Steelers Hope Home Cooking Helps Improve on Past Thanksgiving Struggles
The undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers may be one of the NFL’s most historic, successful franchises, but that has not been the case on Thanksgiving.
Pittsburgh has played eight games all-time on Turkey Day, but owns a lackluster 2-6 record.
The Steelers did take their last Thanksgiving game in 2016, a 28-7 beat-down of the Indianapolis Colts. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a tremendous game, passing for 221 yards and three touchdowns to wide receiver Antonio Brown. The third Killer B, running back Le’Veon Bell added 120 yards on the ground and a score of his own.
Prior to that win, Pittsburgh had lost five straight, including a narrow 22-20 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. A five-for-five performance from kicker Justin Tuckers proved the difference in that one for Baltimore.
In addition, Thursday’s division battle with the Ravens will mark the Steelers’ first ever Thanksgiving game at home. All had previously been played on the road, adding to the difficulty of the shortened week of preparation.
The Steelers are hoping that some home cooking Thursday will improve their Thanksgiving fortunes, pushing them to 11-0 and a division title.
“It is an honor for us to entertain our fans and fans in general on Thursday Night Football and on Thanksgiving,” head coach Mike Tomlin said Monday. “That’s not something that we take for granted. As a young guy who loved football, man I grew up watching football on the holidays, and it’s an honor and it’s humbling to provide that for others and to be associated with that and the memories it creates.”
Steelers all-time on Thanksgiving:
Nov. 24, 2016 at Indianapolis Colts, 28-7 W
Nov. 28, 2013 at Baltimore Ravens, 20-22 L
Nov. 26, 1998 at Detroit Lions, 16-19 L
Nov. 28, 1991 at Dallas Cowboys, 10-20 L
Nov. 24, 1983 at Detroit Lions, 3-45 L
Nov. 23, 1950 at Chicago Cardinals, 28-17 W
Nov. 28, 1940 at Philadelphia Eagles, 0-7 L
Nov. 23, 1939 at Philadelphia Eagles, 14-17 L
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