The 2007 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 75th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). It was the 8th season under leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the first under head coach Mike Tomlin, after going 8–8 last season. The Steelers finished the year at 10–6. However, they lost 31–29 at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild card round.
Personnel
Staff
Notable additions include; LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, Daniel Sepulveda, William Gay.
Roster
2007 NFL draft The 2007 NFL draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The Steelers selected eight players in six rounds.
Schedule
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap HOF vs. New Orleans Saints W 20–7 1–0 Fawcett Stadium (Canton, Ohio)Recap 2 Green Bay Packers L 9–13 1–1 Heinz FieldRecap 3 at Washington Redskins W 12–10 2–1 FedExFieldRecap 4 Philadelphia Eagles W 27–13 3–1 Heinz FieldRecap 5 at Carolina Panthers W 19–3 4–1 Bank of America StadiumRecap
Regular season Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 September 9 at Cleveland Browns W 34–7 1–0 Cleveland Browns Stadium Summary 2 September 16 Buffalo Bills W 26–3 2–0 Heinz Field Summary 3 September 23 San Francisco 49ers W 37–16 3–0 Heinz Field Summary 4 September 30 at Arizona Cardinals L 14–21 3–1 University of Phoenix Stadium Summary 5 October 7 Seattle Seahawks W 21–0 4–1 Heinz Field Summary 6 Bye week 7 October 21 at Denver Broncos L 28–31 4–2 Invesco Field at Mile High Summary8 October 28 at Cincinnati Bengals W 24–13 5–2 Paul Brown Stadium Summary 9 Baltimore Ravens W 38–7 6–2 Heinz Field Summary 10 November 11 Cleveland Browns W 31–28 7–2 Heinz Field Summary 11 November 18 at New York Jets L 16–19 (OT) 7–3 Giants Stadium Summary 12 Miami Dolphins W 3–0 8–3 Heinz Field Summary 13 December 2 Cincinnati Bengals W 24–10 9–3 Heinz Field Summary 14 December 9 at New England Patriots L 13–34 9–4 Gillette Stadium Summary 15 December 16 Jacksonville Jaguars L 22–29 9–5 Heinz Field Summary 16 at St. Louis Rams W 41–24 10–5 Edward Jones Dome Summary 17 December 30 at Baltimore Ravens L 21–27 10–6 M&T Bank Stadium Summary
Note: Intra-divisional opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Pro Bowl selections
Six players from the Steelers were selected to play in the 2008 Pro Bowl. Two started (bold), two were selected to the reserve squad, and two did not play due to injury.
No. 7 Ben Roethlisberger – Quarterback (reserve) No. 39 Willie Parker – Running back (injured, did not play) No. 43 Troy Polamalu – Strong safety (injured, did not play) No. 66 Alan Faneca – Offensive guard No. 92 James Harrison – Outside linebacker No. 98 Casey Hampton – Defensive tackle (reserve)
Regular season
Week 1 (Sunday September 9, 2007): at Cleveland Browns
The Steelers began their anniversary season on the road against their AFC North foe, the Cleveland Browns, for Round 1 of the 2007 Rust Belt series. Also, with both teams at 55 wins a piece, the Steelers would take the lead in the rivalry for the first time in the 57-year history of the rivalry.
Pittsburgh got off to a fast start in the first quarter as QB Ben Roethlisberger completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Hines Ward. Later, kicker Jeff Reed made a 26-yard field goal, while Roethlisberger completed a 40-yard TD pass to WR Santonio Holmes. After a scoreless second quarter, the Steelers went right back to work in the third quarter, as Roethlisberger completed a 5-yard TD pass to rookie TE Matt Spaeth. Afterwards, the Browns got their only score of the game as QB Derek Anderson completed a 1-yard TD pass to FB Lawrence Vickers. Pittsburgh put the game well out of reach as Roethlisberger threw his career-best 4th touchdown pass of the game, a 22-yard strike to TE Heath Miller. In the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh wrapped up the win with Reed's 31-yard field goal.
With the win, the Steelers began the year at 1–0, gave Mike Tomlin his first win as a head coach, and for the first time in franchise history, took the lead in the Rust Belt series with win #56.
Scoring Drives:
Q1 – PIT – 11:49 – 5-yard TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Hines Ward (Jeff Reed kick) (7–0 PIT) Q1 – PIT – 8:53 – Jeff Reed 26-yard FG (14–0 PIT) Q1 – PIT – 0:58 – 40-yard TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes (Reed kick) (17–0 PIT) Q3 – PIT – 10:33 – 5-yard TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Matt Spaeth (Reed kick) (24–0 PIT) Q3 – CLE – 6:52 – 1-yard TD pass from Derek Anderson to Lawrence Vickers (Phil Dawson kick) (24–7 PIT) Q3 – PIT – 2:23 – 22-yard TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Heath Miller (Reed kick) (31–7 PIT) Q4 – PIT – 7:12 – Jeff Reed 31-yard FG (34–7 PIT)
Week 2 (Sunday September 16, 2007): vs. Buffalo Bills
Coming off their easy road win over the Browns, the Steelers debuted their special throwback uniforms and clashed with the Buffalo Bills in a Week 2 home opener. In the first half, despite the early struggles on offense, the defense kept the Bills back. Meanwhile, kicker Jeff Reed scored a 34-yard field goal in the first quarter, and added 28-yard and 39-yard field goals in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Buffalo would get their only score against Pittsburgh, as kicker Rian Lindell got a 24-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Steelers took over for the rest of the game as QB Ben Roethlisberger completed a 1-yard TD pass to rookie TE Matt Spaeth. In the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh closed out the game with RB Willie Parker getting an 11-yard TD run.
