1998 Pittsburgh Steelers season

Pittsburgh Steelers 66th US football season August 2023 March 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers 1998 7–9 3rd AFC Central Bill Cowher Tom Donahoe The Rooney Family Three Rivers Stadium Did not qualify C Dermontti Dawson Dermontti Dawson (1st team) Levon Kirkland Alan Faneca Steelers seasons The 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 66th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). This season marked the first time since the 1991 season that the Steelers failed to make the playoffs. Pittsburgh finished 7–9 after starting the season 5–2, losing their last five games to lose a spot in the playoffs. It was Bill Cowher's first losing record as head coach of the Steelers. The season was marked by a controversial ending to the team's Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions, where Jerome Bettis claimed he called the coin toss in overtime as "tails" although referee Phil Luckett heard "heads." The Lions won 19–16 and started the Steelers' losing streak to finish the season. The inconsistent play of Kordell Stewart was cited as another conflict, as the fans slowly began to turn on him. After their 11–5 1997 season, Pittsburgh lost two key offensive components: Chan Gailey, the offensive coordinator who went on to become head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, and their leading receiver, Yancey Thigpen, a Pro Bowler for Pittsburgh in 1997, who joined the Tennessee Oilers. Offseason Additions SubtractionsG Roger Duffy (Jets) WR Yancey Thigpen (Oilers)S Bo Orlando (Bengals) T John Jackson (Chargers) NFL draft 1998 NFL draft 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers 1 26 Alan Faneca Guard LSU yes yes yes 2 41 Jeremy Staat Defensive end Arizona State yes no 3 66 Chris Conrad Tackle Fresno State yes no 3 92 Hines Ward Wide receiver Georgia yes yes 4 117 Deshea Townsend Cornerback Alabama yes no 4 123 Carlos King Running back NC State yes no 5 137 Jason Simmons Safety Arizona State from Atlanta yes no 6 178 Chris Fuamatu-Maʻafala Fullback Utah yes no 6 186 Ryan Olson Defensive tackle Colorado no no 7 221 Angel Rubio Defensive tackle SE Missouri State no no yes Undrafted free agents + 1998 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeMatt CushingTight endIllinoisAaron DelatorreDefensive linemanStephen F. AustinMike EvansOffensive linemanMercyhurstPete GonzalezQuarterbackPittsburghMatt HarperDefensive endTCUJohn JenkinsSafetyPittsburgh Personnel Staff 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers #08214A white #EEC607 President – Daniel M. Rooney Vice president – John R. McGinley Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr. Vice president and general counsel – Arthur J. Rooney II Administration advisor – Chuck Noll Director of business – Mark Hart Business relations coordinator – Dan Ferens Business accounting coordinator – Jim Ellenberger Office/ticket coordinator – Geraldine Glenn Communications coordinator – Ron Wahl Public relations/media manager – David Lockett Marketing coordinator – Mark Fuhrman Merchandising manager – Tim Carey Assistant marketing manager – Lynne Molyneaux Marketing assistant – Jill Sklar Ticket manager – Brian Bonifate Football operations Director of football operations – Tom Donahoe Personnel staff Pro personnel coordinator – Charles Bailey College scouting coordinator – Max McCartney College scout – Mark Gorscak College scout – Phil Kreidler College scout – Bob Lane College scout – Dan Rooney College scout – Bill Scheider Head coach – Bill Cowher Offensive coordinator – Ray Sherman Running backs – Dick Hoak Wide receivers – David Culley Tight ends – Mike Mularkey Offensive line – Kent Stephenson Defensive coordinator – Jim Haslett Defensive line – John Mitchell Linebackers – Mike Archer Defensive backs – Tim Lewis Special teams – Ron Zook Administrative assistant – Lou Spanos Conditioning coordinator – Chet Fuhrman Medical staff Ophthalmologist – Dr. Randy Beatty Physician, orthopedic – Dr. James P. Bradley Neurological surgery consultant – Dr. Joseph Maroon Physician, M.D. – Dr. Richard Rydze Physician, consultant – Dr. Abraham J. Twerski Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates Training staff Head trainer – John Norwig Assistant trainer – Rick Burkholder Equipment manager – Rodgers Freyvogel Field manager – Rich Baker Field/equipment assistant – Paul Gallagher Video coordinator – Bob McCartney Player development coordinator – Anthony Griggs Photographers – Mike Fabus, Bill Amatucci 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide Notable additions include Hines Ward, Alan Faneca and Deshea Townsend. Roster 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers 53 4 5  7 Pete Gonzalez y 10 Kordell Stewart 18 Mike Tomczak 36 Jerome Bettis 45 Chris Fuamatu-Maʻafala y 33 Richard Huntley 35 Carlos King y FB 34 Tim Lester FB running back 25 Fred McAfee 38 Jon Witman FB 89 Will Blackwell 83 David Dunn American football 88 Courtney Hawkins American football 81 Charles Johnson wide receiver, born 1972 15 Bobby Shaw y 86 Hines Ward y 84 Harold Bishop American football 87 Mark Bruener 85 Mitch Lyons 78 Chris Conrad American football y T 63 Dermontti Dawson C 62 Roger Duffy American football G 65 Alan Faneca y G 68 Brenden Stai G 67 Jamain Stephens T 66 Jim Sweeney American football, born 1962 T 77 Will Wolford T 98 Oliver Gibson American football NT 76 Kevin Henry DE 74 Nolan Harrison DE 97 Rod Manuel DE 71 Orpheus Roye DE 94 Jeremy Staat y DE 93 Joel Steed NT 51 Carlos Emmons OLB American football 57 John Fiala ILB 92 Jason Gildon OLB 50 Earl Holmes ILB 54 Donta Jones ILB 99 Levon Kirkland ILB 56 Mike Vrabel OLB 29 Lance Brown CB/S 41 Lethon Flowers SS 37 Carnell Lake CB 24 Chris Oldham FS 21 Bo Orlando FS 39 Darren Perry FS 23 Jason Simmons y CB/S 26 Deshea Townsend y CB 20 Dewayne Washington CB  9 Norm Johnson K  4 Josh Miller punter P 60 Mark Rodenhauser LS 80 Jahine Arnold WR IR 82 Henry Bailey American football WR IR 30 Chad Scott CB IR 73 Justin Strzelczyk T IR 22 DeAuntae Brown CB 28 Terrance Joseph y CB 55 Ryan Olson American football y LB 64 Tony Orlandini y T 19 Shawn Scales y WR 1999 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1998_roster.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com 2014-12-24 1999 Pittsburgh Steelers https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1999_roster.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com 2014-12-24 Preseason Schedule Week Date Opponent Game site Kickoff (ET) TV Result Record 1 August 1 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fawcett Stadium (Canton, Ohio) 7:00 p.m. ABC L 30–6 0–1 2 August 8 Buffalo Bills Three Rivers Stadium 7:30 p.m. KDKA W 24–13 1–1 3 August 14 at Philadelphia Eagles Veterans Stadium 8:00 p.m. KDKA L 21–17 1–2 4 August 22 vs. Atlanta Falcons Mountaineer Field (Morgantown, West Virginia) 6:00 p.m. KDKA W 28–22 2–2 5 August 29 Carolina Panthers Three Rivers Stadium 8:00 p.m. ESPN W 38–24 3–2 Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue 1 September 6 at Baltimore Ravens W 20–13 1–0 Ravens Stadium 2 September 13 Chicago Bears W 17–12 2–0 Three Rivers Stadium 3 September 20 at Miami Dolphins L 0–21 2–1 Pro Player Stadium 4 September 27 Seattle Seahawks W 13–10 3–1 Three Rivers Stadium 5 Bye 6 October 11 at Cincinnati Bengals L 20–25 3–2 Cinergy Field 7 October 18 Baltimore Ravens W 16–6 4–2 Three Rivers Stadium 8 October 26, 1998 at Kansas City Chiefs W 20–13 5–2 Arrowhead Stadium 9 November 1 Tennessee Oilers L 31–41 5–3 Three Rivers Stadium 10 November 9, 1998 Green Bay Packers W 27–20 6–3 Three Rivers Stadium 11 November 15 at Tennessee Oilers L 14–23 6–4 Vanderbilt Stadium 12 November 22 Jacksonville Jaguars W 30–15 7–4 Three Rivers Stadium 13 November 26 at Detroit Lions L 16–19 (OT) 7–5 Pontiac Silverdome 14 December 6 New