1981 Steelers 31 vs Giants 6 Preseason
Game joined in progress with Steelers leading 10-0 in 2nd quarter. The Steeler offense is clicking en route to an easy win as Bradshaw throws 2 TDs and Stoudt throws 2 more while a young Phil Simms struggles for New York. A pass-happy Bradshaw throws for nearly 250 yds despite playing only one series into the 3rd quarter and being without starters Swann and Stallworth. Game features rookie LB Lawrence Taylor, strangely wearing #98 instead of #56, who makes his presence known with a 3rd quarter sack of Stoudt. Mark Malone sees significant action at WR and David Trout, whose poor kicking ultimately costs the Steelers multiple games in 1981, gets rave reviews for his deep kickoffs. Video features lots of IC Light commercials and whoever originally recorded this game flips to an episode of Starsky & Hutch at halftime featuring a very perky pre-"Three's Company" Suzanne Summers in the role of a go-go dancer. :) A huge thank you to Jay Korber for generously providing us with this game!
1981 Steelers 33 vs Chiefs 37
7 Pittsburgh turnovers, 9 fumbles (5 lost), terrible place kicking (2 missed PAT's by Trout) and a host of mental errors overshadow a 300-yard passing day by Bradshaw and 100 yards receiving by Stallworth. Sidney Thornton ostensibly ends his career by coughing up the ball 3 times in a dismal 6-carry, 6-yd performance. The O-line repeatedly allows the KC front seven to penetrate literally untouched into the backfield, including on the backbreaking game-ender. Leading 33-30 with 2 minutes left, a first down inside the KC 30 and the Chiefs out of time outs, the Steelers (in spite of their avalanche of mistakes) seemingly have the game won. But as Bradshaw takes the snap and turns to hand the ball off to Franco Harris, LB Frank Manumaleuga crashes untouched through the middle of the line and hits Bradshaw before he can even hand the ball off. OLB Tom Howard (who is also untouched) scoops up the fumble and streaks 65 yards for a shocking game-winning score. Bradshaw's last gasp pass is picked off as the Steelers get off to a nightmare start to the 1981 season. Steelers fans, be warned: you'll spend much of this game wanting to punch announcer Bob Trumpy in the face. A special thanks to Matthew Simon for generously providing this classic video.
1981 Steelers 10 at Dolphins 30
Rough game. Even rougher video quality, plus severely edited huddles. Bradshaw takes a physical beating all evening with very little time from the O-line. The Steelers keep pace early, trailing 13-10 at halftime. But ill-timed penalties, porous run defense and poor special teams doom the Steelers, who give up a back-breaking 87-yard punt return to ice the game. Forced into desperation passes, Bradshaw throws a final pick and that's all she wrote. Ugly, ugly game. A special thanks to "SteelBuck 6" for generously providing this video.
1981 Steelers 38 vs Jets 10
Bradshaw is sharp and Stallworth is outstanding (8 rec, 134 yds), but ultimately it's the multitude of Steeler running backs (Franco Harris, Russell Davis, Frank Pollard and Sidney Thornton) who simply pound the Jets into submission by scoring 5 TDs on the ground and piling up 343 rushing yards. Even Bradshaw rushes for 41 yards and a TD! Early on, Bradshaw uses the pass to set up the run and Pittsburgh achieves near-perfect balance on offense, while Jack Lambert and the aging Steel Curtain defense give Joe Walton's offense NOTHING! This is a good 'ole fashioned butt-kicking.
