2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season


The 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 69th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League. After finishing the previous three seasons a combined 22–26, the Steelers returned to the top seed in the AFC, rolling to a 13–3 record in their first playoff berth and AFC Central title since 1997 and playing at Heinz Field. The Steelers went 7–1 in their new home stadium, with the only loss coming to the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.
However, for the third time in Bill Cowher's coaching tenure, the Steelers fell in the AFC Championship Game at home. This time, the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots upset the top-seeded Steelers.
The Steelers ran the ball 580 times in 2001, the most in the NFL.

Personnel

Notable additions include Casey Hampton, Jeff Hartings and Kendrell Bell.

Standings

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday September 9, 2001): at [Jacksonville Jaguars]

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, FloridaGame time: 1:00 pm EDTGame weather: Game attendance: 63,785Referee: Mack GentryTV announcers: Don Criqui, Craig James, Beasley Reece

- (Sunday September 16, 2001): vs. [Cleveland Browns]

Due to the September 11th attacks the National Football League postponed all games. It was played after the rest of the scheduled season had been completed.

Week 3 (Sunday September 30, 2001): at [Buffalo Bills]

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New YorkGame time: 1:00 pm EDTGame weather: Game attendance: 72,874Referee: Tom WhiteTV announcers: Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

Week 4 (Sunday October 7, 2001): vs. [Cincinnati Bengals]

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 1:00 pm EDTGame weather: Game attendance: 62,335Referee: Larry NemmersTV announcers: Bill Macatee, Trevor Matich
This was the first game at Heinz Field. Also Jerome Bettis passed 10,000 yards rushing for his career.

Week 5 (Sunday October 14, 2001): at [Kansas City Chiefs]

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MissouriGame time: 1:00 pm EDTGame weather: Game attendance: 78,413 Referee: Ron BlumTV announcers: Gus Johnson, Brent Jones

Week 6 (Sunday October 21, 2001): at [Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FloridaGame time: 1:00 pm EDTGame weather: Game attendance: 65,588Referee: Ed HochuliTV announcers: Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein

Week 7 (Monday October 29, 2001): vs. [Tennessee Titans]

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 9:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 63,763Referee: Terry McAulayTV announcers: Al Michaels, Dan Fouts & Dennis Miller, Eric Dickerson & Melissa Stark

Week 8 (Sunday November 4, 2001): vs. [Baltimore Ravens]

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 62,906Referee: Bob McElweeTV announcers: Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein

Week 9 (Sunday November 11, 2001): at [Cleveland Browns]

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OhioGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 73,218Referee: Dick HantakTV announcers: Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

Week 10 (Sunday November 18, 2001): vs. [Jacksonville Jaguars]

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 4:05 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 62,644Referee: Ron WinterTV announcers: Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

Week 11 (Sunday November 25, 2001): at [Tennessee Titans]

at Adelphia Coliseum, Nashville, TennesseeGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 68,801Referee: Bill LeavyTV announcers: Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein

Week 12 (Sunday December 2, 2001): vs. [Minnesota Vikings]

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 62,661Referee: Tony CorrenteTV announcers: Dick Stockton, Troy Aikman & Daryl Johnston, Pam Oliver

Week 13 (Sunday December 9, 2001): vs. [New York Jets]

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 4:15 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 62,884Referee: Terry McAulayTV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian

Week 14 (Sunday December 16, 2001): at [Baltimore Ravens]

at PSINet Stadium, Baltimore, MarylandGame time: 8:30 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 69,506Referee: Tom WhiteTV announcers: Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann & Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber

Week 15 (Sunday December 23, 2001): vs. [Detroit Lions]

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 62,809Referee: Johnny GrierTV announcers: Kenny Albert, Tim Green, Jennifer Hammond

Week 16 (Sunday December 30, 2001): at [Cincinnati Bengals]

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OhioGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 63,751Referee: Jeff TripletteTV announcers: Gus Johnson, Brent Jones

Week 17 (Sunday January 6, 2002): vs. [Cleveland Browns]

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 1:00 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 59,189Referee: Bernie KukarTV announcers: Gus Johnson, Brent Jones

Playoffs

Game summaries

AFC Divisional Playoff (Sunday January 20, 2002): vs. [Baltimore Ravens]

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 12:30 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 63,976Referee: Tony CorrenteTV announcers: Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein

AFC Championship Game (Sunday January 27, 2002): vs. [New England Patriots]

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGame time: 12:30 pm ESTGame weather: Game attendance: 64,704Referee: Ed HochuliTV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian & Bonnie Bernstein

Honors and awards

Pro Bowl Representatives

See: 2002 Pro Bowl