NFL team season
The 1984 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 52nd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
Most of the stars from the 1970s had departed, but the Steelers showed signs of their past glory by amassing a 9–7 record to capture the AFC Central Title again. The highlight of the season was an October 14 win over the 49ers in San Francisco. It was the only loss the 49ers suffered all season. Also serving up highlights that season was WR Louis Lipps, who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year. In the playoffs, the Steelers stunned the Broncos 24–17 in Denver to earn a trip to the AFC Championship. However, the Steelers' season would end with a 45–28 thrashing at the hands of the Dolphins in Miami. This season was the last time the Steelers appeared in a playoff game until 1989, marking the end of the powerhouse Steel Curtain defense.
Personnel
Staff
1984 Pittsburgh Steelers staff
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Front office
- Chairman of the board – Arthur J. Rooney
- President – Daniel M. Rooney
- Vice president – John R. McGinley
- Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
- Controller – Dennis P. Thimons
- Assistant controller – Dan Ferens
- Traveling secretary – James A. Boston
- Publicity director – Joe Gordon
- Assistant publicity director – John Evenson
- Director of ticket sales – Geraldine Glenn
- Assistant director of ticket sales – Jim Ellenberger
- Director of player personnel – Dick Haley
- Assistant director of player personnel – William Nunn, Jr.
- Pro talent scout – Tom Modrak
- Talent scout – West Coast – Bob Schmitz
- College talent scout – Joe Krupa
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
- Offensive coordinator – Tom Moore
- Offensive backfield – Dick Hoak
- Offensive Line: Tackles/Tight Ends – Ron Blackledge
- Offensive Line: Centers/Guards – Bill Meyers
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Defensive coaches
Strength and conditioning
- Conditioning coach – Jon Kolb
- Assistant conditioning coach – Walt Evans
- Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber
- Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates
- Physician, orthopedic – Dr. Paul Steele
- Neurological surgery consultant – Dr. Joseph C. Maroon
- Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek
- Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli
- Trainer – Ralph Berlin
- Assistant trainer – Gary Stragar
- Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi
- Field manager – Rodgers Freyvogel
- Film director – Bob McCartney
- Photographers – Harry Homa, Bill Amatucci
[1]
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Roster
1984 would prove to be somewhat of a transition year for the Steelers, as it would mark the final season of several key members of their 1970s dynasty—most notably Jack Lambert (who missed several games during the season due to a recurring turf toe injury), but also Larry Brown and Craig Colquitt—as well as the retirement of Mel Blount in mid-March and the unexpected[2] retirement of Terry Bradshaw in late July.
Additionally, Cliff Stoudt, the starting quarterback in 1983 while Bradshaw was injured, departed for the United States Football League, leaving the Steelers thin at the position after Bradshaw's retirement on the eve of training camp. The team would trade for former Miami Dolphins starter David Woodley, who had been supplanted on his former team by Oakland native and former Pitt quarterback Dan Marino. The Steelers infamously passed over Marino in the first round of the previous year's draft in favor of Gabriel Rivera, who by 1984 was already out of football; he suffered a spinal cord injury in a drunk driving crash that permanently left him a quadriplegic. Woodley would split time with Mark Malone under center.
In addition to Bradshaw, 1984 would also mark another unexpected departure: Franco Harris. Unlike Bradshaw, this would be due to a pay dispute. As Harris was closing in on Jim Brown's rushing record alongside Chicago's Walter Payton, Harris felt that he deserved a pay raise. The Rooney family, feeling that Harris was near the end of his career, felt otherwise, and it led to Harris's release during training camp. Harris would sign with the Seattle Seahawks and play eight games for that team before retiring 192 yards short of Brown's record, which would be surpassed by Payton that season.
On a positive note, 1984 would mark the first year of wide receiver Louis Lipps, who would set many team records during his career and would retire in second place on the Steelers all-time receiving list behind teammate John Stallworth; Lipps is currently fourth behind Hines Ward, Stallworth and Antonio Brown.