1981 Steelers 27 vs Patriots 21 OT
Bradshaw to Swann wins a wild one in overtime! The Steelers manhandle the Pats for 3 quarters, piling up nearly 500 yds of offense, but allow the Pats hang around and blow a 14-point lead in the 4th. Bradshaw plays well, especially running (247 yds passing, 2 TDs, 49 yds rushing) while Franco, Pollard and Davis POUND New England as Pittsburgh rushes the ball 45 times for 251 yds. Aside from a few freak plays, the defense also plays well (particularly L.C. Greenwood, who seems to be everywhere). But the Steelers leave too many points on the field. Just before the half, Bradshaw hits Swann with a pinpoint 31-yd pass to the Patriots 1-inch line with 6 seconds left. The Steelers fail to score, however, when Franco is stuffed for no gain with no time outs and the clock ticks to zero. Early in the 3rd quarter, a Pittsburgh INT sets the Steelers up inside the Patriots 10, and this time Franco punches it in. But a pair of missed Trout FGs (of course), a missed safety call by the officials, a pair of HUGE defensive breakdowns on New England "gadget plays", a misread by Russell Davis on what would've been an easy TD pass and a Noll gamble that fails on 4th and 2 with 1:35 left allow a thoroughly outplayed New England team to send game into OT. Lynn Swann puts a quick end to that, snaring two deadly passes in OT, including the 24-yd game winner, leading to a jubilant celebration in the end zone. Features a postgame Costas-Trumpy interview with Terry Bradshaw.
1981 Steelers 20 at Saints 6
Bradshaw and Swann get started early in this one. Bradshaw hits 12 of 14 for 197 yds by halftime and before the 1st quarter is completed, Swann already has 4 receptions, including a 16-yd TD in which he battles defenders to the back of the end zone and makes a leaping grab of a high pass, followed by a perfect toe-tap to complete the score. In the 4th quarter, responsibility switches to Stallworth, who breaks down the left sideline, fakes rookie CB Johnnie Poe out of his jock and hauls in a perfect 47-yd TD bomb as Bradshaw beats a blitz to put the Steelers ahead 20-6. Meanwhile, the Steeler defense tallies 4 INTs and 6 sacks against Archie Manning's backups, Dave Wilson and Bobby Scott. Mel Blount is magnificent with 2 key INTs, multiple passes defensed and a number of backfield tackles for losses against Saints RBs. Pittsburgh plays like a veteran team and their stars make big plays on both sides of the ball as the Steelers outgain the Saints 406 to 180. But rookie LB Rickey Jackson is a real bright spot for the Saints, already flashing Hall of Fame talent with 7 unassisted tackles, a sack and 2 forced fumbles. In the 2nd quarter, Jackson chases Stallworth almost 40 yds downfield after a completion, grabs him from behind, spins him around and strips the ball. Significant video interference in the first half, picture clears up nicely for the 2nd half. Thanks to Paul Wood for generously providing us with this game!
1981 Steelers 13 vs Browns 7
Another classic! Several things stand out in my mind about this game: Swann's unthinkable drop of a sure TD bomb from Bradshaw; Swann's impossible grab of a 40-yard bomb down the right sideline; Blount's eye-popping hit on Calvin Hill. But above all, it's Lambert's BRUTAL, game-ending hit on Brian Sipe that I remember. The second in the trilogy of Lambert/Sipe run-ins, this one is easily the most vicious. Just as Sipe unleashes the ball, Lambert UNLOADS on him full blast, nearly ripping Sipe's head off with a dual forearm-to-the-head shot. Of course, flags fly. I'm telling you, I'm surprised it didn't kill Sipe (and frankly, he probably wished it had). As an added bonus, the cameras frequently pan to a dazed Sipe slumping on the bench with a towel over his head, clearly not knowing what planet he's on. Glorious! As usual, this one goes right down to the wire as Cleveland's "Three Rivers Jinx" continues.
1981 Steelers 7 at Bengals 34
In what is supposed to be a tightly contested game between two 4-2 AFC Central foes battling for first place, the Steelers are thoroughly dominated start to finish. While Cinci piles up 494 yds (the most ever against a Chuck Noll club), Pittsburgh's #1-ranked offense musters only 205 yds and narrowly averts the most lopsided Steelers defeat since 1969 on a Bradshaw TD pass in the final minute of the game. As ugly as it gets. A shout out to Jay Korber for generously providing us with this game!
