Dolphins			LandShark Stadium	CBS
NOTES: Division games are in bold text. An asterisk (*) indicates that gametime is subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling. a  The November 29 game at Baltimore has been confirmed as the Sunday Night Game for Week 12.[46] Due to flex-scheduling procedures involving intra-division games, the second meeting with the Ravens (at Pittsburgh in Week 16) is exempt from NBC's flex-scheduling.

[edit] Standings

The 2009 season will be the Steelers' eighth as members of the AFC North Division. Pittsburgh will defend their division title from the 2008 season, which they obtained by finishing with the division's best record.^[47]

AFC North
view • talk • edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Cincinnati Bengals	7	3	0	.700	5–0	5–3	215	167	L1
Pittsburgh Steelers	6	4	0	.600	1–2	4–3	231	184	L2
Baltimore Ravens	5	5	0	.500	2–2	5–4	237	171	L1
Cleveland Browns	1	9	0	.100	0–4	1–5	115	263	L5

[edit] Preseason results

[edit] Week 1: vs. Arizona Cardinals

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	3	0	7	10
Steelers	0	3	0	17	20

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game Date: Thursday, August 13, 2009
• Top Passer: Dennis Dixon (PIT): 112 Yds
• Top Rusher: Isaac Redman (PIT): 32 Yds
• Top Receiver: Shaun McDonald (PIT): 69 Yds

[edit] Week 2: at Washington Redskins

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	3	3	0	13
Redskins	3	0	7	7	17

at FedEx Field, Washington, D.C.

• Game Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009
• Top Passer: Dennis Dixon (PIT), 68 Yds
• Top Rusher: Marcus Mason (WAS), 45 Yds
• Top Receiver: Fred Davis (WAS), 31 Yds

[edit] Week 3: vs. Buffalo Bills

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	0	0	0	0
Steelers	0	17	0	0	17

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game Date: Saturday, August 29, 2009
• Top Passer: Ben Roethlisberger (PIT), 168 Yds
• Top Rusher: Rashard Mendenhall (PIT), 48 Yds
• Top Receiver: Hines Ward (PIT), 74 Yds

[edit] Week 4: at Carolina Panthers

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	14	0	7	0	21
Panthers	0	0	7	3	10

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Game Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009
• Top Passer: Matt Moore (CAR), 89 Yds
• Top Rusher: Isaac Redman (PIT), 79 Yds
• Top Receiver: Kenny Moore (CAR), 59 Yds

[edit] Regular season results

[edit] Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Titans	0	7	0	3	0	10
Steelers	0	7	0	3	3	13

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 8:30 PM EDT
• Game weather: 67°F (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 65,110
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, & Andrea Kremer

With their Super Bowl title to defend, the Steelers began their season at home in the annual kickoff game against the Tennessee Titans. After a scoreless first quarter, Pittsburgh would get their first score of the season as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Super Bowl XLIII MVP wide receiver Santonio Holmes near the end of the second quarter. The Titans would respond with quarterback Kerry Collins completing a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Justin Gage. Just prior to halftime, pro-bowl safety Troy Polamalu went to the locker room after suffering a knee injury. He would not return to the field and it would later be revealed that he strained his MCL.

After a scoreless third quarter, Tennessee would take the lead in the fourth quarter as kicker Rob Bironas got a 45-yard field goal. Pittsburgh would tie the game as kicker Jeff Reed made a 32-yard field goal. With time running out, the Steelers drove down the field again, and lost the ball to a rare Hines Ward fumble, allowing the Titans to run the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Steelers won the cointoss and never relinquished the ball. In the end, Pittsburgh emerged victorious as Reed nailed the game-winning 33-yard field goal.

With the win, the Steelers began their season at 1-0.

This also marked the first time that the Steelers were able to win against Collins.

[edit] Week 2: at Chicago Bears

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	0	7	0	14
Bears	0	7	0	10	17

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Game time: 4:15 PM EDT
• Game weather: 70°F (Light Rain)
• Game attendance: 62,231
• Referee: Scott Green
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz & Phil Simms

Coming off their season-opening win over the Titans, the Steelers flew to Soldier Field for a Week 2 interconference duel with the Chicago Bears. In the first quarter, Pittsburgh struck first as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Matt Spaeth. However, in the second quarter, the Bears answered with quarterback Jay Cutler completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kellen Davis.

