1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season

The1979 Pittsburgh Steelers seasonwas the franchise's 47th season in theNational 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 inSuper 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 theLos Angeles Rams31–19 inSuper Bowl XIV.Despite them and theSan Diego Chargershaving 12–4 records, the Chargers were awarded the top seed in the AFC because of their victory over the Steelers.

1979Pittsburgh Steelersseason
Owner	Art Rooney
General manager	Dick Haley
Head coach	Chuck Noll
Home field	Three Rivers Stadium
Results
Record	12–4
Division place	1stAFC Central
Playoff finish	WonDivisional Playoffs (vs.Dolphins) 34–14 WonAFC Championship (vs.Oilers) 27–13 WonSuper Bowl XIV (vs.Rams) 31–19
Pro Bowlers	10 CBMel Blount QBTerry Bradshaw DTJoe Greene DEL. C. Greenwood LBJack Ham RBFranco Harris LBJack Lambert SDonnie Shell WRJohn Stallworth CMike Webster
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 MVP	John Stallworth

With the win, and thePittsburgh Pirateswin in the1979 World Series,Pittsburgh would be the last city to claim Super Bowl and World Series wins in the same year until 1986 when theNew York Metswon theWorld Seriesin 7 games over theBoston Red Sox,and theNew York GiantswonSuper Bowl XXI39–20 over theDenver Broncos.

On February 23, 2007,NFL NetworkairedAmerica's Game: The Super Bowl Champions,the1979Pittsburgh Steelers,with team commentary fromJohn Banaszak,L. C. GreenwoodandJohn Stallworth,and narrated byEd 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 in2014,the all-time franchise record in both categories.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article:1979 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 Head coach –Chuck Noll Assistant head coach –George Perles Offensive coaches Offensive line –Rollie Dotsch Offensive backfield –Dick Hoak Receivers –Tom Moore

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator –Woody Widenhofer Defensive backfield –Dick Walker 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

Roster

1979 Pittsburgh Steelers roster

Quarterbacks(QB) 12Terry Bradshaw 15Mike Kruczek 18Cliff Stoudt Running backs(RB) 33Anthony AndersonKR 20Rocky Bleier 32Franco Harris 27Greg Hawthorne 39Rick Moser 38Sidney Thornton Wide receivers(WR) 83Theo BellPR 86Jim Smith 82John Stallworth 88Lynn Swann Tight ends(TE) 89Bennie Cunningham 84Randy Grossman

Offensive linemen(OL) 79Larry BrownT 77Steve CoursonG 57Sam DavisG 63Thom DornbrookC/G 55Jon KolbT 72Gerry MullinsG/T 66Ted Petersen 52Mike WebsterC Defensive linemen(DL) 76John BanaszakDE 65Tom BeasleyDT 67Gary DunnDT 64Steve FurnessDT 75Joe GreeneDT 68L. C. GreenwoodDE 78Dwight WhiteDE

Linebackers(LB) 56Robin ColeOLB 50Tom GravesOLB 59Jack HamOLB 58Jack LambertMLB 51Loren ToewsOLB 54Zack ValentineOLB 53Dennis WinstonMLB Defensive backs(DB) 30Larry Anderson 47Mel BlountCB 29Ron JohnsonCB 31Donnie ShellSS 24J. T. ThomasFS 23Mike WagnerFS 49Dwayne WoodruffDB Special teams 63Thom Dornbrook 52Mike Webster 9Matt BahrK 5Craig Colquitt

Practice squad Reserve 69Fred AndersonDE(IR) 45Russell DavisRB(IR) 26Larry DouglasWR(IR) 62Willie FryDE/DT(IR) 74Ray PinneyT(IR) 85Calvin SweeneyWR(PUP) Rookies in italics 46 active, 6 reserve, 0 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Kickoff	TV	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	NFL.com recap
1	August 4	atBuffalo Bills	6:00 p.m.EDT	WIIC	W15–7	1–0	Rich Stadium	34,370
2	August 11	New York Giants	6:00 p.m.EDT	WIIC	W10–3	2–0	Three Rivers Stadium	46,624
3	August 17	atNew York Jets	8:00 p.m.EDT	WIIC	W27–14	3–0	Giants Stadium	46,159
4	August 25	atDallas Cowboys	9:00 p.m.EDT	NBC	L14–16	3–1	Texas Stadium	64.543

Notes:

^aAll times areEASTERNtime.