1981 Steelers 26 vs Oilers 13 MNF
Pittsburgh is all over Houston like a cheap suit on a rainy Monday Night. In spite of outgaining the Oilers 228-88 in the 1st half, a host of Steeler miscues (MORE missed PATs by David Trout and numerous drops by Jim Smith, including a PERFECT 50-yd bomb that hits him in stride in the end zone for a sure TD) keep Oilers in game, allowing them to tie it up 13-13 in the 4th. But Franco takes command late in the game, breaking a 35-yd run to set up the go-ahead TD, then punches it in for another TD moments later following a Johnson Int to seal it.
1981 Steelers 14 vs 49ers 17
Bradshaw vs Montana! Franco is superb, gaining over 100 yards in a losing effort that the Steelers could've (and probably should've) won. Lambert and Blount are fantastic, picking off passes on consecutive drives (Blount's for a 50-yard TD) to turn a 10-0 3rd quarter deficit into a 14-10 lead. But while the Steelers move the ball up and down the field offensively, their 6 turnovers ultimately prove to be too much to overcome.
1981 Steelers 21 at Seahawks 24
Franco breaks 10,000 career rushing yards as the Steelers snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Early in the 2nd, Bradshaw hits a WIDE open Mark Malone for a team record 90-yd TD bomb and a 14-3 lead. The Steelers are up 21-3 and seem to be in control when they inexplicably allow Doornink to turn a short pass into a 44-yd TD and the Seahawks are suddenly back in it at 21-10. Trout misses a long 3rd qtr FG attempt that looks more like a squib kick. Early in 4th, Doornink again victimizes Pittsburgh with a short pass that turns into a 34-yd gain to set up a short TD. The crowd is suddenly into it, Seattle has momentum and Zorn hits Largent with a 53-yd bomb to set up another short TD and a 24-21 Seattle lead. Bradshaw responds with a pass to Franco that appears to go for an 82-yd TD, but a questionable holding call overturns the score. The Steelers get one last shot, driving to the Seattle 5 with 20 seconds left when in trots David Trout. Poised to send the game to overtime, Trout misses BADLY with what is probably the worst short kick I've ever seen. Perfect snap, perfect hold with the ball placed on the right hash. Trout hooks it so badly that the ball sails FAR wide left. Another game down the tubes due largely to Trout's horrible kicking. Game features Rocky Bleier in the booth for color commentary.
1981 Steelers 34 at Falcons 20
Terry Bradshaw (14 of 22, 253 yds) is on fire, throwing a career high 5 touchdowns to overshadow a huge day by his counterpart, Steve Bartowski (33 of 50, 416 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT). While Atlanta moves the ball well through the air, they are a turnover factory. In addition to Bartowski's pair of INTs (Lambert and Shell), the Falcons lose 4 fumbles to an alert Steeler defense, 2 of which end Atlanta scoring threats with 2 others setting up Steeler scores. The Steelers jump out to a 14-0 lead after Bradshaw completes an 18-yd TD to Cunningham in the 1st quarter and a 6-yarder to Stallworth in the 2nd. After a 35-yd TD from Bartkowski to Alfred Jackson, Bradshaw comes back to Stallworth for 19 yds and a 21-7 advantage. Bradshaw's lone INT leads to a 43-yd FG in the 3rd to cut the Steeler lead to 21-10. On Pittsburgh's next possession, Bradshaw is sacked and hyperextends his knee. He plays another down and limps off the field in pain as the Steelers punt. On the ensuing drive, Jack Lambert recovers a Wallace Francis fumble and returns it 23 yds to the Atlanta 29. Bradshaw limps back onto the field and promptly throws a 14-yd TD to Grossman (Trout's PAT is blocked). Bartowski strikes right back with a 30-yd TD passto Alfred Jenkins a minute into the 4th quarter and the Falcons trail only 27-17. But midway through the period, Bradshaw audibles to a deep post to Stallworth for a 53-yd gain. Three plays later, he reads a blitz and gets off his 5th and final TD pass of the game, a 22-yarder to Swann, to put the game away. A special thanks to "SteelBuck 6" for providing this sweet video upgrade!
