Pittsburgh has been hit with record-breaking heat this week, with today being one of the hottest days on record. Temperatures felt like well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That got me thinking: what is the hottest game the Steelers have ever played? So far, we’ve discussed the coldest games in Steelers history, but today we’ll look at the top three hottest games.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans, Week 2, 2005 – 94
Some official records indicate that the temperature in Houston that day was only 90 degrees, but historical weather data shows that the temperature was 92 degrees at kickoff and rose to 94 degrees by the second half of the game.
Fortunately, the heat did not slow the Steelers down, as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and went on to win the game 27-7. WR Hines Ward reached the end zone twice in the first 15 minutes, scoring midway through the first quarter and on the first play of the second quarter. RB Willie Parker didn’t let the heat stop him, rushing for over 100 yards and capping off the scoring with a 10-yard rush in the fourth quarter.
Here are both of Ward’s scores.
Defensively, QB Derek Carr felt as overwhelmed by the Steelers’ pass rush as he was by the Texas sun. Houston was sacked eight times and managed just 221 total yards on offense, with OLB Clark Hagans forcing a fumble that led to Pittsburgh’s first touchdown of the game.
According to the Associated Press, temperatures on the field exceeded 100 degrees, with some fans desperate to beat the heat.
“The field temperature was well over 110 degrees at the start of the game and continued to rise. Roethlisberger headed to the sideline to get a towel to wipe his sweaty face after just seven plays, but he took every offensive snap.
The heat certainly had an effect, as thousands of fans vacated their sun-soaked seats by the middle of the third quarter.
Pittsburgh became the first sixth seed to win the Super Bowl. Houston finished the season with a 2-14 record, and head coach Dom Capers retired after the season.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Chicago Bears, Week 3, 2017 – 91 degrees
According to Wunderground, the temperature during the game reached 91 degrees Fahrenheit. The only thing hotter than the weather was the Steelers (minus OT Alejandro Villanueva), who were in the tunnel during the national anthem amid Twitter comments and the Colin Kaepernick furore.
Pittsburgh went home with an ugly 23-17 loss in overtime. Despite the touchdown advantage, the Steelers played it cool and trailed 17-7 by halftime. The margin would have been much worse if not for the stellar work of tight end Vance McDonald, who had a blocked field goal and touchdown try late in the half.
The Steelers tied the game at 17-17 with a Le’Veon Bell touchdown and a Chris Boswell field goal. Going into overtime, the Steelers never got a chance to win. Chicago won the coin toss, received and needed just four plays to score. They outplayed Pittsburgh on the ground with some truly awful run defense from CB Artie Burns and company, and RB Jordan Howard tucked the ball in from 19 yards out to secure the win.
The only saving grace was that the Steelers won 9 of their next 10 games to finish the regular season with a 13-3 record.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Week 3, 2010 – 90 degrees
Pittsburgh decided the game in the second quarter. Trailing 7-6, the Steelers scored 21 points in the second quarter. QB Charlie Batch, filling in for the suspended Ben Roethlisberger, threw touchdown passes to Mike Wallace and Hines Ward, and running back Rashard Mendenhall got the ball from 3 yards out. Pittsburgh led 28-6 at halftime.
The most memorable play of the game was when a James Harrison deflection/hit sent the ball flying into the air for DE Brett Keisel to return the interception 79 yards. Keisel led the Steelers in scoring a big man touchdown.
When the Steelers were playing like that, Pittsburgh was winning handily, which helped them deal with the heat and probably allowed them to rest early.
