Steve McNair's top 5 most memorable performances against the Steelers

With the passing of Steve McNair over the weekend, I thought it would be fitting to take a look back at some of his most dominating performances against the Steelers during his 13 year career.

And why not? There weren’t many players that dominated the Steelers like ‘Air McNair’ did. He routinely tortured the Black & Gold, with an all-time 11-5 record and .688 winning percentage against them.  Most of those games while playing hurt.

To honor his legacy, we (painfully) take look a back at Top 5 most memorable games McNair had against the Pittsburgh Steelers:

5. McNair shines in loss – Steelers 34 Titans 24 – 11/25/2001

The only reason this wasn’t higher on the list is because of the big fat “L” in the win/loss column, but you can’t place much of the blame on McNair for this one.

In the Titans final game in the AFC Central Division and looking to keep their playoff hopes alive at home, McNair torched the Steelers secondary by completing 23 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score to cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 27-24 with 8:23 left in the game but a short time later Pro Bowl tight end Frank Wycheck didn't look back for a pass. Steelers cornerback Chad Scott intercepted and returned it 45 yards for the clinching touchdown.

"Our quarterback needs help, and today he needed help from our defense, and we didn't get it," Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher said.

Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart was actually better in this game, combining for three touchdowns and no, yes I said no, interceptions. Apparently ‘Slash’ forgot his new skill of not turning the ball over about seven weeks later in the AFC Championship loss to New England.

4. More scores than incompletions – Titans 30 Steelers 13 – 9/28/03

Talk about precision passing. It was an offensive nightmare for the Steelers and an offensive gem by eventual NFL Co-MVP Steve McNair. Nearly mistake-free and opportunistic, he threw three touchdown passes following Steelers mistakes and Tennessee won for the third time in less than a year over the Black and Gold 30-13 at Heinz Field. He had only one incompletion.

As Steelers head coach Bill Cowher continued to be enamored by his uncharacteristic pass-first offense, Tommy Maddox threw two untimely interceptions and also was sacked for a safety with his team up 10-0 in the second quarter. Tennessee would score after receiving the free kick and never look back.

McNair, threw touchdown passes of 10 yards to Drew Bennett, 1 to Erron McKinney and 29 to Justin McCareins, marking the Titans 10th win over the Steelers in 12 games. He finished with 161 passing yards.

3. Christmas Eve Massacre – Ravens 31 Steelers 7 – 12/24/06

If you as a Steelers fan had these game tickets given to you as an early Christmas gift, you would have much rather preferred a lump of coal after this one was over. Steve McNair, now playing for Baltimore, had no problem once again dominating his old foe at Heinz Field, throwing for 256 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-7 route. The loss dashed the Super Bowl XL defending champion Steelers playoff hopes.

"To me, he's the secret weapon this year," Steelers lineman Brett Keisel said of McNair that day. "He's the reason they are where they are. He came into a new system and now he's taking them to the playoffs."

Pittsburgh was man-handled from the beginning, as Ben Roethlisberger threw two interceptions and Willie Parker ran for only 29 yards. The Steelers would become the first defending Super Bowl champions since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 to miss the playoffs. It was Bill Cowher’s last home game as head coach.  McNair improved to 10-4 against the Steelers with the win.

2. Superman saves the day – Titans 23 Steelers 20 – 9/24/00

It was the third game of the 2000 season. The Steelers had already dropped two games losing to the Ravens and the Browns. The defending AFC Champion Titans were coming in for their last visit to Three Rivers Stadium. McNair could not start but miraculously was able to dress after he underwent surgery to repair a broken chest bone. Doctors inserted wire to help the bone heal. Starting in his place was public enemy number one for Steelers fans: Neil O’Donnell.

Pittsburgh’s defense made it tough on O’Donnell all day, forcing him to throw three interceptions. After a Jerome Bettis touchdown run in the games final minutes, the former Steelers quarterback took the field to try and rally his team from a four point deficit. He never got that chance though, as on the first play of the series he was hammered to the turf by Jason Gildon. O’Donnell stumbled to his feet, blood streaking down his face and headed to the sidelines. The Three Rivers’ crowd was going absolutely bonkers.

Little did they know it was the worst thing that could have happened.

McNair replaced O’Donnell, and with just three passes and two runs brought the Titans from behind and led them to a last second 23-20 victory after hitting Erron Kinney on a 16 yard touchdown pass.

Later, the Steelers players would tell of hitting McNair and hearing him wheeze through the wire, moaning and groaning and then watching him get up and run another play. McNair was in unimaginable pain that afternoon, but he answered the bell yet again.

1. Heart ripped out of Steelers Nation – Titans 23 Steelers 20 OT - 1/11/03

The single-most heart wrenching loss at the hands of Steve McNair came in the AFC divisional round of the 2003 playoffs via a controversial field goal in Tennessee.

In an extremely exciting game the Titans jumped out to an early 14-0 lead thanks to scoring runs from McNair and Eddie George, only to watch the Steelers storm back with four unanswered scores to go ahead 20-14.

That lead didn’t last very long though, as McNair went to a no-huddle offense and threw two touchdown passes in a span of five minutes to put the Titans ahead 28-20 heading into the fourth quarter.

It was then the Steelers turn to score twice, including a 21-yard-touchdown reception by Hines Ward, to give Pittsburgh the lead 31-28.

Titans kicker Joe Nedney forced overtime with a field goal late in the fourth quarter, following yet another drive orchestrated by McNair, and the game was tied at 31 all.

We all know what happened next.

Tennessee won the coin toss in OT, received the kick-off, and drove down the field to set up a very makeable 31-yard field goal. Nedney missed it, but won an Oscar.

While attempting to block the kick, the Steelers’ Dewayne Washington slid softly into Nedney who went down as if he’d been shot in the shoulder. Flags flew. Running into the kicker called. 26-yard field goal made. Steelers lose 34-31.

McNair finished the game with a post-season career high 338 yards, two passing touchdowns and one rushing. He triumphed over the Steelers once again.

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams released this statement following McNair's death:  "We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair's passing today. He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with his untimely passing."

To read more about Steve McNair's death, please visit Hashem's examiner page by clicking here.

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