1981 Steelers 32 at Browns 10
Brian Sipe sets a club record on this cold, windy, nasty day by throwing 6 INTs: 3 to Donnie Shell, 2 to Anthony Washington and 1 to Ron Johnson. Greg Hawthorne, Sidney Thornton and Franco Harris provide the Steelers early TDs on short runs and Bradshaw throws short TDs late in the game to a pair of unlikely recipients -- 1-yd to a very excited Ray Pinney on a tackle-eligible play and a 5-yarder to Rick Moser. Kicker David Trout continues the agony of his pitiful rookie season by missing 3 straight extra point attempts. The Browns take an early lead on Matt Bahr's 33-yd FG but they would have had 6 points if not for a Gregg Pruitt drop of a sure TD pass in the end zone. The Steelers then score quick back-to-back TD's as Hawthorne scores from a yard out following a long Pittsburgh drive, Washington intercepts Sipe, and Thornton immediately capitalizes with a 3-yd TD to make it 12-3. Dave Logan snags a 13-yd TD to make it 12-10 at halftime, but the Steelers take their opening drive of the first half the distance, keyed by fake a FG (due to Trout's obvious struggles) and pick up a key first down and set up Harris' 2-yd TD run a few plays later. Trout misses his 3rd straight PAT (this one is blocked) but the rout is on as Sipe suddenly can't stop throwing INTs and the Steelers run up the score in the 4th quarter. A special thanks to Brad Geffers for providing us with this game!
1981 Steelers 24 vs Rams 0
A simply brutal butt-kicking. Jack Lambert is seemingly everywhere as the Steelers pound Rams in a Super Bowl rematch at Three Rivers Stadium. "Count Dracula in Cleats" gets up close and personal with Wendell Tyler early in the game and plays like a man possessed for the rest of the afternoon. Wendell never should've poked the bear, because Lambert seeks him out several times for additional punishment. Outstanding performances are also delivered by Franco Harris (18 carries, 114 yds, 1 TD), Mel Blount and Jack Ham. Rams QB Pat Haden gets knocked out of the game early after being intercepted by Ham and the Steel Curtain proceeds to beat backup Dan Pastorini like an ugly stepchild, intercepting him 3 times (2 by Blount) and nailing him for 3 sacks. While the Steelers score 21 points in the first 17 minutes of the game, the Rams manage just 2 first downs in the 1st half, entering Pittsburgh territory only once via a fumble recovery, and their only scoring chance dies when Frank Corral's FG attempt is blocked. Lynn Swann catches a 9-yd TD from Bradshaw early in the 2nd quarter, but ends up hospitalized with a bruised lung after coughing up blood. Bradshaw passes sparingly for 204 yds and the Steelers rush 44 times for 211 yds while holding the Rams to just 174 yds of total offense.
1981 Steelers 27 at Raiders 30 MNF
With the Steelers leading 7-0 and a chance to extend their lead after a Blount INT early in the 2nd quarter, Bradshaw fractures his right hand (and effectively ends Pittsburgh's playoff hopes) on a Ted Hendricks sack. Backup QB Mark Malone comes in and plays surprisingly well for 2 quarters, but his miscues in the the 4th quarter (2 bad INTs, one in the end zone) along with a collapse by Steelers special teams (another missed PAT by Trout and a Raider punt return for a TD) doom the Steelers.
