2012 Pittsburgh Steelers season

The  Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 80th season as a member of the National Football League (NFL). It was the 13th season under the leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the 6th under head coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers failed to improve on their 12–4 record from 2011 and did not reach the postseason for the first time since 2009. The Steelers finished the season with a record of 8–8, their first non-winning season since 2006. The 2012 Steelers set a new record for the most games decided on the last play, with 6.

2012 draft class

 * undefined Note: Pick from Raiders through the Washington Redskins (The Steelers traded selections 119 and 193 to the Redskins for selection 109).
 * undefined Note: All three of these selections are compensatory selections.

Preseason
The Steelers' preseason schedule was announced on April 4.

Regular season
The Steelers' regular season schedule was announced on April 17.


 * LEGEND
 * Bold indicates division games.
 * undefined Simulcast locally on WPCW.
 * undefined Simulcast locally on WTAE-TV.

The Steelers returned home to take on the Redskins. Scoring began early in the game as the Steelers would score on Roethlisberger's 1-yard pass to Leonard Pope to take a 7-0 lead. Shaun Suisham then kicked a 48-yard field goal to make it 10-0. In the 2nd quarter, the Redskins got on the board as RG3 found Santana Moss for a 2-Yard TD Pass (with a blocked PAT) and the score was left at 10-6. The Steelers didn't hesitate however as they pushed ahead by double-digits as Ben Roethlisberger connected with Heath Miller for a 7-yard pass to make the score 17-6. Suisham increased their lead with a 27-yard field goal as the team lead 20-6 at halftime. Coming into the 3rd quarter, the Redskins scored first with a 48-yard field goal from Kai Forbath to make the score 20-9. However, the Steelers responded with Roethlisberger connecting with Will Johnson for a 1-Yard TD pass to make the score 27-9. In the fourth quarter, the Redskins tried to rally a comeback as Forbath kicked a 45-yard field goal to make the score 27-12. They would then be kept from scoring anymore points for the remainder of the game by the Steelers' defense.

With the win, the Steelers improved to over .500 and outright second place in the AFC North at 4-3 and also 3-0 during home games.

Week 9: at New York Giants
Due to Hurricane Sandy's aftermath, the Steelers flew to New Jersey on game day because the team was unable to find a hotel in New York. After a scoreless first quarter punt fest, the Steelers drew first blood with Ben Roethlisberger's 4-yard TD pass to Emmanuel Sanders for a 7-0 lead. The Giants however responded to tie the game with RB Andre Brown's 1-Yard Run to make it 7-7. After recovering a fumble, the Giants would take the lead as Michael Boley returned it 70 yards for a TD to move ahead 14-7. The Steelers would shorten the lead to 4 with Shaun Suisham's 30-yard field goal to make the score 14-10 at halftime. After the break, the Giants would increase their lead from 7 to 10 points with 2 Lawrence Tynes field goals from 50 and 23 yards out making the score at first 17-10 then 20-10. However, the Steelers responded in the 4th quarter with Roethlisberger finding Mike Wallace for a 51-yard catch and run pass to shorten the Giants' lead to 3 making it 20-17. After pressuring Eli and the Giants' offense, the Steelers then drove down the field and took the lead with Redman's 2-Yard Run to make it 24-20. Getting the ball back after the Giants' last 3 and out, Roethlisberger took a knee to end the game as the team improved to 5-3, snapping the Giants' 4-game winning streak. Also, the Steelers would improve to 2-3 in road games and 3-0 against the NFC East.

Week 10: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
After a tough road win over the Giants, the Steelers returned home for a game against the Chiefs. With the win, the Steelers improved to 6-3 and also 4-0 in home games and 1-2 against the AFC West. However, Roethlisberger (9/18, 84 yards, 1TD) would be knocked out of the game in the 3rd quarter with a shoulder injury and is reported to be out for next week's home game against the AFC North-leading Ravens.

Week 11: vs. Baltimore Ravens
With their 3rd straight loss to the Ravens, the Steelers dropped to 6-4 and 2 games behind them in the AFC North. They are also now 1-1 in division games and 4-1 at home.

Week 12: at Cleveland Browns
By losing their first game to the Cleveland Browns in three years, the Steelers fall to 6-5 on the season, 1-2 against division rivals, 2-4 on the road, and 11-3 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. This is only the third time Pittsburgh has lost a game in Ohio ever since their quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, an Ohio native who was sitting out of the game due to injury, was drafted by them in 2004. Also, Mike Tomlin's record against the Browns all-time would drop to 9-2. The Browns would eventually become the only division rival whom the Steelers would lose to on the road during the season, after winning in Cincinnati on Sunday Night Football and before winning in Baltimore the next week; the 2000 season was the last time these three events occurred together.

Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens
Coming off an 8 turnover performance against the Browns, the Steelers looked to avoid a three game losing streak. Pittsburgh 3rd-string quarterback, Charlie Batch led the Steelers a 3-0 lead for the first quarter and then after 13 unanswered points by the Ravens, the Steelers outscored the Ravens 20-7 through the rest of the game, giving them a 23-20 victory over the Ravens. This was the Steelers' first win against the Ravens since the 2010-2011 season.

Week 14: vs. San Diego Chargers
With the loss the Steelers dropped to 7-6 overall, 4-2 in home games, 1-3 against the AFC West, and 14-1 all-time at home against the San Diego Chargers despite Big Ben returning to the field from injury. They became the only AFC North team to lose to the Chargers, win less than three games against all four AFC West teams, and not win any of those matchups in regulation.

With losses by the Ravens and Bengals on the same day, the AFC North title remains in sight for Pittsburgh, who will travel to Dallas next week to take on the Cowboys, a team they have faced three times out of their eight appearances in the Super Bowl. Both teams share the NFL-record number of Super Bowl appearances for a franchise, tied at eight, and remain the only two teams to face each other more than twice in Super Bowl matchups.

Week 15: at Dallas Cowboys
Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception during their second play of overtime, handing the win to Dallas. With the overtime loss, the Steelers enabled the arch-rival Ravens (9-5) to secure their fifth consecutive playoff berth by dropping to 7-7 on the season, thus moving them down to third place in the AFC North with their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Pittsburgh also finished their regular season at 3-5 in road games after dropping to 0-2 at Cowboys Stadium (the other loss there was to the Packers in Super Bowl XLV).

The Steelers hope to rebound at home against the second-place Bengals (8-6) next week in what is a must-win game for both AFC North rivals, as only one of them will be able to join Baltimore in the playoffs, unless the Indianapolis Colts lose their final two games or the Miami Dolphins lose at least one of their final two games. It will be the fourth straight week in which the Steelers will be featured on NFL on CBS's marquee game.

Week 16: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, for the second week in a row, would throw a costly interception with a chance to win the game. With the loss, the Steelers not only fell to 7-8, but have also been eliminated from the playoff race for the first time since 2009 and faced their first non-winning season since 2006. It is also worth noting that the Steelers have missed the playoffs whenever they lost at least one game to Cincinnati during a given season from 2006 to 2012.

Pittsburgh hopes to avoid getting swept by the Browns for the first time since 1988 during their home finale in Week 17, and facing their first losing season since 2003, which was also the last time the Browns have won a game in Pittsburgh. By virtue of the Browns' loss later that afternoon in Denver, the Steelers are assured of third place in the AFC North for the season.

Week 17: vs. Cleveland Browns
After losing to the Bengals, the Steelers stayed home for a regular season finale against the 5-10 Browns. After a scoreless first quarter, the Steelers would draw first blood moving ahead 3-0 off of a Shaun Suisham 41-yard field goal. However, the Browns managed to tie it up with Phil Dawson's 51-yard field goal at 3-3. The Steelers pulled away not long before halftime with Roethlisberger's 1-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Pope to take a 10-3 lead at halftime. After the break, Browns 3rd string QB Thaddeus Lewis to WR Greg Little to tie the game 10-10. However, the Steelers responded with Roethlisberger's 9-yard touchdown pass to WR Antonio Brown to move ahead 17-10. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers would increase their lead with Roethlisberger's 12-yard touchdown pass to WR Plaxico Burress to make it 24-10. The defense shut down the Browns' offense and therefore the team saved their season and finished 8-8.

During the game, the Steelers' defense forced 4 turnovers (1 interception, 3 lost fumbles) in retaliation for their 8 turnovers during their 20-14 loss at Cleveland when the Browns' defense got 3 interceptions and 5 lost fumbles. This brings the Steelers' yearly total of turnovers against the Browns to 5 in both games (2 interceptions, 3 lost fumbles). Heinz Field's turnout of 51,831 fans was the smallest for a Steelers game since their current stadium's opening in 2001.

Transactions

 * On February 7, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers named Todd Haley as offensive coordinator.


 * On February 8, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agents (WR) Juamorris Stewart and (LB) Brandon Hicks.


 * On February 29, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers released (WR) Hines Ward.


 * On March 2, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers released (DE) Aaron Smith and (LB) James Farrior.


 * On March 3, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers released (G) Chris Kemoeatu.


 * On March 12, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers tendered offers to (WR) Mike Wallace, (CB) Keenan Lewis, (S) Ryan Mundy, (TE) David Johnson, (G) Doug Legursky and (G) Ramon Foster.


 * On March 21, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agents (TE) Wes Lyons and (FB) Will Johnson.


 * On April 10, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed unrestricted free agent (TE) Leonard Pope to a 1-year contract.


 * On April 12, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed unrestricted free agent (T) Trai Essex to a 1-year contract.


 * On April 16, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed unrestricted free agent (QB) Charlie Batch to a 1-year contract.


 * On April 26, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed unrestricted free agent (QB) Byron Leftwich to a 1-year contract.