England Patriots L 9–23 7–6 Three Rivers Stadium 15 December 13 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 3–16 7–7 Raymond James Stadium 16 December 20 Cincinnati Bengals L 24–25 7–8 Three Rivers Stadium 17 December 28, 1998 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 3–21 7–9 Alltel Stadium Game summaries Week 1 (Sunday September 6, 1998): at Baltimore Ravens Steelers 3 0 10 7 Ravens 3 0 0 10 at Ravens Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland Game time: 1:00 pm EDT Game weather: Game attendance: 68,847 Referee: Walt Coleman TV announcers: (CBS) Verne Lundquist (play by play), Randy Cross (color commentator), Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter) Scoring drives: Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 27 Baltimore – FG Stover 41 Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 49 Pittsburgh – Stewart 1 run (N. Johnson kick) Pittsburgh – C. Johnson 20 pass from Stewart (N. Johnson kick) Baltimore – FG Stover 25 Baltimore – J. Lewis 64 pass from Zeier (Stover kick) Week 2 (Sunday September 13, 1998): vs. Chicago Bears Bears 0 9 0 3 Steelers 0 7 10 0 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EDT Game weather: 84 F (Sunny) Game attendance: 59,084 Referee: Gerald Austin TV announcers: (FOX) Kenny Albert (play by play), Tim Green (color commentator), Dan Jiggetts (sideline reporter) Scoring drives: Chicago – Engram 54 pass from Kramer (kick failed) Pittsburgh – Bettis 1 run (N. Johnson kick) Chicago – FG Jaeger 19 Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 49 Pittsburgh – Coleman 13 pass from Stewart (N. Johnson kick) Chicago – FG Jaeger 36 Week 3 (Sunday September 20, 1998): at Miami Dolphins Steelers 0 0 0 0 Dolphins 0 14 7 0 at Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida Game time: 1:00 pm EDT Game weather: Game attendance: 73,748 Referee: Bill Carollo TV announcers: (CBS) Verne Lundquist (play by play), Randy Cross (color commentator), and Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter) Scoring drives: Miami – Abdul-Jabbar 3 run (Mare kick) Miami – L. Thomas 8 pass from Marino (Mare kick) Miami – Z. Thomas 17 interception return (Mare kick) Week 4 (Sunday September 27, 1998): vs. Seattle Seahawks Seahawks 0 7 3 0 Steelers 3 7 3 0 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 4:05 pm EDT Game weather: 83 F (Partly sunny) Game attendance: 58,413 Referee: Johnny Grier TV announcers: (CBS) Kevin Harlan (play by play), Sam Wyche (color commentator) Scoring drives: Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 33 Seattle – Fauria 14 pass from Moon (Peterson kick) Pittsburgh – Fuamatu-Ma'afala 10 run (N. Johnson kick) Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 25 Seattle – FG Peterson 47 Week 5 (Sunday October 4, 1998): Bye Week Week 6 (Sunday October 11, 1998): at Cincinnati Bengals Steelers 0 10 7 3 Bengals 0 9 3 13 at Cinergy Field, Cincinnati Game time: 1:00 pm EDT Game weather: Game attendance: 59,979 Referee: Tom White TV announcers: (CBS) Don Criqui (play by play), Beasley Reece (color commentator) Scoring drives: Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 40 Pittsburgh – Bettis 13 run (N. Johnson kick) Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 44 Cincinnati – Scott 44 pass from O'Donnell (pass failed) Pittsburgh – Huntley 9 run (N. Johnson kick) Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 48 Cincinnati – Scott 30 pass from O'Donnell (pass failed) Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 40 Cincinnati – Pickens 25 pass from O'Donnell (Pelfrey kick) Week 7 (Sunday October 18, 1998): vs. Baltimore Ravens Ravens 3 3 0 0 Steelers 3 0 7 6 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EDT Game weather: 73 F (Partly sunny) Game attendance: 58,620 Referee: Ron Blum TV announcers: (CBS) Kevin Harlan (play by play), Sam Wyche (color commentator) Scoring drives: Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 