1984 Pittsburgh Steelers final roster
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
- 68 Russ Graham T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
- 84 Chris Kolodziejski TE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
- 66 Kirk McJunkin G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
Practice squad
[1]
[3]
[4]
Rookies in italics
57 active, 3 inactive
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Offseason
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adding to it. (December 2012)
Regular season
Schedule
| Week
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Date
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Opponent
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Location
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Kickoff (ET)
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TV
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Result
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Record
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| 1
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Sunday, September 2
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Kansas City Chiefs
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Three Rivers Stadium
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1:00 p.m.
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NBC
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L 37–27
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0–1
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| 2
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Thursday, September 6
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at New York Jets
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Giants Stadium
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9:00 p.m.
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ABC
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W 23–17
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1–1
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| 3
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Sunday, September 16
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Los Angeles Rams
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Three Rivers Stadium
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1:00 p.m.
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CBS
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W 24–14
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2–1
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| 4
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Sunday, September 23
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at Cleveland Browns
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Cleveland Municipal Stadium
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1:00 p.m.
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NBC
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L 20–10
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2–2
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| 5
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Monday, October 1
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Cincinnati Bengals
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Three Rivers Stadium
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9:00 p.m.
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ABC
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W 38–17
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3–2
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| 6
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Sunday, October 7
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Miami Dolphins
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Three Rivers Stadium
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1:00 p.m.
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NBC
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L 31–7
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3–3
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| 7
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Sunday, October 14
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at San Francisco 49ers
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Candlestick Park
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4:00 p.m.
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NBC
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W 20–17
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4–3
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| 8
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Sunday, October 21
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at Indianapolis Colts
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Hoosier Dome
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1:00 p.m.
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NBC
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L 17–16
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4–4
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| 9
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Sunday, October 28
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Atlanta Falcons
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Three Rivers Stadium
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1:00 p.m.
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CBS
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W 35–10
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5–4
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| 10
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Sunday, November 4
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Houston Oilers
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Three Rivers Stadium
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1:00 p.m.
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NBC
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W 35–7
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6–4
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| 11
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Sunday, November 11
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at Cincinnati Bengals
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Riverfront Stadium
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1:00 p.m.
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NBC
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L 22–20
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6–5
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| 12
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Monday, November 19
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at New Orleans Saints
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Louisiana Superdome
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9:00 p.m.
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ABC
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L 27–24
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6–6
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| 13
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Sunday, November 25
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San Diego Chargers
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Three Rivers Stadium
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1:00 p.m.
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NBC
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W 52–24
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7–6
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| 14
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Sunday, December 2
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at Houston Oilers
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Astrodome
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1:00 p.m.
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NBC
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L 23–20 (OT)
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7–7
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| 15
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Sunday, December 9
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Cleveland Browns
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Three Rivers Stadium
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1:00 p.m.
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NBC
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W 23–20
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8–7
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| 16
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Sunday, December 16
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at Los Angeles Raiders
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Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
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4:00 p.m.
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NBC
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W 13–7
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9–7
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Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Mark Malone and David Woodley combined for 419 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, while the Chiefs won despite putting up just 264 yards of total offense.
Week 2: at New York Jets
After coughing up four turnovers to the Chiefs, the Steelers picked off Pat Ryan three times and forced a fumble; they also bullied the Jets into eleven penalties for 115 yards.
Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Steelers limited Eric Dickerson to 49 rushing yards and forced two Rams fumbles.
