The 1997 Pittsburgh Steelers enjoyed a successful transition year, finishing with an 11-5 record and clinching their fourth consecutive AFC Central division title. Led by "Slash" Kordell Stewart in his first year as the starting quarterback and a dominant ground game powered by Jerome Bettis's 1,665 rushing yards, the team featured the league's top-ranked rushing attack. The season was highlighted by three exciting overtime victories and a resilient defense that helped the squad advance to the AFC Championship Game after a gritty 7-6 playoff win over the New England Patriots. The 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers season was highlighted by the standout performances of Pro Bowl center Dermontti Dawson and star running back Jerome Bettis, who rushed for over 1,100 yards. Despite a challenging 7-9 finish, the team showcased their potential with impressive victories over the eventual playoff-bound Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers. The season also saw the promising debut of future stars Hines Ward and Alan Faneca, laying the groundwork for the franchise's future success.