# 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season

The 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 41st season in the National Football League. The team finished second in the AFC Central division, but qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season. The Steelers got off to a terrific start winning eight of their first nine games. However, a costly three game losing streak would put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. The Steelers would recover to win their last two games, but had to settle for a Wild Card berth with a 10–4 record. The Steelers would lose in the playoffs to the Oakland Raiders 33–14 in Oakland.
The 1973 Steelers' pass defense is arguably the greatest in the history of the NFL. Their defensive passer rating—the quarterback passer rating of all opposing quarterbacks throughout the season—was 33.1, an NFL record for the Super Bowl era.
According to Cold Hard Football Facts:
   Pittsburgh's pass-defense numbers that year were stunning. Opposing passers compiled the following stat-line:
   The figure that leaps screaming off the sheet is the amazing 37 picks in 14 games. The 2009 Jets, by comparison, allowed a puny 8 TDs in 16 games, but hauled in just 17 picks.
   Pittsburgh's all-time best pass defense was an equal-opportunity unit: Mike Wagner led the team with 8 INT, but 10 other guys recorded at least one pick. Amazing. Eleven defenders boasted at least one INT for Pittsburgh that season. The entire starting secondary recorded 24 picks alone, and Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount was last on the list: Wagner (8), safety Glen Edwards (6), cornerback John Rowser (6) and Blount (4).
The campaign was chronicled in Roy Blount Jr.'s 1974 book About Three Bricks Shy of a Load. The source of its title was Craig Hanneman whose endearing description of himself and his teammates after the regular season away victory over the Oakland Raiders was "We’re all about three bricks shy of a load."

## Offseason
### NFL Draft

| Team | Rd | Pick | Name | Pos | College |
| PIT | 1 | 24 | J.T. Thomas | DB | Florida St. |
| PIT | 2 | 50 | Ken Phares | DB | Mississippi St. |
| PIT | 3 | 76 | Roger Bernhardt | G | Kansas |
| PIT | 4 | 102 | Gail Clark | LB | Michigan St. |
| PIT | 5 | 106 | Dave Reavis | T | Arkansas |
| PIT | 5 | 128 | Larry Clark | LB | Northern Illinois |
| PIT | 6 | 140 | Ron Bell | RB | Illinois St. |
| PIT | 6 | 154 | Glenn Scolnik | WR | Indiana |
| PIT | 7 | 180 | Nate Dorsey | WR | Miss Valley St. |
| PIT | 8 | 192 | Loren Toews | LB | California |
| PIT | 8 | 206 | Bill Janssen | T | Nebraska |
| PIT | 9 | 232 | Bracey Bonham | G | North Carolina Central |
| PIT | 10 | 258 | Don Wunderly | DT | Arkansas |
| PIT | 11 | 284 | Bob White | DB | Arizona |
| PIT | 12 | 310 | Willie Lee | RB | Indiana St. |
| PIT | 13 | 336 | Rick Fergerson | WR | Kansas St. |
| PIT | 14 | 362 | Roger Cowan | DE | Stanford |
| PIT | 15 | 388 | Charles Cross | DB | Iowa |
| PIT | 16 | 414 | Glen Nardi | DT | Navy |
| PIT | 17 | 440 | Mike Shannon | DT | Oregon St. |

## Regular season
### Game summaries
#### Week 1

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Steelers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 24 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
* Date: September 16
* Game time: 4:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C); wind 11 mph (18 km/h)
* Game attendance: 48,913
* Referee: Fred Wyant
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Lions
Greg Landry 11/27, 219 Yds, TD, 3 INT 8 Rush, 65 Yds
Ron Jessie 3 Rec, 131 Yds, TD
Steelers
Terry Bradshaw 15/23, 124 Yds, 2 TD, INT
John Fuqua 26 Rush, 100 Yds
Barry Pearson 6 Rec, 58 Yds :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | DET | PIT |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | 11-yard field goal by Roy Gerela | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | | | | | Steelers | Bradshaw 1-yard touchdown run, Gerela kick good | 0 | 10 |
| 3 | | | | | Lions | Jessie 84-yard touchdown reception from Landry, Mann kick good | 7 | 10 |
| 3 | | | | | Lions | 40-yard field goal by Mann | 10 | 10 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | McMakin 24-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw, Gerela kick good | 10 | 17 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | Shanklin 6-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw, Gerela kick good | 10 | 24 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 10 | 24 |

