Why Doesn't Heinz Field Seem To Be As Big A Postseason Advantage For The Steelers As Three Rivers Stadium Was?

by Anthony Defeo on Apr 17, 2011 2:51 PM EDT

Since we're well-over two-months beyond the disappointing Super Bowl XLV loss to the Packers, I finally allowed myself to go back and relive those exciting postseason games at Heinz Field that enabled the Steelers to advance to their 8th Super Bowl.

The other night, I popped in the tape of that thrilling victory over the Ravens in the divisional round in-which the Steelers overcame a 21-7 halftime deficit to win, 31-24, in arguably the most memorable and exciting playoff game in the ten-year history of Heinz Field. Watching it the second time was almost as sweet as experiencing it in real time back in January.

It was an epic comeback over their bitter rivals and a game that Steelers fans will be talking about for decades. But afterwards I started to realize something: Facing a large deficit at Heinz field in a playoff game is nothing new for the Steelers. In-fact, it's pretty common.

In the 2001 AFC Championship game, the Steelers trailed the Patriots 21-3 in the second half and went on to lose, 24-17. In their very next playoff game at Heinz Field-- the 2002 Wildcard game against the Cleveland Browns--the Steelers were down 24-7 in the second half before rallying to win, 36-33. Two seasons later, in a re-match against New England in the 2004 AFC Title Game, Pittsburgh trailed 24-3 on the way to a 41-27 beat-down. In 2007, the Steelers hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wildcard round and fell behind 28-10 in the 3rd quarter, made a furious comeback in the 4th quarter, but fell short in the end, 31-29. When you add the recent Baltimore game to the mix, that's 5 times the Steelers have trailed by two-touchdowns or more in 10 postseason games at Heinz Field since the franchise moved to their new digs in 2001.

In contrast, the Steelers hosted 18 playoff games at Three Rivers Stadium from 1972-1997 and only trailed by two touchdowns or more once--a 24-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills in a 1992 divisional playoff game.

That's a lot of games over a long period of time. You'd think somewhere along the line, even one of those 70's teams would have come out and laid an egg in-front of the home-fans.

I know the 70's Steelers are considered the greatest dynasty in NFL history with a roster made-up of 9 future Hall-of-Famers drafted by a Head Coach that is also in Canton, but what about the Steeler playoff teams from the 90's? Yeah, sure, those squads were loaded with talent and led by a Head Coach that is also headed to Canton someday, but they sure as heck didn't have 9 Hall-of-Famers on their roster and they never won a Super Bowl. Yet, other than that one game in '92, they never found themselves trailing by two or three touchdowns in a playoff contest at Three Rivers.

The Heinz Field portion of Steelers history obviously hasn't been too shabby and is at the very least, the second greatest era in franchise history. The Steelers have been to 3 Super Bowls and won 2 World Championships. Nine future Hall of Famers may not have run out onto Heinz Field, but more than a few future candidates have played for Pittsburgh over the last ten seasons.

Also, that future Hall of Fame Head Coach that was the leader of those 90's teams, one Bill Cowher, was also the head man in half of the playoff games hosted at Heinz Field. Cowher's successor, Mike Tomlin, has coached the other half and is building a fairly decent legacy in his own right.

So why so many bad starts at Heinz Field in the postseason? The obvious answer would be horrible play--key turnovers, poor special teams play, bad-defense--but I thought being at home in the playoffs was supposed to provide a psychological edge for the home team. It's the visitors who normally come unglued.

I don't even have any real theories to put forth, just the simple facts that I've provided. I'm asking Steeler Nation for the answers. I'm sure there are a ton of Steeler fans out there who have been to both Three Rivers Stadium and Heinz Field for playoff games and could weigh-in on this subject. The fact that Pittsburgh has been so hugely successful as an organization over the past 10 years only adds to my intrigue.

Any theories you'd like to share would be greatly appreciated by yours truly.

Tweet Comment 29 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Different style of play

The steelers of the present style of play is different, they start slow and turn over the ball. But out of the second half, they’re explosive and efficient. Also the steelers of the 70’s were completely dominant. The steelers of the 80’s and 90’s didn’t make the playoffs much. Not much to lose when you’re not there

by Lamarr56 on Apr 17, 2011 3:39 PM EDT reply actions

Well, the Steelers of the 90's were in the playoffs for six straight seasons and hosted 8 games at Three Rivers.

Only one less than the Steelers of the 70’s. Pretty good sample size.

by Anthony Defeo on Apr 17, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Anyone that has ever stood on the turf @ 3 Rivers

can tell you why. I once got to go on that field the day after the 1991 season ended. I was a HS Junior at the time and I recall looking up and thinking that now I know why the Steelers are so tough here. It seemed like the damn upper deck was looming over your head, making you feel like you were at the bottom of a deep pit and a bit claustrophobic, too. Mind you, the stadium was empty. Now pack it full, make the overcast sky a steel gray and cold, and put the Steel Curtain on that frozen turf that felt like a chap rug laid on the surface of a parking lot.

