1995 Pittsburgh Steelers season

The 1995 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 63rd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
This season saw the Steelers return to the Super Bowl for the first time in sixteen years. The team's 11–5 finish was good enough for the AFC Central championship and the second seed in the conference.
For the second consecutive season, Pittsburgh hosted the AFC Championship game, by virtue of the Indianapolis Colts' upset of the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Steelers won the conference championship game, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl in a matchup of teams that were looking to join the San Francisco 49ers as the only other team to win five Super Bowls. It was the first time in three Super Bowl meetings that the Steelers had lost to the Cowboys, and also their first Super Bowl loss overall. Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher became the youngest head coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl.
After the Super Bowl loss, quarterback Neil O'Donnell signed as a free agent with the New York Jets. The Steelers would not return to the Super Bowl until ten years later.
As of 2025, this is the last time the Steelers defeated the Bears in Chicago.

Offseason

1995 expansion draft

Round	Selection	Name	Position	Expansion team
6	12	Tim McKyer	Cornerback	Carolina Panthers
15	30	Fred Foggie	Defensive back	Carolina Panthers
19	37	Charles Davenport	Wide receiver	Jacksonville Jaguars

Undrafted free agents

Player	Position	College
Greg Black	Defensive tackle	North Carolina
LaMonte Coleman	Fullback	Slippery Rock
Vincent Dinkins	Center	South Carolina
Joey Ellis	Cornerback	Texas
Doug Grant	Wide receiver	Savannah State
Tirrell Greene	Guard	Miami (FL)
Germaine Holden	Defensive end	Notre Dame
Tim Patillo	Safety	Ohio State
Kiefer Phillips	Linebacker	Grambling State
Ty Stewart	Kicker	Iowa State

Regular season

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday September 3, 1995): vs. [Detroit Lions]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 1:00 pm EDTGame weather: Game attendance: 58,002Referee: Tom WhiteTV announcers: Kevin Harlan, Jerry Glanville
Scoring drives:

Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 39
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 47
Detroit – Perriman 5 pass from Mitchell
Detroit – FG Hanson 43
Pittsburgh – Morris 5 run
Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run
Detroit – Moore 27 pass from Mitchell
Detroit – FG Hanson 36
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 31

Week 2 (Sunday September 10, 1995): at [Houston Oilers]

at Astrodome, Houston, TexasGame time: 1:00 pm EDTGame weather: DomeGame attendance: 44,122Referee: Bob McElweeTV announcers: Dan Hicks, Tunch Ilkin
Scoring drives:

Pittsburgh – Hastings 72 punt return
Houston – FG Del Greco 43
Pittsburgh – Bruener 15 pass from Tomczak
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 43
Pittsburgh – McAfee 22 run
Houston – Chandler 1 run
Pittsburgh – Lake 32 interception return
Houston – Thomas 6 run
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 40

Week 3 (Monday September 18, 1995): at [Miami Dolphins]

at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, FloridaGame time: 9:00 pm EDTGame weather:Game attendance: 72,874Referee: Larry NemmersTV announcers: Al Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan Dierdorf, Lynn Swann
Scoring drives:

Miami – FG Stoyanovich 37
Miami – Parmalee 2 run
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 40
Miami – Kirby 28 pass from Marino
Miami – FG Stoyanovich 39
Miami – FG Stoyanovich 21
Pittsburgh – Mills 27 pass form Miller

Week 4 (Sunday September 24, 1995): vs. [Minnesota Vikings]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 1:00 pm EDTGame weather: Game attendance: 57,853Referee: Gordon McCarterTV announcers: Kenny Albert, Anthony Muñoz
Scoring drives:

Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 32
Minnesota – R. Smith 58 run
Minnesota – FG Reveiz 33
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 35
Minnesota – Fuller 12 fumble return
Minnesota – Carter 18 pass from Moon
Minnesota – Thomas 45 lateral from Del Rio
Minnesota – FG Reveiz 40
Pittsburgh – Pegram 5 run
Pittsburgh – Thigpen 42 pass from Miller
Minnesota – Carter 22 pass from Moon
Pittsburgh – Pegram 1 run

Week 5 (Sunday October 1, 1995): vs. [San Diego Chargers]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 4:00 pm EDTGame weather: Game attendance: 57,012Referee: Gerald AustinTV announcers: Dick Enberg, Phil Simms & Paul Maguire
Scoring drives:

Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run
Pittsburgh – W. Williams 63 interception return
Pittsburgh – Mays 32 interception return
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 25
San Diego – Means 13 run
Pittsburgh – Morris 2 run
San Diego – Martin 19 pass from Humphries
San Diego – FG Carney 28

Week 6 (Sunday October 8, 1995): at [Jacksonville Jaguars]

at Alltell Stadium, Jacksonville, FloridaGame time: 1:00 pm EDTGame weather:Game attendance: 72,042Referee: Mike CareyTV announcers: Don Criqui, Beasley Reece
Scoring drives:

Jacksonville – Tillman 10 pass from Brunell
Jacksonville – Stewart 6 run
Pittsburgh – Avery 18 pass from O'Donnell
Jacksonville – FG Hollis 53
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 41
Jacksonville – FG Hollis 32
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 19
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 22

Week 8 (Thursday October 19, 1995): vs. [Cincinnati Bengals]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 8:00 pm EDTGame weather: Game attendance: 56,684Referee: Gary LaneTV announcers: Verne Lundquist, Pat Haden, Craig Sager
Scoring drives:

Cincinnati – Scott 47 pass from Blake
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 25
Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 31
Cincinnati – To. McGee 12 pass from Blake
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 28
Cincinnati – Pickens 41 pass from Blake
Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 38
Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 23
Pittsburgh – O'Donnell To Thigpen 60 yard touchdown

Week 9 (Sunday October 29, 1995): vs. [Jacksonville Jaguars]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 54,516Referee: Tom WhiteTV announcers: Don Criqui, Beasley Reece
Scoring drives:

Pittsburgh – Pegram 6 run
Pittsburgh – Thigpen 15 pass from O'Donnell
Pittsburgh – Williams 6 pass from O'Donnell
Jacksonville – Mitchell 16 pass from Brunell
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 36

Week 10 (Sunday November 5, 1995): at [Chicago Bears]

at Soldier Field, Chicago, IllinoisGame time: 4:00 pm ESTGame weather:Game attendance: 61,838Referee: Howard RoeTV announcers: Dick Enberg, Phil Simms & Paul Maguire
Scoring drives:

Chicago – FG Butler 40
Pittsburgh – Pegram 1 run
Chicago – Conway 6 pass from Kramer
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 40
Pittsburgh – Pegram 7 pass from O'Donnell
Chicago – Carter 12 pass from Kramer
Chicago – Wetnight 14 pass from Kramer
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 46
Chicago – FG Butler 27
Pittsburgh – Pegram 6 run
Chicago – Minter 2 interception return
Pittsburgh – Mills 11 pass form O'Donnell
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 24

With the win, the Steelers recorded their first-ever road victory in Chicago, ending a 10-game road losing streak to the Bears. As of 2025, this remains their only win in Chicago.

Week 11 (Monday November 13, 1995): vs. [Cleveland Browns]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 9:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 58,675Referee: Ron BlumTV announcers: Al Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan Dierdorf, Lynn Swann
Scoring drives:

Pittsburgh – Mills 2 pass from Stewart
Cleveland – FG Stover 29
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 38
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 34
Pittsburgh – Thigpen 9 pass from O'Donnell

Week 12 (Sunday November 19, 1995): at [Cincinnati Bengals]

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, OhioGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather:Game attendance: 54,636Referee: Bob McElweeTV announcers: Dick Enberg, Phil Simms & Paul Maguire
Scoring drives:

Cincinnati – Scott 4 pass from Blake
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 50
Cincinnati – Blake 1 run
Cincinnati – Pickens 1 pass from Blake
Pittsburgh – Mills 42 pass from O'Donnell
Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 27
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 26
Cincinnati – McGee 20 pass from Blake
Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run
Pittsburgh – Hastings 15 pass from O'Donnell
Pittsburgh – Stewart 71 pass from O'Donnell
Pittsburgh – Morris 3 run
Pittsburgh – Morris 8 run

Week 13 (Sunday November 26, 1995): at [Cleveland Browns]

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, OhioGame time: 4:00 pm ESTGame weather:Game attendance: 67,269Referee: Dick HantakTV announcers: Marv Albert, Phil Simms & Paul Maguire
Scoring drives:

Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 33
Pittsburgh – Bruener 12 pass from O'Donnell
Cleveland – FG Stover 44
Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run
Cleveland – Jackson 11 pass from Testaverde
Cleveland – Testaverde 1 run
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 27

