For those of you who have read Behind the Steel Curtain since at least this past summer, you probably remember maryrose's countdown of the 12 Greatest non-Super Bowl wins. Here was his list, which he completed just before the start of the '10 season, as well as an explanation about his selection process.
This series has highlighted my Top 12 Greatest Wins in Pittsburgh Steelers' history. I do not include Super Bowls, as they would eat up half the series! Please keep in mind that these wins are not necessarily the most important wins. If that were the case, then only the deepest playoff wins would be recounted. Sometimes "importance" is a factor, but not always. Sometimes the underdog factor comes into play and sometimes the comeback factor is the reason for a game being selected where it is. Sometimes it is just the way the game unfolded. In any case, this is just one person's opinion, so there is no right and wrong, just fun. Enjoy. - maryrose-
#12 - Steelers 20, 49ers 17 (1984)
#11 - Steelers 20, Colts 16 (1995)
#10 - Steelers 23, Browns 7 (1964)
#9 - Steelers 24, Broncos 17 (1984)
#8 - Steelers 26, Oilers 23 OT (1989)
#7 - Steelers 29, Browns 9 (1994)
#6 - Steelers 23, Ravens 14 (2008 Playoffs)
#5 - Steelers 63, Giants 7 (1952)
#4 - Steelers 36, Browns 33 (2002)
#3 - Steelers 24, Raiders 13 (1974)
#2 - Steelers 21, Colts 18 (2005)
#1 - Steelers 13, Raiders 7 (1972)
So, my question to you is this: does the Steelers 31-24 win over Baltimore in the 2010 AFC Divisional Round merit a place in this list? If so, where might you rank it in this particular hierarchy of games, or in your similar list?
Obviously the win becomes more 'important' in the annals of history if the Steelers go on to win Lombardi No. 7. But as maryrose stated, the list isn't necessarily the most important wins. If those were the parameters for inclusion, the list would be populated by all those playoff wins in the team's six Super Bowl years. The list instead encapsulates what should be considered the 'greatest' wins for any number of reasons, importance included.
From where I'm sitting, the Steelers win last Saturday night meets any and all criteria for inclusion -- from its entertainment factor, to the importance and magnitude of the game, and even the wacky swings in momentum that delineated the game.
Thoughts?