1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season

Sports season

1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season
OwnerArt Rooney
General managerDick Haley
Head coachChuck Noll
Home fieldThree Rivers Stadium
Results
Record12–4
Division place1st AFC Central
Playoff finishWon Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Dolphins) 34–14
Won AFC Championship
(vs. Oilers) 27–13
Won Super Bowl XIV
(vs. Rams) 31–19
Pro Bowlers
10
  • CB Mel Blount
  • QB Terry Bradshaw
  • DT Joe Greene
  • DE L. C. Greenwood
  • LB Jack Ham
  • RB Franco Harris
  • LB Jack Lambert
  • S Donnie Shell
  • WR John Stallworth
  • C Mike Webster
AP All-Pros
6
  • Jack Ham (1st team)
  • Jack Lambert (1st team)
  • Donnie Shell (1st team)
  • John Stallworth (1st team)
  • Mike Webster (1st team)
  • Mel Blount (2nd team)
Team MVPJohn Stallworth

The 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 47th season in the National Football League (NFL). The Steelers successfully defended their Super Bowl Championship from the previous year, despite not improving on their 14–2 record from last year with a 12–4 record. They went on to defeat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV. The Steelers started out to a 4–0 record. Adding to the previous season, the Steelers had won 12 in a row. They finished the regular season at 12–4. In six of those games the opponents were held to a touchdown or less. In the playoffs Pittsburgh defeated Miami, 34–14 and then for the second consecutive season beat Houston 27–13, in the AFC championship game. The Steelers ended the decade by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31–19 in Super Bowl XIV. Despite them and the San Diego Chargers having 12–4 records, the Chargers were awarded the top seed in the AFC because of their victory over the Steelers.

With the win, and the Pittsburgh Pirates win in the 1979 World Series, Pittsburgh would be the last city to claim Super Bowl and World Series wins in the same year until 1986 when the New York Mets won the World Series in 7 games over the Boston Red Sox, and the New York Giants won Super Bowl XXI 39–20 over the Denver Broncos.

On February 23, 2007, NFL Network aired America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, the 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers, with team commentary from John Banaszak, L. C. Greenwood and John Stallworth, and narrated by Ed Harris. They are the last team to win a Super Bowl featuring players that had never played for another team; 40 original draft picks and six free agents out of college. The records for most points scored per game as well as in the regular season overall for the Steelers belonged to the 1979 squad, until they scored 436, amounting to 27.3 per game in 2014, the all-time franchise record in both categories.

Offseason

NFL draft

1979 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 28 Greg Hawthorne  Running back Baylor
2 56 Zack Valentine  Linebacker East Carolina
4 86 Russell Davis  Running back Michigan
4 110 Calvin Sweeney  Wide receiver USC
5 137 Dwaine Board  Defensive end North Carolina A&T
6 157 Bill Murrell  Tight end Winston-Salem State
6 161 Dwayne Woodruff  Defensive back Louisville
6 165 Matt Bahr  Kicker Penn State
7 192 Bruce Kimball  Offensive guard UMass
8 220 Tom Graves  Linebacker Michigan State
9 248 Rick Kirk  Defensive end Denison
10 275 Tod Thompson  Tight end BYU
11 303 Charlie Moore  Center Wichita State
12 322 Ed Smith  Linebacker Vanderbilt
12 330 Mike Almond  Wide receiver Northwest Louisiana
      Made roster  

Personnel

Staff

1979 Pittsburgh Steelers staff

Front office

  • Chairman of the board – Arthur J. Rooney
  • President – Daniel M. Rooney
  • Vice president – John R. McGinley
  • Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
  • Public relations director – Ed Kiely
  • Traveling secretary – James A. Boston
  • Publicity director – Joe Gordon
  • Controller – Dennis P. Thimons
  • Assistant controller – James S. Maund
  • Director of ticket sales – Geraldine Glenn
  • Director of player personnel – Dick Haley
  • Assistant director of player personnel – Bill Nunn
  • Director of professional scouting – V. Timothy Rooney
  • Talent scout – West Coast – Bob Schmitz
  • Pro talent scout – Tom Modrak
  • College talent scout – Joe Krupa