I can’t even imagine how hard it was to communicate as a player during all of that. Plus, like you said, the Steeler teams that were there were kinda good and might have had something to do with it.

by HandsofSweed on Apr 17, 2011 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

How about a "cheap" rug?

by HandsofSweed on Apr 17, 2011 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think it has to do with the stadium, but with the players.

Also, three rivers with the steelers of the 70’s were tough to beat, and the current crop of contenders seems to think that reputation sticks, years later, and they don’t have to work as hard – only to be slapped silly and have to wake up. It takes them until the second half to realize the crowd ’ain’t gonna win it for ya.’

by IronJake on Apr 17, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Fair enough. But,

you do realize that the same 1970’s Steelers were under .500 in playoff road games, right? The 1990’s Steelers never won a road playoff game. I’m telling you, Three Rivers did have an impact. Not as much as the men on the field and sidelines/upstairs in the box, but an impact nonetheless.

by HandsofSweed on Apr 17, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

It could be the noise factor. I'm sure it was much easier for noise to make a difference in the enclosed stadiums of the 70's,80's, and 90's.

by Anthony Defeo on Apr 17, 2011 5:47 PM EDT reply actions

the noise factor

I’ve attended every home play-off game in Steeler history. While the current fans are not any less enthusiastic than the ones from the 70’s, I would summit that there are two reasons that the noise level was greater at 3 Rivers. First is the design of the 2 stadiums. 3Rivers was an enclosed bowl with steep sides. Even the fans in the nosebleed seats were almost on top of the field. The noise came down onto teh field and stayed within the stadium. Heinz Field is open on one end, partially open on the other. In addition, the seats slant away from the field so that the higher levels are farther from the center of the field, thus the noise dissipates.
Finally, in 3 Rivers, there wasn’t a scorevoard that was designed to entertain. The replay screen didn’t come about until 1982. Cartoons amused us prior to that. The fans got involved with “Let’s Go Franco” and “DeeeFense” cheers because there wasn’t anything else to do or rely on.

by Morningside Rick on Apr 17, 2011 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

great observation

by t1mmy10 on Apr 17, 2011 9:06 PM EDT reply actions

What about

The fact is that these days we’re as feared for the rabid steelers nation following the team everywhere. I mean, if fans are always cheering for you, the difference between home and away become merely thephysical, and Heinz field isn’t the greatest.

by c63tho on Apr 17, 2011 11:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Two-TD deficit....

Set that threshold aside.

Some of the most angst-laden losses in Steelers history were playoff losses at TRS, tops among them being the ‘94 AFCCG against San Diego. Throw in the ’97 AFCCG vs. Denver, ’82 loss to SD, and the ’72 AFCCG vs. Miami as well, and you’ll see there’s no shortage of TRS heartache.

by swissvale72 on Apr 18, 2011 7:28 AM EDT reply actions

The three games you mentioned were 60% of the playoff losses in TRS history.

Pittsburgh was 13-5 all-time at Three Rivers in the postseason. They are 7-3 so far in Heinz field and if it wasn’t for a couple of historic comebacks, they’d be a mere .500 team at home in the playoffs. Like I said, given all that this team has achieved in the last ten years, their struggles at home in the postseason are pretty remarkable.

by Anthony Defeo on Apr 18, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Small dif...

So they’re batting .700 at Heinz and finished with a .722 mark at TRS…..harldy worth quibbling.

by swissvale72 on Apr 18, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

that's not his point

When you add the recent Baltimore game to the mix, that’s 5 times the Steelers have trailed by two-touchdowns or more in 10 postseason games at Heinz Field since the franchise moved to their new digs in 2001. In contrast, the Steelers hosted 18 playoff games at Three Rivers Stadium from 1972-1997 and only trailed by two touchdowns or more once—a 24-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills in a 1992 divisional playoff game.

i’d say 5.6% compared to 50% is something to quibble about

by t1mmy10 on Apr 18, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

meant to have this in my above comment

you can’t set that 2 td threshold aside because it’s basically the entire point of the article

by t1mmy10 on Apr 18, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

2-TD margin

Point is……what’s the dif how much they trailed by…..fact is, playoff winning % in both stadiums is almost identical

by swissvale72 on Apr 18, 2011 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

you might not see a diff in that but

i think there is a difference between a big come from behind win and a win where we were never down by more than a score.

a 2 TD margin is huge. the steelers record is better than 102-2-1 when leading by just 11 or more in the past 19 years. (that’s only cowher’s record and tomlin’s one loss. i didn’t add in tomlin’s wins). seems like a pretty big deal to me.

i think he raises a very valid point.

by t1mmy10 on Apr 18, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

...fail to see it

Argument seems to be that TRS provided a better home field advantage in playoffs than does Heinz….but comparitive winning percentage is almost identical. Frankly, any other measure is irrelevant

by swissvale72 on Apr 18, 2011 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Um I see it

So you’re telling me that if two teams win the same percentage of games they are equal?

