Pittsburgh secured a 23-0 victory over New England in the Wild Card round of the 2072 playoffs on December 25. The Steelers' offense combined for 335 passing yards and 101 rushing yards, while their defense prevented any points from the Patriots.

Pittsburgh's Joe Lockwood completed 33 of 40 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. Wide receiver Stacey Frick had a standout performance, catching the 88-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter and accumulating 118 receiving yards. Tight end Vincent Cashwell contributed 132 receiving yards, becoming a key target throughout the game. Running back Leon Kline added 30 rushing yards and scored a touchdown on a 2-yard run in the second quarter.

The Steelers took an early lead at 7-0 when Lockwood connected with Frick on a quick strike, followed by a successful extra point from kicker Michael Turner. Pittsburgh extended its lead in the second quarter when Kline punched in the team's second touchdown, and Turner added three field goals in total from 44, 46, and 32 yards, three-of-four attempts, cementing the points on the board.

Defensively, the Steelers recorded four sacks with Damian Byrd contributing two sacks from the left defensive end position. The defense forced a costly interception near the end of the first half, which helped maintain momentum and control the game's pace. Pittsburgh's defense held New England to just 60 passing yards and 37 rushing yards with no scoring drives.

New England struggled offensively, completing only 12 of 22 passes for 60 yards with one interception and failing to convert any scoring opportunities. Their inability to generate offensive pressure allowed Pittsburgh to dominate the ball control and field position battle.

Special teams also played a significant role, with Pittsburgh's defense effectively limiting the Patriots' return game, allowing multiple fair catches and two touchbacks. Turner's reliability on field goals provided crucial points that extended Pittsburgh’s lead throughout the second and third quarters.

Coach Eric Hess guided the Steelers to a sound performance on both sides of the ball. Pittsburgh did not attempt any third-down conversions or red zone visits, indicating offensive efficiency and sustained drives.

With this win, Pittsburgh advances past the Wild Card stage, eliminating New England from the playoffs in this single-elimination round.