1981 Steelers 10 vs Bengals 17
The Bengals lead 17-3 and are marching for another score when Jack Lambert intercepts Ken Anderson at the Steeler 17 and returns it to the 30. Mark Malone, despite struggling in his first pro start with Bradshaw's season over due to a broken hand, suddenly comes to life and moves the Steelers 70 yards in 9 plays, completing a 2-yd TD to Harris to narrow the score to 17-10 with 2:52 to play. The Steel Curtain forces a Bengals punt 53 seconds later and Malone coolly moves Pittsburgh to the Bengals 33 in just 3 plays. But the Steelers get no closer as Malone throws 4 straight incompletions and turns it over on downs. A huge thank you to Jay Korber for generously providing us with this game!
1982 Steelers 24 at Patriots 20 Preseason
Played at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, this preseason opener between the Steelers and Patriots surprisingly generates one of the largest crowds in NFL history (93,249). The crowd is so large that it actually represents the largest the Patriots had ever played before at that time. A huge thank you to Jay Korber for generously providing us with this game!
1982 Steelers 37 vs Colts 15 Preseason
The Steelers look to be in mid-season form as they simply overwhelm the Colts, especially Bradshaw who throws for 260 yards while playing only the first half, including 2 TDs to Stallworth and what should've been a third to Jim Smith if not for a drop. The Steelers appear able to do whatever they want offensively, with RB Greg Hawthorne in particular having a remarkable receiving day. Game features 3 missed PATs by 2 of the NFL's worst kickers (Dave Trout and Mike Wood).
1982 Steelers 36 at Cowboys 28 MNF
The Landry-era Cowboys experience a rare loss in a home opener thanks to 3 Terry Bradshaw TD passes and an opportunistic Pittsburgh defense. Things get off to a rocky start for Pittsburgh when they fumble away the opening kickoff after a good return. But Dallas fails to capitalize after driving to the Pittsburgh 15 when a botched, stumbling handoff from White to Dorsett is recovered by Pittsburgh. From there, Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw (17 of 28, 246 yds, 3 TD, 0 Int), Franco Harris (24 carries, 103 yds) and John Stallworth (7 rec, 137 yds, 1 TD) all shine as the venerable Steelers outsmart, outplay and outlast the powerful Cowboys on Monday Night Football. The teams trade TDs in the first half and Dallas clings to a 14-13 lead at the break with the difference being a missed Pittsburgh PAT. With Tony Dorsett completely neutralized by Pittsburgh's new 3-4 defensive scheme (11 carries, 30 yards), Pittsburgh puts the game on Danny White's shoulders. White responds with 347 yds and 4 TDs but is also victimized for a pair of interceptions (Jack Ham, Rick Woods) and a blocked punt in the 3rd quarter, allowing the Steelers to explode for 20 unanswered points en route to an insurmountable 33-14 lead, rendering a late Dallas comeback effort irrelevant. A bright start to a season that was probably the most enjoyable of the '80s for me, in spite of being strike-shortened and ending in the first round of the playoffs. Thanks to Russell "SteelBuck 6" Emch for generously providing this sweet video upgrade!
1982 Steelers 26 vs Bengals 20 OT
Franco Harris rushes for only 6 yds on 3 carries but catches a career-high 11 passes for 88 yds in a thriller. QBs Bradshaw & Anderson both do great Montana impressions, dinking & dunking their way up & down the field all afternoon for over 600 yds passing with shockingly little running involved (just 26 yds rushing for Pittsburgh and 69 yds for Cinci). But while Bradshaw throws 3 TD strikes and no INTs, Anderson is picked off 3 times (2 by Donnie Shell) including one in the end zone after Cinci had driven to the Steeler 3 yard line. Chris Collinsworth has a huge day (9 catches, 144 yds), but Jack Ham's consistent harassment of Anderson, a blocked chip-shot FG on the final play of regulation by Tom Beasley and Dwayne Woodruff's INT & subsequent return to the Bengal 2 early in overtime are game-savers for the Steelers. On first and goal from the 2 in overtime, after a lengthy conference with Coach Chuck Noll during a timeout, Bradshaw surprisingly calls a pass play and hits Stallworth for a 2-yd TD to win it. After this game, unfortunately, the NFL players went on strike. Video features some nice pregame & halftime footage.