Pittsburgh would regain their lead in the third quarter as Roethlisberger got a 2-yard touchdown run, but in the fourth quarter, two missed field goals from kicker Jeff Reed would lead to Cutler's 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Johnny Knox and kicker Robbie Gould's 44-yard field goal.

With the loss, the Steelers fell to 1-1.

[edit] Week 3: at Cincinnati Bengals

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	10	3	7	0	20
Bengals	0	3	6	14	23

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Game time: 4:15 PM EDT
• Game weather: 65°F (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 64,538
• Referee: Gene Steratore
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz & Phil Simms

Following a tough road loss against the Bears, the Steelers flew to Paul Brown Stadium for a Week 3 AFC North duel with the Cincinnati Bengals. Pittsburgh would strike first in the first quarter with kicker Jeff Reed's 19-yard field goal and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's 27-yard touchdown pass to running back Willie Parker. The Steelers would add onto their lead in the second quarter as Reed made a 34-yard field goal. The Bengals would close out the half with kicker Shayne Graham's 34-yard field goal.

Cincinnati would creep closer in the third quarter as cornerback Johnathan Joseph returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown (with a failed PAT), yet Pittsburgh answered with Roethlisberger's 1-yard touchdown run. However, in the fourth quarter, the Bengals took the lead with running back Cedric Benson's 23-yard touchdown run (with a failed 2-point conversion) and quarterback Carson Palmer's 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Caldwell (with a successful 2-point conversion pass to running back Brian Leonard). The Steelers tried to rally, but Roethlisberger's last-second hail mary pass was intercepted, preserving the defeat.

With the loss, Pittsburgh fell to 1-2.

Wide receiver Hines Ward (4 receptions, 82 yards) would become the 21st player in NFL history to surpass 800 career receptions and 10,000 receiving yards.

[edit] Week 4: vs. San Diego Chargers

	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	7	21	28
Steelers	14	7	7	10	38

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 8:20 PM EDT
• Game weather: 54°F (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 64,045
• Referee: Jeff Triplette
• TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, & Andrea Kremer

Hoping to snap a two-game losing skid, the Steelers went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and prepared for a Week 4 Sunday night duel with the San Diego Chargers. Pittsburgh got off to a fast start in the opening half with running back Rashard Mendenhall (filling in for the injured Willie Parker) helping out the cause on a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's 19-yard touchdown pass to running back Mewelde Moore. The Steelers would carry their fast start into the second quarter as Mendenhall got a 2-yard touchdown run.

In the third quarter, Pittsburgh picked up where they left off with Roethlisberger completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller. The Chargers would get on the board with quarterback Philip Rivers' 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Antonio Gates. In the fourth quarter, San Diego began to play catch-up with a special teams play. Fullback Jacob Hester would strip return specialist Stefan Logan of the ball and go 41 yards for a touchdown. The Steelers came right back with a trick play, as Moore completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Miller. However, the Chargers would slash away at the Steelers' lead with Rivers completing a 30-yard touchdown pass to Gates and a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Chambers. Pittsburgh would answer the call with kicker Jeff Reed booting a 46-yard field goal, followed by linebacker James Harrison causing a sack and a fumble. It would allow linebacker James Farrior to recover the fumble and secure the victory.

With the win, not only did the Steelers improve to 2-2, but they also extended their regular season home game winning streak over San Diego to 13-straight.

Mendenhall would have a career night with 29 carries for 165 yards, in addition to his two rushing touchdowns.

[edit] Week 5: at Detroit Lions

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	14	7	0	28
Lions	6	7	0	7	20

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

• Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
• Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
• Game attendance: 59,333
• Referee: Ed Hochuli
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg & Dan Fouts

Following a close victory over the Chargers, the Steelers flew to Ford Field for a Week 5 interconfernce duel with the Detroit Lions. Despite the Lions getting the opening score of the first quarter with a 46-yard field goal from kicker Jason Hanson, Pittsburgh would answer with running back Rashard Mendenhall's 7-yard touchdown run. Afterwards, Detroit closed out the opening period with Hanson making another 46-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Steelers would deliver a big strike with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completing a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller. Even though the Lions came right back with cornerback Williams James returning an interception 38 yards for a touchdown, Pittsburgh effectively replied with Roethlisberger's 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hines Ward.

