The 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 41st season in the National Football League. The team finished second in the AFC Central division, but qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season.
The 1973 Steelers' pass defense is arguably the greatest in the history of the NFL. Their defensive passer rating -- the quarterback passer rating of all opposing quarterbacks throughout the season -- was 33.1, an NFL record for the Super Bowl era.
According to Cold Hard Football Facts:
Pittsburgh's pass-defense numbers that year were stunning. Opposing passers compiled the following stat-line:
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- 164 of 359 (45.7%) for 1,923 yards, 5.36, 11 and 37
The Steelers lost to the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
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—Thomas Hardy (18401928)