Troy Polamalu
RetiredPittsburgh Steelers · S
Troy Polamalu recorded 156 indexed regular-season NFL appearances across 12 rostered seasons with Pittsburgh Steelers.
4.3
tackles/gm
15
playoff games
12
indexed seasons
156
career games
Five defining games
Start here
A researched consensus introduction to Troy Polamalu's defining games.
Editorial methodology and sources
Cross-checked Polamalu's Hall of Fame biography, Steelers championship history, Defensive Player of the Year season, and verified archive statistics. The AFC title pick-six leads, both championships follow, and two multi-impact regular-season games preserve his unusual ability to rush, cover, and score.
- #1. Polamalu read Joe Flacco and returned the interception 40 yards for the clinching touchdown, sending Pittsburgh to Super Bowl XLIII. Pro Football Hall of Fame: Troy Polamalu
- #2. Polamalu helped hold Arizona scoreless through the first quarter and completed a postseason with three interceptions as Pittsburgh won his second championship. Pro Football Hall of Fame: Troy Polamalu
- #3. Polamalu made five tackles while ranging across Pittsburgh's defense in Super Bowl XL, completing the first championship run of his career. Pro Football Hall of Fame: Troy Polamalu
- #4. Polamalu intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown against Cincinnati during the stretch that secured Defensive Player of the Year. Pro Football Hall of Fame: Troy Polamalu
- #5. Polamalu recorded a career-high three sacks and five solo tackles in Houston, an early demonstration of how uniquely he could attack from safety. Pro Football Hall of Fame: Troy Polamalu
Reviewed through 2026-08-11
Conference Championship
2008BALTIMORERAVENS
PITTSBURGHSTEELERS
Score hidden
JAN 18, 2009
Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Conference Championship · Jan 18, 2009
4 tackles · 0 sacks · 1 INT
Super Bowl
XLIIIPITTSBURGHSTEELERS
ARIZONACARDINALS
Score hidden
FEB 1, 2009
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Arizona Cardinals
Super Bowl XLIII · Feb 1, 2009
2 tackles · 0 sacks · 0 INT
Super Bowl
XLSEATTLESEAHAWKS
PITTSBURGHSTEELERS
Score hidden
FEB 5, 2006
Seattle Seahawks vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl XL · Feb 5, 2006
5 tackles · 0 sacks · 0 INT
Single-game peaks
Career highs
Position-relevant single-game records from Troy Polamalu's indexed NFL box scores.
Career high: 11 total tackles
Regular Season
2014CLEVELANDBROWNS
PITTSBURGHSTEELERS
Score hidden
SEP 7, 2014
Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Regular Season · Sep 7, 2014
11 tackles · 0 sacks · 0 INT
Career highs: 2 interceptions · 57 interception return yards
Regular Season
2010CINCINNATIBENGALS
PITTSBURGHSTEELERS
Score hidden
DEC 12, 2010
Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Regular Season · Dec 12, 2010
2 tackles · 0 sacks · 2 INT
Career high: 4 passes defended
Regular Season
2008PITTSBURGHSTEELERS
NEW ENGLANDPATRIOTS
Score hidden
NOV 30, 2008
Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots
Regular Season · Nov 30, 2008
4 tackles · 0 sacks · 1 INT