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches


Strength and conditioning

  • Strength – Louis Riecke
  • Flexibility – Paul Uram
  • Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber
  • Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates
  • Physician, orthopedic – Dr. Paul B. Steele, Jr.
  • Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek
  • Trainer – Ralph Berlin
  • Assistant trainer – Robert Milie
  • Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi
  • Field manager – Jack Hart
  • Film director – Bob McCartney
  • Photographer – Harry Homa

[1]

Roster

1979 Pittsburgh Steelers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • 69 Fred Anderson DE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 45 Russell Davis RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 26 Larry Douglas WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 62 Willie Fry DE/DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 74 Ray Pinney T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 85 Calvin Sweeney WR (PUPTooltip Physically unable to perform)


Practice squad [2] [3] [4]
Rookies in italics
 46 active, 6 inactive, 0 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Kickoff TV Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.com
recap
1 August 4 at Buffalo Bills 6:00 p.m. EDT WIIC W 15–7 1–0 Rich Stadium
34,370
2 August 11 New York Giants 6:00 p.m. EDT WIIC W 10–3 2–0 Three Rivers Stadium
46,624
3 August 17 at New York Jets 8:00 p.m. EDT WIIC W 27–14 3–0 Giants Stadium
46,159
4 August 25 at Dallas Cowboys 9:00 p.m. EDT NBC L 14–16 3–1 Texas Stadium
64.543

Notes:

a All times are EASTERN time.

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Kickoff TV Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 3 at New England Patriots 9:00 p.m. EDT ABC W 16–13 (OT) 1–0 Schaefer Stadium
60,978
 Recap
2 September 9 Houston Oilers 1:00 p.m. EDT NBC W 38–7 2–0 Three Rivers Stadium
49,792
 Recap
3 September 16 at St. Louis Cardinals 4:00 p.m. EDT NBC W 24–21 3–0 Busch Memorial Stadium
50,416
 Recap
4 September 23 Baltimore Colts 1:00 p.m. EDT NBC W 17–13 4–0 Three Rivers Stadium
49,483
 Recap
5 September 30 at Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 p.m. EDT NBC L 14–17 4–1 Veterans Stadium
70,352
 Recap
6 October 7 at Cleveland Browns 4:00 p.m. EDT NBC W 51–35 5–1 Cleveland Municipal Stadium
81,260
 Recap
7 October 14 at Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 p.m. EDT NBC L 10–34 5–2 Riverfront Stadium
52,381
 Recap
8 October 22 Denver Broncos 9:00 p.m. EDT ABC W 42–7 6–2 Three Rivers Stadium
49,699
 Recap
9 October 28 Dallas Cowboys 1:00 p.m. EST CBS W 14–3 7–2 Three Rivers Stadium
50,199
 Recap
10 November 4 Washington Redskins 1:00 p.m. EST CBS W 38–7 8–2 Three Rivers Stadium
49,462
 Recap
11 November 11 at Kansas City Chiefs 1:00 p.m. EST NBC W 30–3 9–2 Arrowhead Stadium
70,132
 Recap
12 November 18 at San Diego Chargers 4:00 p.m. EST NBC L 7–35 9–3 San Diego Stadium
52,426
 Recap
13 November 25 Cleveland Browns 1:00 p.m. EST NBC W 33–30 (OT) 10–3 Three Rivers Stadium
48,773
 Recap
14 December 2 Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 p.m. EST NBC W 37–17 11–3 Three Rivers Stadium
46,521
 Recap
15 December 10 at Houston Oilers 9:00 p.m. EST ABC L 17–20 11–4 Astrodome
55,293
 Recap
16 December 16 Buffalo Bills 1:00 p.m. EST NBC W 28–0 12–4 Three Rivers Stadium
48,002
 Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Notes:

a All times are EASTERN time. (UTC–4 and UTC–5 starting October 28)

Game summaries

Week 1: at New England Patriots

Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Steelers 0 6 07316
Patriots 7 6 00013

at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: Monday, September 3
  • Game time: 9:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C), wind 13 mph (21 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 60,978
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play by play), Don Meredith & Howard Cosell (color commentators)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • NE – Russ Francis 4-yard pass from Steve Grogan (John Smith kick) NE 7-0

