The 1972 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 40th in the National Football League.
The team posted a record of 11–3 in 1972, and won their first-ever AFC Central Division title. It was the team's third-ever postseason appearance, its first postseason appearance in ten seasons (the Playoff Bowl for third place in the league), and only its second playoff game since 1947. This season is famous for the Immaculate Reception, where the Steelers beat the Oakland Raiders in the playoffs 13-7 on a last second touchdown by Franco Harris.
The rebuilding of the franchise that began in 1969 with the hiring of Chuck Noll finally came to fruition in his fourth year. After winning only one game in his first year in 1969 the team that showed steady improvement broke through in 1972 and made the playoffs for the first time since 1947. The division title was the first in team history, as was the appearance in the AFC Championship game which they lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins 21-17. It was the first of 8 straight playoff appearances for the Steelers that led to 4 Super Bowl Championships.
Offseason
NFL Draft
[1]
Roster
1972 Pittsburgh Steelers football team roster |
Players |
Coaches |
Offense
Pos. |
# |
Name |
TE |
85 |
Bob Adams |
RB |
46 |
Warren Bankston |
RB |
20 |
Rocky Bleier |
QB |
12 |
Terry Bradshaw |
TE |
87 |
Larry Brown |
G |
50 |
Jim Clack |
G |
85 |
Dave Davis |
G |
57 |
Sam Davis (C) |
RB |
35 |
Steve Davis |
RB |
33 |
John Fuqua |
QB |
17 |
Joe Gilliam |
T |
71 |
Gordon Gravelle |
QB |
5 |
Terry Hanratty |
RB |
32 |
Franco Harris |
G |
77 |
Mel Holmes |
T |
55 |
Jon Kolb |
WR |
43 |
Frank Lewis |
C |
56 |
Ray Mansfield |
TE |
89 |
John McMakin |
G |
72 |
Gerry Mullins |
RB |
26 |
Preston Pearson |
WR |
25 |
Ron Shanklin |
WR |
88 |
Dave L. Smith |
G |
66 |
Bruce Van Dyke |
WR |
31 |
Al Young |
|
Defense
Pos. |
# |
Name |
FS |
49 |
Ralph Anderson |
DB |
37 |
Chuck Beatty |
CB |
47 |
Mel Blount |
LB |
38 |
Ed Bradley |
DB |
44 |
Lee Calland |
LB |
53 |
Henry Davis |
DB |
29 |
John Dockery |
FS |
27 |
Glen Edwards |
DT |
64 |
Steve Furness |
DT |
75 |
Joe Greene |
DE |
68 |
L.C. Greenwood |
LB |
59 |
Jack Ham |
DE |
67 |
Craig Hanneman |
DT |
63 |
Ernie Holmes |
DT |
60 |
Ben McGee |
CB |
48 |
John Rowser |
LB |
34 |
Andy Russell (C) |
CB |
24 |
J.T. Thomas |
LB |
61 |
Brian Stenger |
FS |
23 |
Mike Wagner |
LB |
90 |
George Webster |
DE |
78 |
Dwight White |
LB |
36 |
Chuck Winfrey |
|
Special teams
Pos. |
# |
Name |
K |
10 |
Roy Gerela |
P |
39 |
Bobby Walden |
LS |
55 |
Jon Kolb |
H |
39 |
Bobby Walden |
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
- Injured
- Redshirt
|
Depth chart
Staff
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Preseason
Schedule
Game summaries
Regular season
Schedule
Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
1 |
September 17, 1972 |
Oakland Raiders |
W 34–28 |
2 |
September 24, 1972 |
at Cincinnati Bengals |
L 15–10 |
3 |
October 1, 1972 |
at St. Louis Cardinals |
W 25–19 |
4 |
October 8, 1972 |
at Dallas Cowboys |
L 17–13 |
5 |
October 15, 1972 |
Houston Oilers |
W 24–7 |
6 |
October 22, 1972 |
New England Patriots |
W 33–3 |
7 |
October 29, 1972 |
at Buffalo Bills |
W 38–21 |
8 |
November 5, 1972 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
W 40–17 |
9 |
November 12, 1972 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
W 16–7 |
10 |
November 19, 1972 |
at Cleveland Browns |
L 26–24 |
11 |
November 26, 1972 |
Minnesota Vikings |
W 23–10 |
12 |
December 3, 1972 |
Cleveland Browns |
W 30–0 |
13 |
December 10, 1972 |
at Houston Oilers |
W 9–3 |
14 |
December 17, 1972 |
at San Diego Chargers |
W 24–2 |
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders
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|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Raiders |
0 |
7 |
0 |
21 |
28 |
• Steelers |
14 |
3 |
10 |
7 |
34 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
|
PIT |
Henry Davis 5-yard blocked punt return (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 7–0 |
|
1 |
|
PIT |
Terry Bradshaw 20-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 14–0 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 48-yard field goal |
PIT 17–0 |
|
2 |
|
OAK |
Raymond Chester 26-yard pass from George Blanda (George Blanda kick) |
PIT 17–7 |
|
3 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 8-yard field goal |
PIT 20–7 |
|
3 |
|
PIT |
Terry Bradshaw 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 27–7 |
|
4 |
|
OAK |
Mike Siani 24-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick) |
PIT 27–14 |
|
4 |
|
PIT |
Ron Shanklin 57-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 34–14 |
|
4 |
|
OAK |
Don Highsmith 1-yard run (George Blanda kick) |
PIT 34–21 |
|
4 |
|
OAK |
