Thursday, May 5, 2016

The Greatest Comeback in Pittsburgh Steelers History


Roy Dowdell is an experienced financial planner who has provided a variety of consulting services to small- and medium-sized businesses. Beyond his financial planning activities, Roy Dowdell enjoys supporting Pittsburgh Steelers football.

On October 5, 1997, the Pittsburgh Steelers recorded the biggest comeback in franchise history. Early in the National Football League (NFL) season, the Steelers visited the Baltimore Ravens and quickly found themselves trailing by two touchdowns. Midway through the second quarter, the Ravens scored once again on a 24-yard pass to Brian Kinchen, increasing the lead to 21-0. The Steelers finally scored with just over three minutes remaining in the half, but the home team managed a field goal in the closing seconds of the second quarter, extending the lead to 17 points.

The third quarter began with a 67-yard kickoff by Baltimore kicker Matt Stover. Will Blackwell returned the kick 97 yards for a touchdown, igniting a furious second-half Steelers comeback. Pittsburgh held Baltimore scoreless throughout the quarter while tacking on another touchdown courtesy of quarterback Kordell Stewart. Stewart threw for two more touchdowns to start the fourth, suddenly giving Pittsburgh a 35-24 lead.

With about two-and-a-half minutes to play, Baltimore scored a touchdown and successfully converted a two-point attempt to pull within three points, but moments later Stewart ran 74 yards for another miraculous score. Baltimore forced a safety in the last seconds of the game but could not close the gap, ultimately blowing the 21-point first-half lead to lose 42-34. The Steelers also came back from 21-point deficits in 1953 and 1985. Both of these comebacks were at home games.