Second quarter

  • PIT – Sidney Thornton 2-yard run (kick failed) NE 7-6
  • NE – John Smith 31-yard field goal NE 10-6
  • NE – John Smith 32-yard field goal NE 13-6

Fourth quarter

  • PIT – Sidney Thornton 21-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) 13-13 tie

Overtime

  • PIT – Matt Bahr 41-yard field goal PIT 16-13

Passing

  • PIT: Terry Bradshaw 15/26, 221 yards, TD
  • NE: Steve Grogan 11/33, 123 yards, TD, 2 INT

Rushing

  • PIT: Franco Harris 26 att, 74 yards
  • NE: Sam Cunningham 17 att, 62 yards

Receiving

  • PIT: John Stallworth 5 rec, 95 yards
  • NE: Russ Francis 5 rec, 53 yards, TD

Week 2: vs. Houston Oilers

Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 0 0 077
Steelers 7 3 141438

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Sunday, September 9
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), (Partly Cloudy) wind 6 mph (9.7 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 49,792
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • PIT – Sidney Thornton 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

Second quarter

  • PIT – Matt Bahr 45-yard field goal

Third quarter

  • PIT – Sidney Thornton 16-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
  • PIT – Greg Hawthorne 8-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

Fourth quarter

  • PIT – Jim Smith 18-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
  • PIT – Dirt Winston 41-yard interception return (Matt Bahr kick)
  • HOU – Guido Merkins 9-yard pass from Gifford Nielsen (Toni Fritsch kick)

Passing

  • HOU: Gifford Nielsen 4/11, 41 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • PIT: Terry Bradshaw 12/29, 198 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Rushing

  • HOU: Earl Campbell 16 att, 38 yards
  • PIT: Franco Harris 14 att, 42 yards

Receiving

  • HOU: Billy Johnson 2 rec, 32 yards
  • PIT: Lynn Swann 5 rec, 95 yards

Week 3: at St. Louis Cardinals

Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 0 01724
Cardinals 9 6 6021

at Busch Memorial Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: Sunday, September 16
  • Game time: 4:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), wind 5 mph (8.0 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 50,416
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • STL – Theotis Brown 1-yard run (kick failed)

Third quarter

  • STL – Mike Wood 24-yard field goal
  • STL – Mike Wood 27-yard field goal

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 14/31, 206 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • STL – Jim Hart 12/24, 132 yards

Rushing

  • PIT – Rocky Bleier 13 att, 73 yards, TD
  • STL – Theotis Brown 14 att, 69 yards, TD

Receiving

  • PIT – John Stallworth 6 rec, 80 yards, TD
  • STL – Mel Gray 1 rec, 48 yards

Week 4: vs. Baltimore Colts

Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 10 0 3013
Steelers 7 3 0717

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Sunday, September 23
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C), (Sunny) wind 10 mph (16 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 49,483
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (NBC): Sam Nover (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • BAL – Steve Mike-Mayer 27-yard field goal
  • PIT – John Stallworth 47-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
  • BAL – Roger Carr 36-yard pass from Greg Landry (Steve Mike-Mayer kick)

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • BAL – Steve Mike-Mayer 24-yard field goal

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • BAL – Greg Landry 17/34, 195 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 19/29, 249 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Rushing

  • BAL – Joe Washington 21 att, 65 yards
  • PIT – Sidney Thornton 13 att, 129 yards

Receiving

  • BAL – Roger Carr 4 rec, 68 yards, TD
  • PIT – John Stallworth 4 rec, 83 yards, TD

Week 5: at Philadelphia Eagles

Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 7 0714
Eagles 0 7 10017

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

  • Date: Sunday, September 30
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 70,352
  • Referee: Cal Lepore
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play by play), Len Dawson (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • PHI – Tony Franklin 48-yard field goal
  • PHI – Wilbert Montgomery 1-yard run (Tony Franklin kick)