In the third quarter, the Steelers would add onto their lead as Roethlisberger hooked up with rookie wide receiver Mike Wallace on a 47-yard touchdown pass. Detroit tried to rally in the fourth quarter as quarterback Daunte Culpepper found wide receiver Dennis Northcutt on a 25-yard touchdown pass, but Pittsburgh's defense made a crucial stand with three-straight sacks (courtesy of linebacker LaMarr Woodley, cornerback William Gay, and linebacker Lawrence Timmons), followed by cornerback Ike Taylor swatting away the Lions' last hope from a hail-mary pass.

With the win, the Steelers improved to 3-2.

[edit] Week 6: vs. Cleveland Browns

	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	0	7	7	0	14
Steelers	0	17	7	3	27

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
• Game weather: 41°F (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 64,398
• Referee: Walt Anderson
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan & Solomon Wilcots

Coming off their road win over the Lions, the Steelers went home for a Week 6 AFC North duel with the Cleveland Browns. After a scoreless first quarter, Pittsburgh came out striking in the second quarter as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller and a 52-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hines Ward. The Browns immediately struck back as wide receiver Joshua Cribbs returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Pittsburgh would close out the half with a 32-yard field goal from kicker Jeff Reed.

Cleveland tried to catch up as quarterback Derek Anderson completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to fullback Lawrence Vickers, yet the Steelers answered with a 2-yard touchdown run from running back Rashard Mendenhall. Pittsburgh would then close the game out in the fourth quarter with Reed booting a 39-yard field goal.

With their 12th-straight win over the Browns, the Steelers improved to 4-2.

[edit] Week 7: vs. Minnesota Vikings

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	7	3	7	17
Steelers	3	7	3	14	27

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
• Game weather: 52°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 65,597
• Referee: Ron Winter
• TV announcers (FOX): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa

Coming off their divisional win over the Browns, the Steelers stayed at home for a Week 7 interconference duel with the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. Pittsburgh got the game's opening score late in the first quarter with kicker Jeff Reed nailing a 39-yard field goal. The Vikings would answer in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run from running back Adrian Peterson, yet the Steelers struck back with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completing a 40-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Mike Wallace.

Both teams would swap field goals in the third quarter, with Reed booting a 27-yard field goal and Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell making an 18-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh defense came up with a huge play as defensive end Brett Keisel forced a fumble off of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, allowing linebacker LaMarr Woodley to return the fumble 77 yards for a touchdown. However, Minnesota immediately struck back as wide receiver Percy Harvin returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown. Fortuantely, the Steelers defense came up big again as linebacker Keyaron Fox returned an interception 82 yards for a touchdown.

With the win, Pittsburgh went into their bye week at 5-2.

[edit] Week 9: at Denver Broncos

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	7	7	14	28
Broncos	3	0	7	0	10

at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

• Game time: 8:30 PM EST
• Game weather: 55°F (Mostly Clear)
• Game attendance: 76,716
• Referee: Don Carey
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden & Suzy Kolber

Coming off their bye week, the Steelers flew to INVESCO Field at Mile High for a Week 9 Monday night duel with the Denver Broncos. Pittsburgh would trail in the first quarter as the Broncos closed out the game's opening drive with kicker Matt Prater booting a 40-yard field goal, yet the Steelers would answer in the second quarter as safety Tyrone Carter (who filled in for safety Ryan Clark) returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown.

Denver would answer in the third quarter as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked by defensive end Kenny Peterson, which caused a fumble. The ball would be picked up by linebacker Robert Ayers and returned 54 yards for a touchdown. Afterwards, Pittsburgh would answer with Roethlisberger completing a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hines Ward. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers would pull away as Roethlisberger hooked up with rookie wide receiver Mike Wallace on a 25-yard touchdown pass, followed completing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ward.

With the win, Pittsburgh improved to 6-2.