41 Baltimore – FG Stover 41 Baltimore – FG Stover 40 Pittsburgh – C. Johnson 55 pass from Stewart (N. Johnson kick) Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 42 Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 40 Week 8 (Monday October 26, 1998): at Kansas City Chiefs Steelers 7 3 3 7 Chiefs 3 3 7 0 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri Game time: 8:20 pm EST Game weather: Game attendance: 79,431 Referee: Bernie Kukar TV announcers: (ABC) Al Michaels (play by play), Dan Dierdorf & Boomer Esiason (color commentators), Lesley Visser (sideline reporter) Scoring drives: Pittsburgh – McAfee recovered blocked punt in end zone (N. Johnson kick) Kansas City – FG Stoyanovich 20 Kansas City – FG Stoyanovich 28 Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 34 Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 22 Kansas City – Rison 2 pass from Grbac (Stoyanovich kick) Pittsburgh – C. Johnson 5 pass from Stewart (N. Johnson kick) Week 9 (Sunday November 1, 1998): vs. Tennessee Oilers Oilers 3 14 10 14 Steelers 0 7 0 24 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 55 F (Cloudy) Game attendance: 58,222 Referee: Mike Carey TV announcers: (CBS) Ian Eagle (play by play), Mark May (color commentator) Scoring drives: Tennessee – FG Del Greco 43 Tennessee – Wycheck 2 pass from McNair (Del Greco kick) Pittsburgh – C. Johnson 9 pass from Stewart (N. Johnson kick) Tennessee – Dyon 6 pass from McNair (Del Greco kick) Tennessee – FG Del Greco 32 Tennessee – George 37 run (Del Greco kick) Tennessee – Davis 29 pass from McNair (Del Greco kick) Pittsburgh – Hawkins 3 pass from Stewart (C. Johnson pass from Stewart) Tennessee – Marts 27 interception return (Del Greco kick) Pittsburgh – C. Johnson 37 pass from Tomczak (C. Johnson pass from Tomczak) Pittsburgh – C. Johnson 2 pass from Tomczak (Blackwell pass from Tomczak) Week 10 (Monday November 9, 1998): vs. Green Bay Packers Packers 0 0 3 17 Steelers 14 10 3 0 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 8:20 pm EST Game weather: 44 F (Mostly cloudy) Game attendance: 60,507 Referee: Ron Winter TV announcers: (ABC) Al Michaels (play by play), Dan Dierdorf & Boomer Esiason (color commentators), Lesley Visser (sideline reporter) Scoring drives: Pittsburgh – C. Johnson 8 pass from Stewart (N. Johnson kick) Pittsburgh – Stewart 1 run (N. Johnson kick) Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 45 Pittsburgh – Fuamatu-Ma'afala 5 run (N. Johnson kick) Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 21 Green Bay – FG Longwell 42 Green Bay – McKenzie 88 fumble return (pass failed) Green Bay – Harris 2 run (Freeman pass from Favre) Green Bay – FG Longwell 37 Week 11 (Sunday November 15, 1998): at Tennessee Oilers Steelers 0 14 0 0 Oilers 3 10 0 10 at Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: Game attendance: 41,104 Referee: Johnny Grier TV announcers: (CBS) Craig Bolerjack (play by play), John Dockery (color commentator) Scoring drives: Tennessee – FG Del Greco 46 Pittsburgh – Bruener 10 pass from Stewart (George kick) Tennessee – Davis 25 pass from McNair (Del Greco kick) Pittsburgh – Fuamatu-Ma'afala 26 pass from Stewart (George kick) Tennessee – FG Del Greco 24 Tennessee – FG Del Greco 22 Tennessee – Roan recovered fumble in end zone (Del Greco kick) Week 12 (Sunday November 22, 1998): vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Jaguars 0 0 7 8 Steelers 7 6 3 14 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 47 F (Mostly sunny) Game attendance: 59,124 Referee: Walt Coleman TV announcers: (CBS) Kevin Harlan (play by play), Sam Wyche (color commentator) Scoring drives: Pittsburgh – Washington 52 interception return (N. Johnson kick) Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 38 Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 29 Jacksonville – Taylor 2 run (Hollis kick) Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 