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 12/26, 176 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • PHI – Ron Jaworski 11/20, 158 yards, 2 INT

Rushing

  • PIT – Sidney Thornton 16 att, 88 yards, TD
  • PHI – Wilbert Montgomery 28 att, 98 yards, TD

Receiving

  • PIT – John Stallworth 5 rec, 102 yards, TD
  • PHI – Keith Krepfle 4 rec, 95 yards

Week 6: at Cleveland Browns

Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 21 9 71451
Browns 0 14 71435

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: Sunday, October 7
  • Game time: 4:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), wind 17 mph (27 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 81,260
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 12/21, 161 yards, 3 TD
  • CLE – Brian Sipe 22/41, 351 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT

Rushing

  • PIT – Franco Harris 19 att, 153 yards, 2 TD
  • CLE – Mike Pruitt 15 att, 73 yards

Receiving

  • PIT – John Stallworth 4 rec, 96 yards, TD
  • CLE – Ozzie Newsome 6 rec, 97 yards, TD

Week 7: at Cincinnati Bengals

Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 3 0 0710
Bengals 7 20 0734

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati

  • Date: Sunday, October 14
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), wind 7 mph (11 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 52,381
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Sam Nover (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • PIT – Matt Bahr 46-yard field goal
  • CIN – Dan Ross 7-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Chris Bahr kick)

Second quarter

  • CIN – Pete Johnson 1-yard run (kick failed)
  • CIN – Howard Kurnick 12-yard fumble return (Chris Bahr kick)
  • CIN – Jim LeClair 27-yard fumble return (Chris Bahr kick)

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 21/40, 275 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • CIN – Ken Anderson 9/20, 120 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Rushing

  • PIT – Franco Harris 9 att, 45 yards
  • CIN – Charles Alexander 19 att, 91 yards

Receiving

  • PIT – John Stallworth 6 rec, 126 yards, TD
  • CIN – Archie Griffin 4 rec, 65 yards

Week 8: vs. Denver Broncos

Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 007
Steelers 7 21 01442

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Monday, October 22
  • Game time: 9:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), (Clear) wind 9 mph (14 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 49,699
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play by play), Don Meredith & Howard Cosell (color commentators)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • DEN – Craig Morton 16/31, 261 yards, TD, INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 18/24, 267 yards, 2 TD, INT

Rushing

  • DEN – Jon Keyworth 4 att, 29 yards
  • PIT – Franco Harris 17 att, 121 yards, 2 TD

Receiving

  • DEN – Haven Moses 5 rec, 133 yards, TD
  • PIT – Lynn Swann 2 rec, 76 yards, TD

Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 3 003
Steelers 0 7 7014

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Sunday, October 28
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), (Partly Cloudy) wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 50,199
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play by play), Tom Brookshier (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

Second quarter

Third quarter

Passing

  • DAL – Roger Staubach 11/25, 113 yards
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 11/25, 126 yards

Rushing

  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 19 att, 73 yards
  • PIT – Franco Harris 18 att, 102 yards, 2 TD

Receiving

  • DAL – Drew Pearson 5 rec, 89 yards
  • PIT – John Stallworth 7 rec, 98 yards

Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins

Period 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 7 007
Steelers 7 17 7738

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Sunday, November 4
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), (Sunny) wind 7 mph (11 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 49,462
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (CBS): Curt Gowdy (play by play), Hank Stram (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • PIT – Rick Moser 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

Passing

  • WAS – Joe Theismann 14/31, 147 yards, INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 15/27, 311 yards, 4 TD, INT

Rushing

  • WAS – John Riggins 13 att, 56 yards, TD
  • PIT – Franco Harris 15 att, 62 yards

Receiving

  • WAS – Danny Buggs 3 rec, 37 yards
  • PIT – John Stallworth 6 rec, 126 yards, 2 TD

In that game. Franco Harris became the 5th man to rush for 8,000 career rushing yards, and it was also Chuck Noll's 95th win as a head coach, the same number that Vince Lombardi won during his career.

Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs

Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 10 10 01030
Chiefs 0 0 303

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: Sunday, November 11
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 34 °F (1 °C), wind 15 mph (24 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 70,132
  • Referee: Fred Wyant
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 17/29, 232 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
  • KC – Steve Fuller 9/20, 89 yards, INT

Rushing

  • PIT – Franco Harris 20 att, 68 yards
  • KC – Mike Williams 6 att, 19 yards

Receiving

  • PIT – John Stallworth 4 rec, 88 yards, TD
  • KC – J.T. Smith 3 rec, 47 yards

Week 12: at San Diego Chargers

Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 0 707
Chargers 7 14 7735

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: Sunday, November 18
  • Game time: 4:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), wind 9 mph (14 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 51,910
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • SD – John Jefferson 16-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Mike Wood kick)

Second quarter

  • SD – Bob Klein 6-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Mike Wood kick)
  • SD – Bo Matthews 2-yard run (Mike Wood kick)

Third quarter

  • PIT – Rocky Bleier 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
  • SD – Woodrow Lowe 77-yard interception return (Mike Wood kick)

Fourth quarter

  • SD – Hank Bauer 2-yard run (Mike Wood kick)

Passing

  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 18/36, 153 yards, 5 INT
  • SD – Dan Fouts 11/24, 137 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Rushing

  • PIT – Franco Harris 20 att, 44 yards
  • SD – Mike Thomas 13 att, 53 yards

Receiving

  • PIT – John Stallworth 4 rec, 55 yards
  • SD – John Jefferson 5 rec, 106 yards, TD

Week 13: vs. Cleveland Browns

Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Browns 10 10 73030
Steelers 3 10 017333

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Sunday, November 25
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), (Cloudy) wind 6 mph (9.7 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 48,773
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play by play), Len Dawson (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Overtime

Passing

  • CLE – Brian Sipe 23/38, 333 yards, 3 TD, INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 30/44, 364 yards, TD, INT

Rushing

  • CLE – Brian Sipe 3 att, 30 yards
  • PIT – Franco Harris 32 att, 151 yards, 2 TD

Receiving

  • CLE – Dave Logan 7 rec, 135 yards, TD
  • PIT – Franco Harris 9 rec, 81 yards, TD

Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 10 7017
Steelers 10 14 10337

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Sunday, December 2
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C), (Cloudy) wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 46,251
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Sam Nover (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • CIN – Ken Anderson 20/36, 258 yards, 2 TD
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 17/29, 339 yards, 2 TD, INT

Rushing

  • CIN – Pete Johnson 18 att, 51 yards
  • PIT – Franco Harris 20 att, 92 yards, TD

Receiving

  • CIN – Isaac Curtis 5 rec, 119 yards, 2 TD
  • PIT – Lynn Swann 5 rec, 192 yards, 2 TD

Week 15: at Houston Oilers

Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 0 31417
Oilers 0 7 31020

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Game information

Second quarter

  • HOU – Ken Burrough 25 pass from Dan Pastorini (Toni Fritsch kick)

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 14/29, 137 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • HOU – Dan Pastorini 10/16, 170 yards, TD

Rushing

  • PIT – Franco Harris 12 att, 59 yards
  • HOU – Earl Campbell 33 att, 109 yards

Receiving

  • PIT – Bennie Cunningham 2 rec, 67 yards
  • HOU – Ken Burrough 3 rec, 48 yards, TD

Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills

Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 000
Steelers 7 7 7728

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Sunday, December 16
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), (Cloudy) wind 13 mph (21 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 48,002
  • Referee: Fred Silva
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • BUF – Joe Ferguson 11/31, 103 yards, 2 INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 14/27, 209 yards, TD, 2 INT

Rushing

  • BUF – Mike Collier 16 att, 49 yards
  • PIT – Franco Harris 21 att, 100 yards, 2 TD

Receiving

  • BUF – Jerry Butler 3 rec, 54 yards
  • PIT – Lynn Swann 3 rec, 61 yards, TD

Standings

AFC Central
  • view
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Pittsburgh Steelers(2) 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 416 262 W1
Houston Oilers(4) 11 5 0 .688 4–2 9–3 362 331 L1
Cleveland Browns 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 359 352 L2
Cincinnati Bengals 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 337 421 W1

