The Steelers have a long history of memorable moments throughout the years, and during the 2025 season we are going to highlight those moments against each week's opponent.
This week, we feature games against the Chicago Bears.
Steelers 37, Chicago Bears 34
November 5, 1995
Soldier Field
It was an epic game that included five lead changes and four ties, but it would be the Steelers who would hold on at the end to win in overtime in a game that would be crucial for the team's postseason hopes.
Quarterback Neil O'Donnell completed 34 of 52 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Erric Pegram was a force for the offense, rushing for two touchdowns and scoring another one on a seven-yard pass from O'Donnell.
The overtime win would be the Steelers first win ever in Chicago for the franchise and keep the Steelers in the hunt for the division after starting the season with a 3-4 record.
"This was a very big win," said O'Donnell. "We're on the road and no one gave us a chance to win. It's just a start of a lot of good things to happen."
While the defense allowed the Bears to put up 27 points, they also had more than their share of big plays, including three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, including a 52-yard interception return by linebacker Greg Lloyd.
With the score tied at 27-27 in the fourth quarter and the Steelers having their backs against the wall deep in their own territory, Bears linebacker Alonzo Spellman tipped O'Donnell's pass and linebacker Barry Minter intercepted it at the two-yard line, and returned it for the short touchdown and 34-27 lead.
The Steelers wouldn't be denied. O'Donnell engineered an 11-play, 65-yard drive that resulted in a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ernie Mills tying the game one last time, 34-34, and eventually sending the game into overtime.
The Bears won the overtime toss, but the defense forced a three-and-out. O'Donnell once again drove the offense, setting kicker Norm Johnson up for a 24-yard game-winning field goal.
"Neil was great," said Steelers receiver Yancey Thigpen. "He was poised back in the pocket. Our receivers ran great routes. They played a lot of zone coverage, and we just found the voids."
Steelers 21, Chicago Bears 9
December 11, 2005
Heinz Field (Now Acrisure Stadium)
The Steelers hit a point in the season where a loss could mark the end of their playoff hopes. Coming off three straight losses, every game was a 'must-win' situation.
And it all began on a snowy December day in Pittsburgh.
Running back Willie Parker got the start, but it was running back Jerome Bettis who would finish with 17 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
And it was that second touchdown that is still talked about today and was a testament to what Bettis meant to the team.
Were there other key plays in the game? Absolutely. But nothing compared to Bettis' touchdown, one that highlight films are made of.
"Enough can't be said about Jerome Bettis," said receiver Hines Ward. "He epitomizes what the Steelers are all about. People think he's down and out and he comes out and has a game like he had."
With snow falling and the conditions deteriorating, the Steelers called on Bettis and he answered.
"My role is to come in and spell Willie, but this game set up for me in terms of the conditions and the field," said Bettis after the game. "I've always been known as a mudder and the field really played into my favor in terms of being able to run the ball."
No, he wasn't a starter any longer, but he was a force to be reckoned with. Just ask Bears' linebacker Brian Urlacher. In the third quarter Bettis barreled through the Bears' defense and leveled Urlacher, who tried desperately to hold on to Bettis with no luck. Bettis won the battle as he scored on a five-yard touchdown run. Urlacher, one of the top linebackers in the game, didn't stand a chance.
"I knew it was him," said Bettis. "I was able to bang off of him and use his leverage against him. I knew it was going to be a big hit. I just tried to play off of it and keep those legs churning. He didn't let go, but I've made a living off of carrying people – that's why they call me 'The Bus.'"
The Steelers closed out the regular season with three more wins, then won three playoff games on the road, before defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.
Steelers 29, Chicago Bears 27
November 8, 2021
Heinz Field (Now Acrisure Stadium)
The Steelers extended their home winning streak on Monday Night Football to 19 games in a row with a 29-27 win over the Bears.
And it all came down to the closing seconds.
"That's just the nature of this thing," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "It's the National Football League. You're going to be in battles. The most important thing is that you smile in the face of adversity and deliver the necessary plays. That's the silver lining in tonight's performance. We were up against it; a lot of it due to our own doing. But you've got to tip your cap to the Bears. They competed, and they competed for 60 minutes. The cool thing is we made the necessary plays. Ben took the offense down the field, and we got the necessary field goal. We were able to close the game out and I'm thankful for that.
"But to summarize, you definitely can't give up. You can't turn the ball over and give up scores in the kicking game. You do that, there's a high probability you're going to lose, let alone be in a tight game. We've got to hang on to the ball. We can't give up scores in the kicking game. When you do, boy, you'd better knuckle up. And they did. I'm thankful for that."
The Steelers got out to a 14-0 lead on a 10-yard touchdown run by Najee Harris and a four-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Pat Freiermuth. After a pair of Bears field goals, Roethlisberger and Freiermuth connected again, this time from 10 yards out.
The Bears kept pecking away at the Steelers lead, and when receiver Ray-Ray McCloud fumbled on a punt return, the Bears were able to pick it up and take it in 25 yards for the touchdown.
Bears quarterback Justin Fields put together a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that culminated in a 16-yard scoring pass to receiver Darnell Mooney, giving the Bears a 27-26 lead with just 1:46 to play in the game.
Roethlisberger wasn't to be denied, completing four-of-five passes for 51 yards to the Bears 23-yard line for his 50th game-winning drive after kicker Chris Boswell hit a 40-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining and the defense held on one last gasp by the Bears.
"I'll take the win any way we can get it," said Roethlisberger. "I hate the stress of a fourth quarter comeback, but we'll take it."