#### Week 2

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Browns | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Steelers | 10 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 33 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: September 23
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C); wind 14 mph (23 km/h)
* Game attendance: 49,396
* Referee: Tommy Bell
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Browns
Mike Phipps 15/29, 157 Yds, 3 INT
Leroy Kelly 13 Rush, 39 Yds
Frank Pitts 2 Rec, 33 Yds
Steelers
Terry Bradshaw 5/14, 140 Yds, TD, INT
John Fuqua 16 Rush, 80 Yds
Frank Lewis 3 Rec, 92 Yds, 2 TD :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | CLE | PIT |
| 1 | | | | | Steelers | 12-yard field goal by Gerela | 0 | 3 |
| 1 | | | | | Browns | 43-yard field goal by Cockroft | 3 | 3 |
| 1 | | | | | Steelers | Fuqua 4-yard touchdown run, Gerela kick good | 3 | 10 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | 40-yard field goal by Gerela | 3 | 13 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | 26-yard field goal by Gerela | 3 | 16 |
| 3 | | | | | Steelers | 44-yard field goal by Gerela | 3 | 19 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | Lewis 8-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw, Gerela kick good | 3 | 26 |
| 4 | | | | | Browns | 28-yard field goal by Cockroft | 6 | 26 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | Lewis 53-yard touchdown reception from Hanratty, Gerela kick good | 6 | 33 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 6 | 33 |

#### Week 3

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 3 | 3 | 13 | 17 | 36 |
| Oilers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
* Date: September 30
* Game time: 2:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Indoors (dome)
* Game attendance: 39,331
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Steelers
Terry Bradshaw 9/17, 159 Yds, TD, 2 INT
John Fuqua 13 Rush, 48 Yds
Frank Lewis 1 Rec, 44 Yds
Oilers
Dan Pastorini 14/25, 87 Yds, TD, 2 INT
Bob Gresham 14 Rush, 41 Yds
Billy Parks 7 Rec, 80 Yds :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | PIT | HOU |
| 1 | | | | | Steelers | 20-yard field goal by Gerela | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | | | | | Oilers | Alston 7-yard touchdown reception from Pastorini, Butler kick good | 3 | 7 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | 47-yard field goal by Gerela | 6 | 7 |
| 3 | | | | | Steelers | Bradshaw 1-yard touchdown run, Gerela kick no good | 12 | 7 |
| 3 | | | | | Steelers | Interception returned 45 yards for touchdown by Russell, Gerela kick good | 19 | 7 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | Shanklin 26-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw, Gerela kick good | 26 | 7 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | 26-yard field goal by Gerela | 29 | 7 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | Interception returned 86 yards for touchdown by Edwards, Gerela kick good | 36 | 7 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 36 | 7 |

#### Week 4

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 21 |
| Steelers | 17 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
at Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: October 7
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C) • Wind 7 mph (11 km/h)
* Game attendance: 48,795
* Referee: Pat Haggerty
* Pro-Football-Reference
Game information :
Chargers
Dan Fouts 11/21, 174 Yds, TD, INT
Cid Edwards 13 Rush, 94 Yds
Clint Jones 2 Rec, 51 Yds
Steelers
Terry Bradshaw 7/16, 99 Yds, TD, INT
Preston Pearson 6 Rush, 64 Yds
Frank Lewis 4 Rec, 61 Yds :
Johnny Unitas playing for San Diego is knocked out of the game after completing only 3 of 15 passes for 24 yards and three interceptions.
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | SD | PIT |
| 1 | | | | | Steelers | Shanklin 12-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw, Gerela kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | | | | | Steelers | Bradshaw 1-yard touchdown run, Gerela kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 1 | | | | | Steelers | 38-yard field goal by Gerela | 0 | 17 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | Davis 1-yard touchdown run, Gerela kick good | 0 | 24 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | Blocked punt recovered in end zone for touchdown by Wagner, Gerela kick good | 0 | 31 |
| 3 | | | | | Steelers | Shanklin 37-yard touchdown reception from Hanratty, Gerela kick good | 0 | 38 |
| 4 | | | | | Chargers | LeVias 13-yard touchdown reception from Fouts, Wersching kick good | 7 | 38 |
| 4 | | | | | Chargers | Jones 3-yard touchdown run, Wersching kick good | 14 | 38 |
| 4 | | | | | Chargers | Holmes 1-yard touchdown run, Wersching kick good | 21 | 38 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 21 | 38 |