Mike Siani 70-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick) |
PIT 34–28 |
|
The Steelers were able to start off against the Raiders at home scoring 17 unanswered points (2TDs/PATs and a FG) and eventually ended up defeating the team by 6 for a 34–28 victory and a 1–0 start.
Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals
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|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Steelers |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
• Bengals |
3 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
15 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
|
CIN |
Horst Muhlmann 41-yard field goal |
CIN 3–0 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Terry Bradshaw 12-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 7–3 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 17-yard field goal |
PIT 10–3 |
|
3 |
|
CIN |
Horst Muhlmann 32-yard field goal |
PIT 10–6 |
|
3 |
|
CIN |
Horst Muhlmann 20-yard field goal |
PIT 10–9 |
|
4 |
|
CIN |
Horst Muhlmann 32-yard field goal |
CIN 12–10 |
|
4 |
|
CIN |
Horst Muhlmann 34-yard field goal |
CIN 15–10 |
|
Week 3: at St. Louis Cardinals
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|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Steelers |
3 |
12 |
0 |
10 |
25 |
Cardinals |
0 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
19 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 17-yard field goal |
PIT 3–0 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 20-yard field goal |
PIT 6–0 |
|
2 |
|
STL |
Jim Bakken 19-yard field goal |
PIT 6–3 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Terry Bradshaw 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 13–3 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Safety, Donny Anderson tackled by Ralph Anderson in end zone |
PIT 15–3 |
|
2 |
|
STL |
Jim Bakken 44-yard field goal |
PIT 15–6 |
|
3 |
|
STL |
Donny Anderson 8-yard run (kick failed) |
PIT 15–12 |
|
3 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 15-yard field goal |
PIT 18–12 |
|
4 |
|
STL |
Norm Thompson 8-yard blocked punt return (Jim Bakken kick) |
STL 19–18 |
|
4 |
|
PIT |
Frank Lewis 38-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 25–19 |
|
Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys
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|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Steelers |
6 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
• Cowboys |
3 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
17 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 39-yard field goal |
PIT 3–0 |
|
1 |
|
DAL |
Toni Fritsch 40-yard field goal |
Tied 3–3 |
|
1 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 39-yard field goal |
PIT 6–3 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Mel Blount 35-yard fumble return (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 13–3 |
|
2 |
|
DAL |
Calvin Hill 1-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick) |
PIT 13–10 |
|
3 |
|
DAL |
Ron Sellers 55-yard pass from Calvin Hill (Toni Fritsch kick) |
DAL 17–13 |
|
Week 5: vs. Houston Oilers
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|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Oilers |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
• Steelers |
0 |
10 |
7 |
7 |
24 |
|
|
|
Week 6: vs. New England Patriots
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|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Patriots |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
• Steelers |
10 |
7 |
13 |
3 |
33 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 19-yard field goal |
PIT 3–0 |
|
1 |
|
PIT |
Jack Ham 32-yard interception return (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 10–0 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Ron Shanklin 30-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 17–0 |
|
3 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 22-yard field goal |
PIT 20–0 |
|
3 |
|
NE |
Charlie Gogolak 16-yard field goal |
PIT 20–3 |
|
3 |
|
PIT |
Steve Davis 28-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 27–3 |
|
3 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 35-yard field goal |
PIT 30–3 |
|
4 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 33-yard field goal |
PIT 33–3 |
|
Week 7: at Buffalo Bills
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|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Steelers |
0 |
17 |
7 |
14 |
38 |
Bills |
0 |
0 |
7 |
14 |
21 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Franco Harris 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 7–0 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Terry Bradshaw 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 14–0 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 29-yard field goal |