Stats

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

Kicking

Punting

Kick Return

Punt Return

Defense & Fumbles

Scoring Summary

Team

Quarter-by-quarter

Quarter-by-quarter
1 2 3 4 OT T
Steelers 89 114 62 145 6 416
Opponents 57 104 53 48 0 262

Postseason

Schedule

Round Date Opponent Kickoff TV Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap
Wild Card First Round Bye
Divisional December 30 Miami Dolphins (3) 12:30 p.m. EST NBC W 34–14 1–0 Three Rivers Stadium 50,214 Recap
AFC Championship January 6 Houston Oilers (4) 1:00 p.m. EST NBC W 27–13 2–0 Three Rivers Stadium 50,475 Recap
Super Bowl XIV January 20 Los Angeles Rams (N3) 6:00 p.m. EST CBS W 31–19 3–0 Rose Bowl 103,985 Recap

Notes:

a All times are EASTERN time.

Game summaries

AFC Divisional Playoff: vs. Miami Dolphins

Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 0 7714
Steelers 20 0 7734

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Sunday, December 30
  • Game time: 12:30 pm EST
  • Game weather: 28 °F (−2 °C) (Fog)
  • Game attendance: 50,214
  • Referee: Cal Lepore
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • MIA – Don Strock 8/14, 125 yards, INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 21/31, 230 yards, 2 TD

Rushing

  • MIA – Larry Csonka 10 att, 20 yards, TD
  • PIT – Franco Harris 21 att, 83 yards, TD

Receiving

  • MIA – Nat Moore 5 rec, 93 yards
  • PIT – John Stallworth 6 rec, 86 yards, TD

AFC Championship: vs. Houston Oilers

Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 7 3 0313
Steelers 3 14 01027

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Sunday, January 6
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 27 °F (−3 °C), (Light Freezing Rain) wind 18 mph (29 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 50,475
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentators)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • HOU – Vernon Perry 75-yard interception return (Toni Fritsch kick)
  • PIT – Matt Bahr 21-yard field goal

Second quarter

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • HOU – Dan Pastorini 19/28, 203 yards, INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 18/30, 219 yards, 2 TD, INT

Rushing

  • HOU – Earl Campbell 17 att, 15 yards
  • PIT – Franco Harris 21 att, 85 yards

Receiving

  • HOU – Tim Wilson 7 rec, 60 yards
  • PIT – Lynn Swann 4 rec, 64 yards

Super Bowl XIV: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 7 6 6019
Steelers 3 7 71431

at Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California

  • Date: Sunday, January 20
  • Game time: 6:15 pm EST
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C) (Sunny), wind 17 mph (27 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 103,985
  • Referee: Fred Silva
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play by play), Tom Brookshier (color commentator)
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Passing

  • LA – Vince Ferragamo 15/25, 212 yards, INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 14/21, 309 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT

Rushing

  • LA – Wendell Tyler 17 att, 60 yards
  • PIT – Franco Harris 20 att, 46 yards, 2 TD

Receiving

  • LA – Billy Waddy 3 rec, 75 yards
  • PIT – John Stallworth 3 rec, 121 yards, TD

Statistics

Passing

Player Comp Att Yards TD INT
Terry Bradshaw 259 472 3,724 26 25

Rushing

Player Att Yards TD
Franco Harris 267 1,186 11
Sidney Thornton 118 585 6
Rocky Bleier 92 434 4
Terry Bradshaw 21 83
Lynn Swann 1 9

Receiving

Player Rec Yards TD
John Stallworth 70 1,183 8
Lynn Swann 41 808 5
Bennie Cunningham 36 512 4
Franco Harris 36 291 1
Rocky Bleier 31 277
Sidney Thornton 16 231 4

[5]

Honors and awards

References

  1. ^ 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  2. ^ 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  3. ^ 1980 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  4. ^ "1979 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  5. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com

External links

  • 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Profootballreference.com
  • 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com
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Pittsburgh Steelers seasons
Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates (1933–1939)
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Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XIV champions
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Pittsburgh Steelers
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