With the win, the Steelers improved to 2–0.
Week 3 (Sunday September 23, 2007): vs. San Francisco 49ers
In Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers, the Steelers found themselves trailing for the first time on the young season as the 49ers drove deep into Pittsburgh territory before being forced to settle for a 32-yard field goal by Joe Nedney. The San Francisco lead lasted exactly 12 seconds, as Allen Rossum returned to ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to give Pittsburgh a 7–3 advantage. The Niners went 3-and-out on their next drive, but they sacked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and forced him to fumble on the Steelers' second offensive play from scrimmage. San Francisco recovered the fumble at the Pittsburgh 22 and drove to the 4, but was held to another Nedney field goal, this one from 22 yards out, to cut the Steelers' lead to 1. The teams exchanged punts until late in the second quarter, when Pittsburgh drove 80 yards on 12 plays which culminated in a Roethlisberger touchdown pass to Jerame Tuman to give the Steelers a 14–6 lead into the half.
Pittsburgh took the ball to begin the second half, and drove to the San Francisco 18 before being stopped (a catch by Heath Miller at the 49ers 2 yard line was overturned after a successful challenge by San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan showed that Miller was out of bounds). The Steelers were forced to settle for a 36-yard field goal by Jeff Reed to increase their lead to 17–6. On the 49ers' ensuing drive, Alex Smith hit leaping tight end Vernon Davis at the Pittsburgh 5 yard line when he was hit by strong safety Troy Polamalu and flipped into the air. Davis hit the ground, and the ball popped up and was caught by free safety Ryan Clark, who returned it into San Francisco territory. Nolan challenged the play, arguing that Davis was down by contact at the Pittsburgh 5. Referee Gerry Austin ruled instead that the ball had hit the ground, and that the pass was therefore incomplete (the Niners still won the challenge, as the original call of an interception was overturned). The 49ers could not drive any further, and Nedney kicked a 49-yard field goal to make it 17–9, Pittsburgh. The Steelers got the ball back after the field goal and drove deep into 49ers territory before Reed kicked a 49-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to give the Steelers a 20–9 lead. The 49ers' next drive resulted in a punt, and the Steelers drove into field goal range again. Reed's 35-yard kick was good, and the Steelers led 23–9. On the ensuing possession by San Francisco was facing a crucial 3rd and 5 from their own 42. Smith forced a throw into coverage, and it was intercepted by Steeler cornerback Bryant McFadden and returned for a touchdown to give Pittsburgh a commanding 30–9 lead. Smith drove the 49ers down the field on their next possession, and he threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Jacobs to give San Francisco its first and only touchdown of the day. The 49ers tried to execute an onside kick, but Nedney's kick was recovered by Steeler punter Daniel Sepulveda. The Steelers then attempted to run out the clock by handing the ball off to backup running back Najeh Davenport, but Davenport broke a 39-yard touchdown run with under 2 minutes to go to give the Steelers a 37–16 lead, which would be the final score. The Niners attempted one last drive, but could not even gain a first down.
With the win Pittsburgh became one of five NFL teams to increase its record to 3–0, while San Francisco dropped to 2–1. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was 13 of 20 for 160 yards with a touchdown and a lost fumble, while Alex Smith was 17 of 35 for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Both were sacked twice. Willie Parker ran for 133 yards on 24 carries, while Frank Gore was held to 39 yards on 14 carries.
Week 4 (Sunday September 30, 2007): at Arizona Cardinals
Coming off their interconference home win over the 49ers, the Steelers flew to University of Phoenix Stadium for an interconference duel with the Arizona Cardinals, in what turned out to be a preview of next year's Super Bowl. Near the end of the first quarter, Pittsburgh delivered the first punch as QB Ben Roethlisberger completed a 43-yard TD pass to WR Santonio Holmes for the only score of the period. However, after a scoreless second quarter, the Cardinals responded with back-up QB Kurt Warner completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, things went wrong for the Steelers as Arizona took the lead with WR Steve Breaston returning a punt 73 yards for a touchdown, while RB Edgerrin James got a 2-yard TD run. Pittsburgh tried to mount a comeback as Roethlisberger and Holmes hooked up with each other again on a 7-yard TD pass. However, the Steelers' final drive ended with an interception.
With the loss, Pittsburgh fell to 3–1.
Week 5 (Sunday October 7, 2007): vs. Seattle Seahawks
Trying to rebound from their road loss to the Cardinals, the Steelers went home for a Week 5 interconference duel with the Seattle Seahawks, in the rematch of Super Bowl XL. Going into the game, Pittsburgh was without Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Troy Polamalu, and Casey Hampton, due to injuries.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Steelers drew first blood with QB Ben Roethlisberger completing a 13-yard TD pass to TE Heath Miller to lead 7–0 at halftime. In the second half, Pittsburgh completed the shutout with RB Najeh Davenport running 1 yard for a TD in the third quarter and 5 yards for a TD in the fourth.
With the win, Pittsburgh entered its bye week at 4–1. During the game, the Steelers had over 40 minutes of possession, including 25 minutes of the second half. In their first five games Pittsburgh had outscored its opponents 57–6 in the first half. The Steelers also improved to 4–0 on the year when RB Willie Parker has a 100-yard rushing game, as he ran 28 times for 102 yards.
Week 6 (Sunday October 14, 2007): Bye Week
The Steelers did not take part in any trades or acquisitions during their bye week. They were able to give their injured players an extra week to heal as Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Troy Polamalu, and Casey Hampton were all sidelined due to injuries.
Week 7 (Sunday October 21, 2007): at Denver Broncos