1994 Pittsburgh Steelers Season

Season Summary: The 1994 Steelers were a powerhouse, finishing an AFC-best 12-4 with a bruising run game and the league's most feared defense. Barry Foster and rookie Bam Morris carried the load on the ground, while Neil O'Donnell managed the passing game and avoided mistakes.

"Blitzburgh" lived up to its name under D-coordinator Dom Capers, leading the NFL with 55 sacks. Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd, Levon Kirkland, and Chad Brown formed one of the all-time great linebacker corps, backed by Rod Woodson, Carnell Lake, and Darren Perry in the secondary. They could stuff the run, blanket receivers, and pressure quarterbacks from every angle.

Three wins over the hated Browns (coached by Bill Belichick) were a highlight, capped by a 29-9 dismantling in the Divisional round, one of the most satisfying playoff wins in franchise history. But the AFC Championship brought heartbreak. Despite outgaining San Diego by nearly 200 yards, Pittsburgh surrendered two long TD passes and fell 17-13 when O'Donnell's infamous "3 more yards" pass to Barry Foster on 4th-and-goal was knocked down in the final minute.

It was the best Steelers team in a quarter century, with the defense, running game, and swagger to win it all. The way it ended remains the most disappointing loss of my lifetime.