 * On May 2, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers released (CB) Antonio Smith and (RB) Chad Spann.


 * On May 6, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed fourth round pick (NT) Alameda Ta'amu and fifth round pick (RB) Chris Rainey to 4-year contracts.


 * On May 8, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed seventh round pick (WR) Toney Clemons to a 4-year contract.


 * On May 9, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed second round draft pick (OT) Mike Adams and seventh round draft picks (TE) David Paulson and (CB) Terrence Frederick to 4-year contracts.


 * On May 10, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed seventh round draft pick (G) Kelvin Beachum to a 4-year contract.


 * On May 29, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed third round draft pick (LB) Sean Spence to a 4-year contract.


 * On May 30, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent (QB) Kordell Stewart to a 1-day contract and announced his retirement.


 * On June 13, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed unrestricted free agents (LB) Brandon Johnson and (LS) Matt Katula.


 * On July 17, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed free agent (OT) Max Starks to a 1-year contract.


 * On July 19, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers released (OT) Jonathan Scott.


 * On July 23, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed undrafted free agent (OT) Bridger Buche to a 1-year contract.


 * On July 24, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed Mike Tomlin to a 3-year contract extension (5-year contract) through the 2016 season.


 * On July 24, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed first round pick (OG) David DeCastro to a 4-year contract.


 * On July 27, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed (WR) Antonio Brown to a 5-year contract extension through 2017.


 * On July 31, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed undrafted free agent (WR) Paul Cox to a 1-year contract and released (OT) Bridger Buche.


 * On August 3, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent (CB) Josh Victorian to a 1-year contract and placed (CB) Terry Carter on the Waived/Injured List.


 * On August 23, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers fired special teams coordinator Al Everest.


 * On August 27, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers released (LB) Ryan Baker, (DT) Mike Blanc, (WR) Paul Cox, (CB) Andre Freeman, (K) Daniel Hrapmann, (LB) Mortty Ivy (Waived/Injured List), (T) Kyle Jolly, (LS) Matt Katula, (TE) Jamie McCoy, (CB) Walter McFadden, (TE) Justin Peelle, (S) Myron Rolle, (WR) Juamorris Stewart, (DT) Kade Weston and (WR) Jimmy Young.


 * On August 27, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers claimed (RB) DuJuan Harris off of waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars.


 * On August 28, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed restricted free agent (WR) Mike Wallace to a 1-year contract and released (RB) Jason Ford.


 * On August 31, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers released (WR) Tyler Beiler, (DE) Corbin Bryant, (WR) Toney Clemons, (G) Trai Essex, (CB) Terrence Frederick, (WR) David Gilreath, (RB) DuJuan Harris, (LB) Brandon Hicks, (DL) Ikponmwosa Igbinosun, (QB) Jerrod Johnson, (P) Jeremy Kapinos (Waived/Injured List), (OL) Ryan Lee, (OL) John Malecki, (WR) Marquis Maze, (LB) Marshall McFadden, (OT) Chris Scott, (S) Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith, (DL) Jake Stoller, (CB) Josh Victorian and (WR) Derrick Williams.


 * On September 1, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms with (WR) Toney Clemons, (WR) David Gilreath, (OL) Ryan Lee, (OL) John Malecki, (TE) Jamie McCoy, (LB) Marshall McFadden, (S) Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith and (CB) Josh Victorian for practice squad.


 * On September 7, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent (CB) DeMarcus Van Dyke to a 1-year contract.


 * On October 16, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed (DE) Corbin Bryant to the active roster, signed (G) Jacques McClendon to the practice squad and released (TE) Jamie McCoy.


 * On October 16, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers suspended (NT) Alameda Ta'amu for two games.


 * On October 20, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted (OL) John Malecki to the active roster and released (DE) Corbin Bryant.


 * On October 27, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted (S) Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith to the active roster and released (OL) John Malecki.


 * On October 29, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers reinstated (NT) Alameda Ta'amu.


 * On October 31, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers released (S) Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith.


 * On November 12, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted (WR) David Gilreath to the active roster and released (NT) Alameda Ta'amu.


 * On November 15, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted (LB) Marshall McFadden to the active roster and signed (TE) Jamie McCoy to the practice squad.


 * On November 20, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers signed unrestricted free agent (WR) Plaxico Burress and free agent (QB) Brian Hoyer to 1-year contacts and also released (RB) Baron Batch and (LB) Marshall McFadden.


 * On November 26, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted (OL) John Malecki to the active roster and released (WR) David Gilreath.


 * On December 8, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted (CB) Josh Victorian to the active roster and released (QB) Brian Hoyer.


 * On December 11, 2012 the Pittsburgh Steelers suspended (RB) Rashard Mendenhall for one game for conduct detrimental to the team and promoted (RB) Baron Batch to the active roster.