Week 14 (Sunday December 3, 1995): vs. [Houston Oilers]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 56,013Referee: Red CashionTV announcers: Marv Albert, Cris Collinsworth
Scoring drives:

PIttsburgh – Thigpen 33 pass from O'Donnell
Houston – Sanders 76 pass from Chandler
Pittsburgh – Bruener 7 pass from O'Donnell
Pittsburgh – Morris 30 run

Week 15 (Sunday December 10, 1995): at [Oakland Raiders]

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CaliforniaGame time: 4:00 pm ESTGame weather:Game attendance: 53,516Referee: Larry NemmersTV announcers: Dick Enberg, Phil Simms & Paul Maguire
Scoring drives:

Pittsburgh – Mills 37 pass from O'Donnell
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 41
Oakland – Bruce 1 interception return
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 35
Pittsburgh – Mills 14 pass from O'Donnell
Oakland – FG Jaeger 39
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 32
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 20
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 22

The Steelers would not win another road game against the Raiders until 2023.

Week 16 (Saturday December 16, 1995): vs. [New England Patriots]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 12:30 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 57,158Referee: Bernie KukarTV announcers: Tom Hammond, Bob Trumpy
Scoring drives:

New England – FG Bahr 23
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 32
New England – FG Bahr 22
Pittsburgh – Thigpen 14 pass from O'Donnell
Pittsburgh – Buckner 46 fumble return
New England – Coates 6 pass from Bledsoe
Pittsburgh – Stewart 22 run
New England – Coates 6 pass from Bledsoe
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 32
New England – Martin 22 pass from Bledsoe
Pittsburgh – Mills 62 pass from O'Donnell
Pittsburgh – Oldham 23 fumble return

Week 17 (Sunday December 24, 1995): at [Green Bay Packers]

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WisconsinGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather:Game attendance: 60,649Referee: Jerry MarkbreitTV announcers: Charlie Jones, Randy Cross
Scoring drives:

Green Bay – Bennett 9 run
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 33
Green Bay – Brooks 19 pass from Favre
Pittsburgh – Mills 8 pass from O'Donnell
Green Bay – Chmura 1 pass from Favre
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 25
Green Bay – FG Jacke 47
Pittsburgh – Lester 2 run

Playoffs

Game summaries

AFC Divisional Playoff (Saturday January 6, 1996): vs. [Buffalo Bills]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 12:30 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 59,072Referee: Larry NemmersTV announcers: Marv Albert, Cris Collinsworth, Jim Gray
Scoring drives:

Pittsburgh – Williams 1 run
Pittsburgh – Mills 10 pass form O'Donnell
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 45
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 38
Buffalo – Thomas 1 run
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 34
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 39
Buffalo – Cline 2 pass from Van Pelt
Buffalo – Thomas 9 pass from Kelly
Pittsburgh – Morris 13 run
Pittsburgh – Morris 2 run

AFC Championship game (Sunday January 14, 1996): vs. [Indianapolis Colts]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 12:30 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 61,062Referee: Bernie KukarTV announcers: Dick Enberg, Phil Simms & Paul Maguire, Jim Gray & Will McDonough
Scoring drives:

Indianapolis – FG Blanchard 34
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 31
Indianapolis – FG Blanchard 36
Pittsburgh – Stewart 5 pass from O'Donnell
Indianapolis – FG Blanchard 37
Pittsburgh – FG Johnson 36
Indianapolis – Turner 47 pass from Harbaugh
Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run

[Super Bowl XXX] (Sunday January 28, 1996): vs. [Dallas Cowboys]

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, ArizonaGame time: 6:20 pm EST/4:20 pm PSTGame weather: Game attendance: 76,347Referee: Red CashionTV announcers: Dick Enberg, Phil Simms & Paul Maguire, Jim Gray & Will McDonough
Scoring drives:

Dallas – FG Boniol 42
Dallas – Novacek 3 pass from Aikman
Dallas – FG Boniol 35
Pittsburgh – Thigpen 6 pass from O'Donnell
Dallas – E. Smith 1 run
Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson
Pittsburgh – Morris 1 run
Dallas – E. Smith 4 run

Honors and awards

Pro Bowl Representatives

See: 1996 Pro Bowl

No. 37 Carnell Lake-Cornerback/Safety
No. 63 Dermontti Dawson-Center
No. 82 Yancey Thigpen-Wide Receiver
No. 91 Kevin Greene-Outside Linebacker
No. 95 Greg Lloyd-Outside Linebacker