#### Week 5

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Bengals | 6 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 19 |
at Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio
* Date: October 14
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) • Wind 8 mph (13 km/h)
* Game attendance: 55,819
* Referee: Dick Jorgensen
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Steelers
Terry Bradshaw 9/14, 106 Yds, INT
Preston Pearson 12 Rush, 39 Yds, TD
Ron Shanklin 1 Rec, 67 Yds
Bengals
Ken Anderson 9/21, 78 Yds
Boobie Clark 28 Rush, 112 Yds, TD
Isaac Curtis 3 Rec, 46 Yds :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | PIT | CIN |
| 1 | | | | | Bengals | 20-yard field goal by Muhlmann | 0 | 3 |
| 1 | | | | | Bengals | 19-yard field goal by Muhlmann | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | | | | | Bengals | 20-yard field goal by Muhlmann | 0 | 9 |
| 3 | | | | | Bengals | Clark 3-yard touchdown run, Muhlmann kick good | 0 | 16 |
| 4 | | | | | Bengals | 41-yard field goal by Muhlmann | 0 | 19 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | Pearson 1-yard touchdown run, Gerela kick good | 7 | 19 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 7 | 19 |

#### Week 6

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Steelers | 0 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 26 |
at Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: October 21
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C) • Wind 9 mph (14 km/h)
* Game attendance: 48,682
* Referee: John McDonough
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Jets
Bill Demory 6/15, 84 Yds, TD, 3 INT
John Riggins 15 Rush, 42 Yds, TD
Rich Caster 1 Rec, 28 Yds, TD
Steelers
Terry Bradshaw 8/18, 119 Yds, INT
Franco Harris 25 Rush, 102 Yds, TD
Ron Shanklin 3 Rec, 68 Yds, TD :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NYJ | PIT |
| 1 | | | | | Jets | Riggins 1-yard touchdown run, Howfield kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | 27-yard field goal by Gerela | 7 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | 29-yard field goal by Gerela | 7 | 6 |
| 2 | | | | | Jets | Caster 28-yard touchdown reception from Demory, Howfield kick good | 14 | 6 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | 36-yard field goal by Gerela | 14 | 9 |
| 3 | | | | | Steelers | 13-yard field goal by Gerela | 14 | 12 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | Shanklin 16-yard touchdown reception from Hanratty, Gerela kick good | 14 | 19 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | Harris 2-yard touchdown run, Gerela kick good | 14 | 26 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 14 | 26 |

#### Week 7 vs Bengals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bengals | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
| Steelers | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
at Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: October 28
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C) • Wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
* Game attendance: 45,761
* Referee: Norm Schachter
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Bengals
Ken Anderson 20/38, 230 Yds, TD, 3 INT
Boobie Clark 15 Rush, 60 Yds 10 Rec, 68 Yds
Steelers
Terry Hanratty 4/7, 127 Yds, TD, INT
Franco Harris 21 Rush, 43 Yds
Ron Shanklin 3 Rec, 104 Yds, TD :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | CIN | PIT |
| 1 | | | | | Steelers | 15-yard field goal by Roy Gerela | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Bengals | 17-yard field goal by Horst Muhlmann | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Bengals | 41-yard field goal by Horst Muhlmann | 6 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | Ron Shanklin 51-yard touchdown reception from Terry Hanratty, Roy Gerela kick good | 6 | 10 |
| 3 | | | | | Steelers | 18-yard field goal by Roy Gerela | 6 | 13 |
| 3 | | | | | Steelers | John Fuqua 1-yard touchdown run, Roy Gerela kick good | 6 | 20 |
| 4 | | | | | Bengals | Essex Johnson 16-yard touchdown reception from Ken Anderson, Horst Muhlmann kick good | 13 | 20 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 13 | 20 |