By that logic every team with the same record is equal.

There are multiple factors and its interesting to see that the Steelers often held a better lead and better consistency in TRS compared to Heinz.

Although some of these games in Heinz have been wicked awesome it is odd that we find ourselves down a lot.

I remember the 08 Divisional game, and us being down for most of the first half. I remember cause I was there. And Then we turned it on and kicked their asses but man it was a sick feeling being down that long.

by Mechem on Apr 19, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Multiple factors....

That’s for sure….most compelling likely being that Steelers of the ’70s were the all-time kick-ass team, and were 8-1 in their own building, after which Steelers were 5-4 in TRS playoff games.

This biz of how the game’s developed somehow being attributable to one’s home-field advantage, or lack thereof, is a non-issue. TRS seemed to be more advantageous when better teams played there. It certainly wasn’t an advantage during the two full decades Steelers were futilely chasing the “One for the Thumb”

by swissvale72 on Apr 19, 2011 3:38 AM EDT up reply actions

This Steelers team hasn't been too bad if you notice.

It just doesn’t seem like Heinz Field provides the same kind of intimidating atmosphere that TRS did.

And really, in the 10 games, the Steelers haven’t really ever come out and put one on a team. Beat them down and knocked them out. The only game that really came close was the first one back in ‘01 against Baltimore and even that game was sort of in doubt until the 4th quarter. It’s just a weird phenomenon in my opinion. You don’t see too many teams as good as Pittsburgh has been struggle in home playoff games.

by Anthony Defeo on Apr 19, 2011 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh....I've noticed....but

This Steeler team, nor any other, is hardly equivalent to the Steelers of the ‘70s. The ’05 edition came from the 6th seed to win the Bowl, and even their Head Coach allowed as to how they weren’t the NFL’s “best” team, but rather playing the best at the time. The ‘08 squad won with arguably the worst offensive line ever to win a Super Bowl. Cowher’s teams struggled in TRS just as much as they struggled in Heinz Field. Whereas Cowher was 7-5 in home playoff games (5-3 at TRS, 2-2 at Heinz), Tomlin doesn’t seem to be as challenged, sporting a 4-1 home playoff mark, but it yet to take to the road for a playoff game. Noll was 8-2 in home playoff games. Seems to me that the problem is more specific to Bill Cowher than to the respective house in which the team is playing

by swissvale72 on Apr 19, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

i just don’t understand how you can say there is no difference between blowing out your opponent & having to make a miraculous come back to win.

if you can’t see how it took 2 come from behind wins from a 2 TD deficit @home to keep a similar home record playoff with heinz field and 3 rivers then you don’t understand the premise of the post. that’s the same number of losses the steelers have had after leading by only 11 or more points in twice that period of time, home or away/playoffs or regular season. that’s easily over 11x’s the sample size. and we’re not even getting into how we’ve had more blowout playoff losses at heinz than at 3 rivers, but we’ve played only half as many games at heinz .

by t1mmy10 on Apr 19, 2011 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Here's how, Tim....

To the question posed in your initial sentence, the answer is that I’ve yet to see a team be awarded a Super Bowl berth based on blowing out their opponent in the Divisional Round.

Also, the Steelers impressive record with an 11-point lead doesnt necessarily extend to other teams. Just look at how often Bill Belichick’s teams have ceded leads of 11 points or more.

Moreover, the ’94 Steeler squad ceded a 10-point 3rd quarter lead, at home, in the AFCCG.

I think I understand the premise of the post. I just happen to think it’s immaterial.

by swissvale72 on Apr 19, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

unfortunately

i’ve only been to heinz twice, and never for a playoff game, so alas.

by jd5757 on Apr 18, 2011 7:57 AM EDT reply actions

At one point in the third quarter when the Ravens were melting down, the press box at Heinz Field was literally bouncing. It was a little like being in a tiny earthquake, except with a bad pop music soundtrack. Some 68,000 people were whipping those yellow towels around, snarling like bloodthirsty Romans at the Colosseum.

The Baltimore Sun

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." Wes Westrum
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 18, 2011 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

I think as far as the noise factor is concerned with the beautiful open style stadium that we have today ts a tad easier to look around a bit and take a moment to check out the city or skyline and drift away from the game. to REAL life (which is bad)

With the old style 3 Rivers there was no “REAL” life or anything existing besides exactly what was happening on the field. so instead of getting upset and thinking back to the REAL world. you would just get more fired up and scream more cuz that the only thing that existed.

I know that sounds stupid but its my thoughts on it.

by Steelchamps !! on Apr 18, 2011 9:52 PM EDT reply actions