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The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 9-3 with their 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, securing their 21st straight season without a losing record, tying the 1965-85 Cowboys for the longest streak in NFL history.
This is one of the gold standards for consistency in sports. The streak is so long that if you were born when it started in 2004 you are now approaching legal drinking age.
Antwaan Randle El’s touchdown pass in the Super Bowl, James Harrison’s pick six, Santonio Holmes’ toe tap, Rashard Mendenhall’s fumble, Troy Polamalu jumping over the line, Big Ben’s tackle, Vontaze Burfict’s hit on Antonio Brown, Tomlin’s trip, and so many other unforgettable (even cringeworthy) moments involving the Steelers happened during the streak.
Here’s 21 facts on the record-tying 21-season streak.
1. The streak began in 2004 after Pittsburgh drafted Ben Roethlisberger 11th overall. Big Ben won his first 15 regular-season starts from 2004-05, the longest streak by a quarterback to begin a career, ever. Hall of Famer Bill Cowher was the Steelers coach in 2004 when they won a then-AFC record 15 regular-season games.
2. Cowher passed the baton to Mike Tomlin in 2007. Tomlin has 18 straight non-losing seasons, the longest streak to begin a coaching career in NFL history.
3. They have overcome plenty of challenges to keep the streak alive. They started 0-4 in 2013. They were 5-8 in both 2013 and 2022 before winning out. They have five seasons with exactly eight losses during the streak, tied with the Cardinals for the most in the NFL over that span. They won their final game to keep the streak going four times (2006, 2012, 2013, 2022).
4. All four wins to save the streak were against the Browns or Bengals, par for the course as the Steelers own the state of Ohio. They are 62-19-1 vs. the Browns and Bengals since 2004, including 49-12-1 in games started by Roethlisberger.
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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-defeat-bengals-21-facts-on-pittsburghs-record-tying-21-straight-seasons-without-a-losing-record/
Author : Douglas Clawson
Publish date : 2024-12-01 21:41:00
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