Week 4: at Cleveland Browns
Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins
[11]
Week 7: Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers
| Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers (4–3) |
7 |
3 |
0 | 10 | 20 |
| 49ers (6–1) |
0 |
7 |
0 | 10 | 17 |
at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California
- Date: October 14, 1984
- Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
- Game attendance: 59,110
- Referee: Pat Haggerty
- TV announcers (NBC Game only aired in the Pittsburgh markets due to NBC airing Game 5 of the World Series): Jay Randolph (play by play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
- [12]
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
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| PIT
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Passing |
Mark Malone |
11/18, 156 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
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| Rushing |
Rich Erenberg |
11 CAR, 44 YDS, 1 TD
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| Receiving |
John Stallworth |
6 REC, 78 YDS, 1 TD
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| SF
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Passing |
Joe Montana |
24/34, 241 YDS, 1 INT
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| Rushing |
Wendell Tyler |
11 CAR, 59 YDS, 1 TD
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| Receiving |
Roger Craig |
7 REC, 43 YDS
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- Point spread: 49ers by 8
- Over/Under: 42.0 (under)
- Time of Game:
| Steelers
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Game Statistics
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49ers
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| 23
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First downs
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22
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| 47–175
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Rushes–yards
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20–117
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| 156
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Passing yards
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241
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| 11–18–1
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Passes
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24–35–1
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| 1–7
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Sacked–yards
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0–0
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| 149
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Net passing yards
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241
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| 324
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Total yards
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358
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| 106
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Return yards
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131
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| 2–41.0
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Punts
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3–30.7
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| 1–0
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Fumbles–lost
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1–0
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| 11–68
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Penalties–yards
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8–57
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| 34:45
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Time of Possession
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25:15
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This game was not on many NBC stations, since game 5 of the World Series was being broadcast at the same time. However, that game would prove the last Sunday afternoon World Series game. This was the solitary game the eventual Super Bowl champion 49ers lost during the 1984 season.
Week 8: at Indianapolis Colts
This game was particularly frustrating to Steeler fans. One week previously, the Steelers beat the 49ers in San Francisco – becoming the solitary team to achieve this as the 49ers finished 15-1 on the way to winning the Super Bowl. Then coming back east to play one of the worst teams of the season, the Indianapolis Colts – who had only two wins at that point and were to win just four games for the season – they lost on a last minute improbable play after leading throughout the game. The Colts’ third-string quarterback, Mike Pagel, came off the bench in the third quarter and was leading a final minute drive from their 20. On the Colts 40 with 34 seconds left, Pagel avoided a near sack, scrambled right and threw down the middle of the field to WR Bernard Henry. The ball however went directly to the hands of Steeler CB Sam Washington who bobbled the ball. Between Washington and a few other Steeler defenders, WR Ray Butler burst through the gap, snatched the ball in the air and ran untouched 54 yards for the touchdown. The extra point sealed the game.[14]
And that’s why they play the game.
Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 10 vs. Houston Oilers
The Steelers limited Warren Moon and Oliver Luck to 224 yards; the Oilers fumbled four times.
Week 11: at Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
| Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers |
0 |
13 |
0 | 7 | 20 |
| Bengals |
3 |
0 |
12 | 7 | 22 |
at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Date: November 11, 1984
- Game time: 1:00 pm EST
- Game weather: 43 °F (6.1 °C), wind 17 miles per hour (27 km/h; 15 kn)
- Game attendance: 52,497
- Referee: Ben Dreith
- TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play by play), Bob Griese (color commentator)
- [17]
Week 12: at New Orleans Saints
The Saints won their first Monday Night game in seven tries, and also avenged a 1974 Monday Night loss to the Steelers at Tulane Stadium. It was Pittsburgh's first loss to New Orleans since 1969 in what was the Steelers’ final game in the NFL before moving to the AFC as part of the AFL-NFL merger.
Former Steelers linebacker Dennis Winston played for the Saints in this game. It was also a homecoming for Lipps, who played at nearby East St. John High School.