41 Pittsburgh – Bruener 9 pass from Stewart (N. Johnson kick) Jacksonville – J. Smith 33 pass from Brunell (McCardell pass from Brunell) Pittsburgh – Washington 78 interception return (N. Johnson kick) Week 13 (Thursday November 26, 1998): at Detroit Lions Steelers 0 6 7 3 0 Lions 0 3 3 10 3 at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan Game time: 12:30 pm EST Game weather: Dome Game attendance: 78,139 Referee: Phil Luckett TV announcers: (CBS) Greg Gumbel (play by play), Phil Simms (color commentator), Armen Keteyian (Sideline Reporter) Scoring drives: Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 30 Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 38 Detroit – FG Hanson 45 Pittsburgh – Blackwell 24 pass from Stewart (N. Johnson kick) Detroit – FG Hanson 52 Detroit – Moore 21 pass from Batch (Hanson kick) Detroit – FG Hanson 35 Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 25 Detroit – FG Hanson 42 Week 14 (Sunday December 6, 1998): vs. New England Patriots Patriots 3 10 0 10 Steelers 6 3 0 0 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 68 F (Partly sunny) Game attendance: 58,632 Referee: Dick Hantak TV announcers: (CBS) Verne Lundquist (play by play), Randy Cross (color commentator), and Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter) Scoring drives: New England – FG Vinatieri 21 New England – FG Vinatieri 29 Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 49 New England – Glenn 86 pass from Bledsoe (Vinatieri kick) Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 26 Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 43 New England – FG Vinatieri 35 New England – Edwards 4 run (Vinatieri kick) Week 15 (Sunday December 13, 1998): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Steelers 3 0 0 0 Buccaneers 3 3 7 3 at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: Game attendance: 65,335 Referee: Tony Corrente TV announcers: (CBS) Verne Lundquist (play by play), Randy Cross (color commentator), and Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter) Scoring drives: Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 27 Tampa Bay – FG Husted 39 Tampa Bay – FG Husted 37 Tampa Bay – Alstott 3 run (Husted kick) Tampa Bay – FG Husted 21 Week 16 (Sunday December 20, 1998): vs. Cincinnati Bengals Bengals 3 13 6 3 Steelers 0 7 14 3 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 42 F (Cloudy) Game attendance: 52,017 Referee: Bernie Kukar TV announcers: (CBS) Ian Eagle (play by play), Mark May (color commentator) Scoring drives: Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 33 Cincinnati – Shade 55 fumble return (Pelfrey kick) Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 37 Pittsburgh – Lake 15 interception return (N. Johnson kick) Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 43 Pittsburgh – Oldham 54 fumble return (N. Johnson kick) Pittsburgh – Bettis 4 run (N. Johnson kick) Cincinnati – Scott 61 pass from Blake (bad snap) Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 22 Cincinnati – FG Pelfrey 21 Week 17 (Monday December 28, 1998): at Jacksonville Jaguars Steelers 0 3 0 0 Jaguars 0 14 7 0 at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida Game time: 8:20 pm EST Game weather: Game attendance: 74,143 Referee: Bill Carollo TV announcers: (ABC) Al Michaels (play by play), Dan Dierdorf & Boomer Esiason (color commentators), Lesley Visser (sideline reporter) Scoring drives Pittsburgh – FG N. Johnson 24 Jacksonville – Quinn 15 run (Hollis kick) Jacksonville – Taylor 9 pass from Quinn (Hollis kick) Jacksonville – Taylor 12 run (Hollis kick) Standings NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, 0-7611-2480-2 References External links 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Pro Football Reference 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com Category:Pittsburgh Steelers seasons Pittsburgh Steelers Pitts Category:1998 in Pittsburgh