#### Week 8 vs Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
| Steelers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
at Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: Monday, November 5
* Game time: 9:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C) • Wind 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn)
* Game attendance: 49,220
* Referee: Tommy Bell
* TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Redskins
Billy Kilmer 9/22, 76 Yds, TD, 2 INT
Charley Harraway 13 Rush, 63 Yds
Jerry Smith 4 Rec, 34 Yds
Steelers
Joe Gilliam 3/10, 71 Yds, TD, 2 INT
Franco Harris 25 Rush, 90 Yds
Barry Pearson 2 Rec, 57 Yds, TD :
Joe Gilliam makes Monday Night Football debut
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | WSH | PIT |
| 1 | | | | | Redskins | 30-yard field goal by Curt Knight | 3 | 0 |
| 1 | | | | | Steelers | Preston Pearson 7-yard touchdown reception from Terry Hanratty, Roy Gerela kick good | 3 | 7 |
| 2 | | | | | Redskins | 12-yard field goal by Curt Knight | 6 | 7 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | Ron Shanklin 24-yard touchdown reception from Terry Hanratty, Roy Gerela kick good | 6 | 14 |
| 3 | | | | | Redskins | 16-yard field goal by Curt Knight | 9 | 14 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | Barry Pearson 46-yard touchdown reception from Joe Gilliam, Roy Gerela kick good | 9 | 21 |
| 4 | | | | | Redskins | Larry Brown 17-yard touchdown reception from Billy Kilmer, Curt Knight kick good | 16 | 21 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 16 | 21 |

#### Week 9 at Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Raiders | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 |
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum • Oakland, California
* Date: November 11
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C) • Wind 16 miles per hour (26 km/h; 14 kn)
* Game attendance: 47,535
* Referee: Bernie Ulman
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
Steelers
Terry Hanratty 6/19, 86 Yds, TD, INT
Franco Harris 20 Rush, 77 Yds, TD
Ron Shanklin 2 Rec, 41 Yds, TD
Raiders
Daryle Lamonica 13/31, 236 Yds, TD, 4 INT
Charlie Smith 13 Rush, 74 Yds
Fred Biletnikoff 4 Rec, 105 Yds, TD :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | PIT | OAK |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | Ron Shanklin 14-yard touchdown reception from Terry Hanratty, Roy Gerela kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | | | | | Raiders | 40-yard field goal by George Blanda | 7 | 3 |
| 3 | | | | | Steelers | Franco Harris 1-yard touchdown run, Roy Gerela kick good | 14 | 3 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | 17-yard field goal by Roy Gerela | 17 | 3 |
| 4 | | | | | Raiders | Fred Biletnikoff 27-yard touchdown reception from Daryle Lamonica, George Blanda kick no good | 17 | 9 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 17 | 9 |

#### Week 10 vs Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos | 3 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 23 |
| Steelers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: November 18, 1973
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 35 °F (2 °C)
* Game attendance: 48,580
* Referee: Fred Silva
* Box Score
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Broncos | Passing | Charley Johnson | 13/20, 86 Yds, TD |
| Broncos | Rushing | Floyd Little | 27 Rush, 88 Yds, TD |
| Broncos | Receiving | Riley Odoms | 6 Rec, 47 Yds, TD |
| Steelers | Passing | Terry Hanratty | 10/19, 217 Yds, TD |
| Steelers | Rushing | Franco Harris | 11 Rush, 53 Yds |
| Steelers | Receiving | John McMakin | 3 Rec, 64 Yds |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | DEN | PIT |
| 1 | | | | | Broncos | 32-yard field goal by Jim Turner | 3 | 0 |
| 1 | | | | | Steelers | 15-yard field goal by Roy Gerela | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Steelers | 13-yard field goal by Roy Gerela | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | | | | | Broncos | 11-yard field goal by Jim Turner | 6 | 6 |
| 3 | | | | | Broncos | Floyd Little 10-yard touchdown run, Jim Turner kick good | 13 | 6 |
| 4 | | | | | Steelers | Ron Shanklin 42-yard touchdown reception from Terry Hanratty, Roy Gerela kick good | 13 | 13 |
| 4 | | | | | Broncos | 46-yard field goal by Jim Turner | 16 | 13 |
| 4 | | | | | Broncos | Riley Odoms 2-yard touchdown reception from Charley Johnson, Jim Turner kick good | 23 | 13 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 23 | 13 |