1982 Steelers 24 at Oilers 10
Both teams show signs of rust coming back from the 57-day NFL Players strike in a sloppy game with a preseason feel. Gifford Nielsen flounders around for most of the game and throws 3 INTs (2 by Donnie Shell), but somehow plays the sluggish Steelers to a 10-10 3rd quarter tie. Hoping for a spark, the newly acquired Archie Manning comes off the bench in the 3rd quarter and is promptly stripped of the ball by Jack Ham and Lambert recover at the Houston 17. Bradshaw immediately capitalizes, hitting Cunningham in the middle of the end zone on the next play for a 17-10 lead. Following an Oiler punt, Bradshaw sticks the dagger in Houston with his 3rd TD pass of the game, a perfect 32-yard strike to Jim Smith to secure a 24-10 victory. A shout out to Brad Geffers for the upgrade!
1982 Steelers 35 vs Chiefs 14
Bradshaw, Stallworth and Lambert shine in an absolute butt-kicking. Bradshaw comes into the game with a sore shoulder and it's rumored that Terry's elbow problems started in training camp in '82, but there's absolutely no evidence of any arm issues in this game. After a tipped pass is picked off early, Bradshaw is nearly flawless (15 of 20, 231 yds), striking deep repeatedly and exploding for 3 TDs in the first half, including a spectacular 74-yd TD strike to Stallworth (4 rec., 107 yds, 2 TD) in which Terry rifles the ball 50 yards downfield with a mere flick of his wrist, hitting Stallworth perfectly in stride. Bradshaw strikes deep again just before the half, uncorking a 51-yarder down the middle to Jim Smith to set up a 1-yd plunge by Harris that gives the Steelers a 28-7 halftime lead. Meanwhile, Chiefs QB Steve Fuller is pummeled mercilessly as the Steelers sack him 8 times (3 by Jack Lambert) with jailbreak after jailbreak and Donnie Shell adds to his NFL-leading INT total. With a comfortable lead and few signs of life from Kansas City, Cliff Stoudt enters the game in relief of Bradshaw in the 3rd quarter. Video includes halftime show with highlights from around the league.
1982 Steelers 9 at Browns 10
The turnover-plagued Steelers are their own worst enemy in a quagmire of mud at Cleveland Stadium, and no one struggles more than Terry Bradshaw -- traditionally a great QB in bad weather -- who is sacked 3 times and throws 4 INTs (3 by rookie Hanford Dixon). Compounding Bradshaw's struggles are a host of drops by Steeler receivers, including Hall of Famers. Swann is held to no catches and Stallworth finishes with only 1 reception for 6 yds (albeit a TD). Defensively, the Steelers are outstanding, sacking Paul McDonald 6 times and limiting Cleveland to 224 total yds with just 38 on the ground. But a shanked 16-yd punt by John Goodson from his own end zone gives Cleveland fantastic field position late in the 3rd. Donnie Shell slips on a pass play resulting in a 22-yd reception by Ozzie Newsome to the 1, and Cleveland caps the drive with a goal line plunge to take a 10-7 lead. Pittsburgh threatens only once after that, getting to the Cleveland 39 with 1:17 left before Bradshaw throws his 3rd INT of the day on 4th & 4. Thanks to Brad Geffers for providing us with this game!
1982 Steelers 37 vs Patriots 14
This is an absolute butt-kicking. Bradshaw shakes off a 2-game slump (17 of 27, 282 yds, 2 TDs, 0 INT) as Steelers absolutely dominate Pats, effortlessly moving the ball up and down the field. If not for a pair of ill-timed fumbles, the final score could've been much worse. Swannie (3 rec, 40 yds) breaks the Steelers' all-time reception record early in the game as Bradshaw spreads the ball around to 8 different receivers, while Franco Harris does his part with 101 yds on 23 carries as the Steelers out-rush New England 212-48.
