The Steelers looked to continue the progress made under second year head coach Bill Cowher.
However, the team would take a slight step backwards, finishing 9–7 (three games behind the eventual AFC Central champion Houston Oilers).
The day was highlighted by the emergence of Rams rookie Jerome Bettis running over the Steelers defense.
Early in the season the Steelers had reached contract extensions with Rod Woodson and Barry Foster and continued negotiations with other players.
However, this led to discord in the locker room, and management felt that contract talk was taking the team's focus off of winning.