Having won the AFC Central championship for their first division crown, the Steelers prepared for their 1972 playoff opener with Oakland. Pittsburgh opened as a 3-point favorite after winning all seven regular season home games.
Playoff tickets went on sale Monday, Dec. 18. By the arbitrary rotation system the NFL used to determine home teams, the Steelers would host both rounds of AFC playoffs. The Oakland game sold out immediately, but in the Dec. 19 Post-Gazette, Jack Sell wrote, "A limited number of pasteboards remain for the Dec. 31 American Conference championship in the North Side arena. Rooney U. must beat the Raiders to qualify for the title tussle. All ducats for that one are priced at $12.15."
Starting wide receiver Frank Lewis broke his collarbone in the season finale in San Diego, so rookie Barry Pearson was activated from the taxi squad.
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