1982 Steelers 37 vs Browns 21
Franco looks amazingly quick & agile, putting on an incredible show as he earns his 42nd career 100-yard game (120 yards on 23 carries), passing O.J. Simpson for 3rd all-time. "The Jinx" is clearly working its voodoo in this one as back-up QB Paul McDonald throws an absolutely picture-perfect 40-yard TD bomb to a WIDE open receiver... who promptly drops it. While early mistakes cost the Steelers points, Bradshaw, Swann and the Steel Curtain also shine as Pittsburgh pummels Cleveland, piling up over 500 yards of offense -- out-rushing Cleveland 261-52 -- and taking a 27-7 lead on a Bradshaw-to-Smith bomb on the first play of the 4th quarter. But despite getting their butts kicked, Cleveland makes it interesting late in the game. Under the constant pressure of a fierce Steeler pass rush, McDonald & the Cleveland offense somehow sputter their way to two 4th quarter TDs, closing to 27-21 with 5 long minutes remaining. But facing 3rd and 11 from their own 19, Bradshaw hits Swannie (5 rec., 104 yds) for 57 yards up the middle (plus a 15-yard personal foul on the play) and Gary Anderson nails the icing FG. Following McDonald's 4th INT of the day, the Steelers easily grind out yet another TD and the "Three Rivers Jinx" continues for Cleveland. Game has a minute or two of sound & tracking problems early in 1st quarter, but is otherwise fine.
1982 AFC Playoffs Steelers 28 vs Chargers 31
Bradshaw vs. Fouts in a shootout that more than lives up to the hype. San Diego fumbles the opening kickoff and Pittsburgh recovers for a TD and is up by 7 before either offense takes the field. Bradshaw is unbelievable for most of the afternoon, hitting 24 of his first 26 passes including 14 in a row at one point. Stallworth catches 8 for 116 yds and a TD and while Franco gains only 35 yards rushing, he leads all receivers with a career high 11 catches. Meanwhile, Fouts is Fouts, matching Bradshaw's 325-yard passing effort with 333 yards of his own. San Diego's offense piles up yardage with Chuck Muncie rushing for 126 yards and both Wes Chandler and Kellen Winslow going over 100 yards receiving. Even so, the Steelers seem to be on the road to victory with a 28-17 4th quarter lead until a late Bradshaw INT opens the door for a San Diego comeback. Equally damaging is a drop by Cunningham late in the game that ends a promising drive and a host of "almost INT's" that Steelers defenders fail to hang onto. The key play of the game is a HUGE 4th quarter INT by Blount in the end zone that is nullified by a penalty away from the play on Jack Ham in the final game of his Hall of Fame career. Includes some excellent postgame analysis and player interviews from "The 5th Quarter."
* = Made Playoffs The Wonder Years? Or the Dark Ages?
Ah, the '80s... the "Dark Years" of Steelers football. ***SHUDDER*** I turned 12 in 1980 and the end of the '70s dynasty was one of my first wake-up calls to the fact that life is often filled with disappoinments and unwanted changes. At the time, I had no real concept of how ephemeral NFL careers are, so the seemingly sudden retirements of the heros of my youth like Bradshaw, Swann, Lambert, etc. were somewhat shocking to my young mind and left me a bit disillusioned with football. High school was right around the corner and with it came a major shift in interests. My passion for football was soon replaced by a preoccupation with girls, guitars... and girls. :) While I still cheered for the Steelers and watched them when I could, the deeper connection I'd felt toward the players of the '70s was lost and I busied myself with other pursuits. As a result, you won't find as many games from the '80s on the site as from earlier years.
Perspective: The Factory of Sadness
It's interesting (and illustrative of how consistently good the Steelers really are) that as bad as things seemed during the "Dark Years" of the 1980's, the Steelers still made the playoffs 4 times and only suffered 3 seasons with a losing record.
Contrast those results with the last 16 years of futility from the "Factory of Sadness" in Cleveland:
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