1992 Pittsburgh Steelers Season
Season Summary: Bill Cowher was different from the start. Down 14-0 in his opening game in the Astrodome, Cowher dared a 4th-and-15 fake punt near midfield. The gamble paid off, setting up a TD and sparking a wild comeback, sealed by Rod Woodson's late end-zone interception. It wasn't just a victory... it was proof of a new identity.
From there, the Steelers found consistency they hadn't had in years. Barry Foster fueled the offense with a team record 1,690 rushing yards. Neil O'Donnell wasn't flashy, but he avoided mistakes and provided balance.
The defense, anchored by Woodson and Greg Lloyd, was opportunistic and stingy: #1 in turnovers and #2 in points. Woodson delivered all season: An 80-yard punt return for a TD vs KC. A crushing sack of Warren Moon in a tight win over Houston. He sacked opposing QB's 6 times, 2nd on the team and a remarkable tally for a CB. Fear of Woodson created opportunities for his teammates in the secondary.
Cowher's Steelers rode their defense and power running game to an 11-5 finish, winning the AFC Central and hosting a playoff game for the first time in a decade. The young Steelers fell to the battle-tested Bills in the Divisional Round, but 1992 reset the standard and launched a new era of Steelers football.