[edit] Week 10: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	6	0	6	6	18
Steelers	3	6	0	3	12

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 PM EST
• Game weather: 64°F (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 65,392
• Referee: Terry McAulay
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz & Phil Simms

Coming off their impressive Monday night road win over the Broncos, the Steelers went home for a Week 10 AFC North rematch with the Cincinnati Bengals with 1st place in the division on the line.

In the first quarter, Pittsburgh would deliver the game's first strike with a 28-yard field goal from kicker Jeff Reed. However, the Bengals would immediately answer as running back Bernard Scott returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown (with a failed PAT). The Steelers would regain the lead in the second quarter as Reed got a 33-yard and a 35-yard field goal.

Cincinnati would respond in the third quarter as kicker Shayne Graham made a 23-yard and a 32-yard field goal. Pittsburgh would tie the game in the fourth quarter with Reed nailing a 34-yard field goal. However, the Bengals would pull away as Graham booted a 32-yard and a 43-yard field goal.

With the loss, the Steelers fell to 6-3.

[edit] Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Steelers	0	17	0	7	0	24
Chiefs	7	0	10	7	3	27

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Game time: 1:00 PM EST
• Game weather: 55°F (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 70,261
• Referee: Carl Cheffers
• TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle & Rich Gannon

After the loss to the Bengals, the Pittsburgh Steelers flew to Arrowhead Stadium for an Intra-conference duel against the Kansas City Chiefs.

At the start of the first quarter Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles returned a kickoff from their own 3-yard line to the Steelers' endzone for a touchdown. In the second quarter Pittsburgh rallied as PK Jeff Reed made a 36-yard field goal, then QB Ben Roethlisberger made an 8-yard touchdown pass to WR Hines Ward, and then Roethlisberger passed to TE Heath Miller 10 yards for a touchdown.

In the third quarter the Chiefs tied the game when QB Matt Cassel made a 21-yard touchdown pass to TE Leonard Pope, and then kicker Ryan Succop made a 22-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter Pittsburgh took the lead as QB Ben Roethlisberger made an 8-yard touchdown pass to RB Rashard Mendenhall, until the Chiefs came back to tie the game as QB Matt Cassel made a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jamaal Charles to put the game in overtime. After overtime it was Kansas City that took the win when kicker Ryan Succop made a 22-yard field goal.

With the overtime loss, the Steelers fell to 6-4.

[edit] Week 12: at Baltimore Ravens

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers					0
Ravens					0

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

• Game time: 8:20 PM EST
• Game weather:
• Game attendance:
• Referee:
• TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth & Andrea Kremer

[edit] References

v • d • e Pittsburgh Steelers Founded in 1933 · Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Franchise Franchise · History · Seasons · Logos and Uniforms · Coaches · Players · Quarterbacks · First-round draft picks · Statistics Stadiums Forbes Field · Pitt Stadium · Three Rivers Stadium · Heinz Field Culture Terrible Towel · Rooney family · Myron Cope · Steeler Nation · "Here We Go" Lore Immaculate Reception · Steel Curtain · Blitzburgh · 1974 Draft Class · The Comeback II · Immaculate Redemption · Bengals rivalry · Browns rivalry · Ravens rivalry · The Steagles · Card-Pitt · Pennsylvania Keystoners · Steelerettes · Renegade Head coaches Douds · DiMelio · Bach · McNally · Kiesling · Bell · Donelli · Kiesling · Leonard · Sutherland · Michelosen · Bach · Kiesling · Parker · Nixon · Austin · Noll · Cowher · Tomlin Division championships (19) 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008 Super Bowl appearances (7) IX · X · XIII · XIV · XXX · XL · XLIII League championships (6) 1974 · 1975 · 1978 · 1979 · 2005 · 2008 Hall of Fame members Players - Blount · Bradshaw · Dudley · Greene · Ham · Harris · Johnson · Lambert · Layne · Stallworth · Stautner · Swann · Webster · Woodson Coaches and administration - Bell · Kiesling · Noll · Art Rooney · Dan Rooney 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 Current league affiliations League: National Football League · Conference: American Football Conference · Division: North Division

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2009 NFL Draft • Pro Bowl • Super Bowl XLIV