#### Week 11

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
| • Browns | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |

##### Game summary

Scoring drives:
* Pittsburgh – Shanklin 9 pass from Gilliam (Gerela kick) – Steelers 7–0
* Cleveland – Phipps 1 run (Cockroft kick) – Tie 7–7
* Cleveland – Pruitt 15 pass from Phipps (Cockroft kick) – Browns 14-7
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 24 – Browns 14-10
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 14 – Browns 14-13
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 20 – Steelers 16–14
* Cleveland – Pruitt 19 run (Cockroft kick) – Browns 21–16

#### Week 12 (Monday December 3, 1973): at Miami Dolphins

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 26 |
| • Dolphins | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 30 |

##### Game summary

Scoring drives:
* Miami – Anderson 27 interception return (Yepremian kick) – Dolphins 7–0
* Miami – FG Yepremian 28 – Dolphins 10–0
* Miami – FG Yepremian 46 – Dolphins 13–0
* Miami – Mandich 2 pass from Griese (Yepremian kick) – Dolphins 20–0
* Miami – Anderson 38 interception return (Yepremian kick) – Dolphins 27–0
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 37 – Dolphins 27–3
* Miami – FG Yepremian 14 – Dolphins 30–3
* Pittsburgh – P. Pearson 5 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Dolphins 30–10
* Pittsburgh – Harris 21 run (Gerela kick) – Dolphins 30–17
* Pittsburgh – B. Pearson 17 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Dolphins 30–24
* Pittsburgh – Safety, White tackled Griese in end zone – Dolphins 30–26

#### Week 13

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • Steelers | 3 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 33 |

##### Game summary

Scoring drives:
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 49 – Steelers 3–0
* Houston – Alston 11 pass from Pastorini (Butler kick) – Oilers 7–3
* Pittsburgh – B. Pearson 15 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Steelers 10–7
* Pittsburgh – Steve Davis 3 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Steelers 17–7
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 31 – Steelers 20–7
* Pittsburgh – Ham recovered fumble in end zone (Gerela kick) – Steelers 27–7
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 20 – Steelers 30–7
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 42 – Steelers 33–7

#### Week 14

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Steelers | 7 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 37 |
| 49ers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |

##### Game summary

John Brodie's number 12 was retired prior to game.
Scoring drives:
* Pittsburgh – Rowser 71 interception return (Gerela kick) – Steelers 7–0
* San Francisco – Hall recovered blocked punt in end zone (Gossett kick) – Tie 7–7
* Pittsburgh – P. Pearson 1 run (Gerela kick) – Steelers 14–7
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 27 – Steelers 17–7
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 27 – Steelers 20–7
* Pittsburgh – Lewis 50 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Steelers 27–7
* Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 35 – Steelers 30–7
* Pittsburgh – Steve Davis 1 run (Gerela kick) – Steelers 37–7
* San Francisco – Atkins 3 run (Gossett kick) – Steelers 37–14

### Standings

AFC Central :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | 4–2 | 8–3 | 286 | 231 | W6 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | 4–2 | 7–4 | 347 | 210 | W2 |
| Cleveland Browns | 7 | 5 | 2 | .571 | 4–2 | 6–3–2 | 234 | 255 | L2 |
| Houston Oilers | 1 | 13 | 0 | .071 | 0–6 | 1–10 | 199 | 447 | L6 |

## Postseason
### AFC Divisional: @ Oakland Raiders

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| • Raiders | 7 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 33 |

#### Scoring Drives

* Oakland – Hubbard 1 run (Blanda kick) – Raiders 7–0
* Oakland – FG Blanda 25 – Raiders 10–0
* Pittsburgh – B. Pearson 4 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Raiders 10–7
* Oakland – FG Blanda 31 – Raiders 13–7
* Oakland – FG Blanda 22 – Raiders 16–7
* Oakland – Brown 54 interception return (Blanda kick) – Raiders 23–7
* Oakland – FG Blanda 10 – Raiders 26–7
* Pittsburgh – Lewis 26 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) – Raiders 26–14
* Oakland – Hubbard 1 run (Blanda kick) – Raiders 33–14