Week 13: vs. San Diego Chargers
| Scoring summary
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| Quarter
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Time
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Drive
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Team
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Scoring information
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Score
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| Plays
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Yards
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TOP
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Chargers
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Steelers
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| 1
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Steelers
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55-yard field goal by Gary Anderson
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0
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3
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| 2
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Steelers
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Louis Lipps 15-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good
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0
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10
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| 2
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Steelers
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Frank Pollard 2-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good
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0
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17
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| 2
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Chargers
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29-yard field goal by Rolf Benirschke
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3
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17
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| 2
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Steelers
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John Stallworth 30-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good
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3
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24
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| 2
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Chargers
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Lionel James 59 yard punt return for touchdown
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10
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24
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| 3
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Chargers
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Wes Chandler 63-yard touchdown reception from Ed Luther, Rolf Benirschke kick good
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17
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24
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| 3
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Steelers
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Frank Pollard 2-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good
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17
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31
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| 3
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Steelers
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John Stallworth 5-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good
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17
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38
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| 3
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Steelers
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John Stallworth 45-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good
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17
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45
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| 4
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Steelers
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Mark Malone 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good
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17
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52
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| 4
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Chargers
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Charlie Joiner 25-yard touchdown reception from Ed Luther, Rolf Benirschke kick good
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24
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52
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| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
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24
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52
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Week 14: at Houston Oilers
| Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Steelers |
3 |
0 |
10 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
| Oilers |
3 |
10 |
0 | 7 | 3 | 23 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
- Date: December 2, 1984
- Game time: 1:00 pm EST
- Game weather: Dome
- Game attendance: 39,786
- Referee: Gene Barth
- TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
- [19]
The Steelers tied the game in the fourth yet fell in overtime, all despite intercepting Warren Moon three times.
Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 16: at Los Angeles Raiders
Standings
Playoffs
AFC Divisional Playoff: at Denver Broncos
1984 AFC Divisional Playoff
| Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers |
0 |
10 |
7 | 7 | 24 |
| Broncos |
7 |
0 |
10 | 0 | 17 |
at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
- Date: December 30, 1984
- Game time: 4:00 pm EST
- Game weather: 33 °F (0.6 °C), wind 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h; 5.2 kn), wind chills 28 °F or −2.2 °C
- Game attendance: 74,981
- Referee: Fred Wyant
- TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
- [21]
The Steelers sacked John Elway four times and picked him off twice.
AFC Championship game: at Miami Dolphins
1984 AFC Championship game
| Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers |
7 |
7 |
7 | 7 | 28 |
| Dolphins |
7 |
17 |
14 | 7 | 45 |
at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
- Date: January 6, 1985
- Game time: 12:30 PM
- Game weather: 58 °F (14.4 °C), wind 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn)
- Game attendance: 76,029
- Referee: Jerry Markbreit
- TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
| Scoring summary
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| Quarter
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Time
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Drive
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Team
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Scoring information
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Score
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| Plays
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Yards
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TOP
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Steelers
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Dolphins
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| 1
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Dolphins
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Mark Clayton 40-yard touchdown reception from Dan Marino, Uwe von Schamann kick good
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0
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7
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| 1
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Steelers
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Rich Erenberg 7-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good
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7
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7
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| 2
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Dolphins
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26-yard field goal by Uwe von Schamann
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7
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10
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| 2
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Steelers
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John Stallworth 65-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good
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14
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10
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| 2
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Dolphins
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Mark Duper 41-yard touchdown reception from Dan Marino, Uwe von Schamann kick good
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14
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17
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| 2
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Dolphins
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Tony Nathan 2-yard touchdown run, Uwe von Schamann kick good
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14
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24
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| 3
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Dolphins
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Mark Duper 36-yard touchdown reception from Dan Marino, Uwe von Schamann kick good
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14
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31
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| 3
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Steelers
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John Stallworth 19-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good
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21
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31
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| 3
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Dolphins
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Woody Bennett 1-yard touchdown run, Uwe von Schamann kick good
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21
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38
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| 4
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Dolphins
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Nat Moore 6-yard touchdown reception from Dan Marino, Uwe von Schamann kick good
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21
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45
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| 4
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Steelers
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Wayne Capers 29-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good
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28
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45
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| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
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28
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45
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Dan Marino threw four touchdowns and over 400 yards, outdueling Mark Malone’s 312 yards and three scores; Miami picked off Malone three times.