PIT 17–0 |
|
3 |
|
PIT |
O.J. Simpson 94-yard run (John Leypoldt kick) |
PIT 17–7 |
|
3 |
|
PIT |
Franco Harris 18-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 24–7 |
|
4 |
|
BUF |
Bob Chandler 11-yard pass from Dennis Shaw (John Leypoldt kick) |
PIT 24–14 |
|
4 |
|
PIT |
Franco Harris 17-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 31–14 |
|
4 |
|
PIT |
Bob Chandler 4-yard pass from Dennis Shaw (John Leypoldt kick) |
PIT 31–21 |
|
4 |
|
PIT |
John Fuqua 4-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 38–21 |
|
Week 8: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Bengals |
0 |
0 |
14 |
3 |
17 |
• Steelers |
10 |
16 |
7 |
7 |
40 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
|
PIT |
John Fuqua 7-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 7–0 |
|
1 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 15-yard field goal |
PIT 10–0 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Roy Gerela 22-yard field goal |
PIT 13–0 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Frank Lewis 28-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (kick failed) |
PIT 19–0 |
|
2 |
|
PIT |
Larry Brown 13-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 26–0 |
|
3 |
|
CIN |
Virgil Carter 1-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick) |
PIT 26–7 |
|
3 |
|
PIT |
Frank Lewis 34-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 33–7 |
|
3 |
|
CIN |
Chip Myers 2-yard pass from Virgil Carter (Horst Muhlmann kick) |
PIT 33–14 |
|
4 |
|
PIT |
Franco Harris 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) |
PIT 40–14 |
|
4 |
|
CIN |
Horst Muhlmann 37-yard field goal |
PIT 40–17 |
|
Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Chiefs |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
• Steelers |
0 |
0 |
3 |
13 |
16 |
|
Scoring Drives:
Week 10: Cleveland Browns
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Steelers |
3 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
24 |
• Browns |
10 |
10 |
3 |
3 |
26 |
|
Scoring Drives:
Week 11: Minnesota Vikings
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Vikings |
3 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
10 |
• Steelers |
7 |
0 |
3 |
13 |
23 |
|
Scoring Drives:
Week 12: Cleveland Browns
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Browns |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
• Steelers |
3 |
7 |
7 |
13 |
30 |
|
Franco Harris breaks Jim Brown's record for consecutive 100 yd games.
Scoring Drives:
Week 13: Houston Oilers
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Steelers |
3 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
9 |
Oilers |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
- Date: December 10
- Location: Houston Astrodome
- Game attendance: 36,528
- Referee: John McDonough
|
Scoring Drives:
Week 14: San Diego Chargers
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Steelers |
7 |
7 |
3 |
7 |
24 |
Chargers |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
the pittsburgh steelers clinched their first afc central division title (the day before the game Frank Sinatra is inducted into Franco's Italian Army).
Scoring Drives:
Standings
Postseason
Game summaries
Divisional: vs. Oakland Raiders
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Raiders |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
• Steelers |
0 |
0 |
3 |
10 |
13 |
|
|
|
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AFC Championship: vs. Miami Dolphins
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Dolphins |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
21 |
Steelers |
7 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
17 |
|
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References
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Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates (1933–1939)
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Franchise |
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Stadiums |
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Culture |
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Lore |
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Rivalries |
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Media |
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Division championships (24) |
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Conference championships (8) |
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League championships (6) |
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Retired numbers |
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Hall of Fame members |
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Current league affiliations |
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