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Kickoff	TV	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 3	atNew England Patriots	9:00 p.m.EDT	ABC	W16–13(OT)	1–0	Schaefer Stadium	60,978	Recap
2	September 9	Houston Oilers	1:00 p.m.EDT	NBC	W38–7	2–0	Three Rivers Stadium	49,792	Recap
3	September 16	atSt. Louis Cardinals	4:00 p.m.EDT	NBC	W24–21	3–0	Busch Memorial Stadium	50,416	Recap
4	September 23	Baltimore Colts	1:00 p.m.EDT	NBC	W17–13	4–0	Three Rivers Stadium	49,483	Recap
5	September 30	atPhiladelphia Eagles	1:00 p.m.EDT	NBC	L14–17	4–1	Veterans Stadium	70,352	Recap
6	October 7	atCleveland Browns	4:00 p.m.EDT	NBC	W51–35	5–1	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	81,260	Recap
7	October 14	atCincinnati Bengals	1:00 p.m.EDT	NBC	L10–34	5–2	Riverfront Stadium	52,381	Recap
8	October 22	Denver Broncos	9:00 p.m.EDT	ABC	W42–7	6–2	Three Rivers Stadium	49,699	Recap
9	October 28	Dallas Cowboys	1:00 p.m.EST	CBS	W14–3	7–2	Three Rivers Stadium	50,199	Recap
10	November 4	Washington Redskins	1:00 p.m.EST	CBS	W38–7	8–2	Three Rivers Stadium	49,462	Recap
11	November 11	atKansas City Chiefs	1:00 p.m.EST	NBC	W30–3	9–2	Arrowhead Stadium	70,132	Recap
12	November 18	atSan Diego Chargers	4:00 p.m.EST	NBC	L7–35	9–3	San Diego Stadium	52,426	Recap
13	November 25	Cleveland Browns	1:00 p.m.EST	NBC	W33–30(OT)	10–3	Three Rivers Stadium	48,773	Recap
14	December 2	Cincinnati Bengals	1:00 p.m.EST	NBC	W37–17	11–3	Three Rivers Stadium	46,521	Recap
15	December 10	atHouston Oilers	9:00 p.m.EST	ABC	L17–20	11–4	Astrodome	55,293	Recap
16	December 16	Buffalo Bills	1:00 p.m.EST	NBC	W28–0	12–4	Three Rivers Stadium	48,002	Recap

Note:Intra-division opponents are inboldtext.

Notes:

^aAll times areEASTERNtime. (UTC–4 and UTC–5 starting October 28)

Game summaries

Week 1: atNew England Patriots

See also:1979 New England Patriots season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Steelers	0	6	0	7	3	16
Patriots	7	6	0	0	0	13

atSchaefer 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

See also:1979 Houston Oilers season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	0	0	7	7
Steelers	7	3	14	14	38

atThree 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

See also:1979 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	0	0	17	24
Cardinals	9	6	6	0	21

atBusch 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 STL –Ottis Anderson12-yard run (kick failed) STL – Steve Little 22-yard field goal PIT –John Stallworth18 pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) 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 PIT –Rocky Bleier4-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Bennie Cunningham5-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Matt Bahr20-yard field goal 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

See also:1979 Baltimore Colts season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	10	0	3	0	13
Steelers	7	3	0	7	17

atThree 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 Stallworth47-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) BAL – Roger Carr 36-yard pass from Greg Landry (Steve Mike-Mayer kick) Second quarter PIT –Matt Bahr25-yard field goal Third quarter BAL – Steve Mike-Mayer 24-yard field goal Fourth quarter PIT –Bennie Cunningham28-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) 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

See also:1979 Philadelphia Eagles season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	7	0	7	14
Eagles	0	7	10	0	17

atVeterans 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 PIT –Sidney Thornton7-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) PHI – Leroy Harris 1-yard run (Tony Franklin kick) Third quarter PHI – Tony Franklin 48-yard field goal PHI – Wilbert Montgomery 1-yard run (Tony Franklin kick) Fourth quarter PIT –John Stallworth37-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) 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

See also:1979 Cleveland Browns season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	21	9	7	14	51
Browns	0	14	7	14	35

atCleveland 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 PIT –Bennie Cunningham7-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Sidney Thornton10-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Franco Harris71-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) Second quarter PIT – Jim Smith 14-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(kick failed) CLE – Reggie Rucker 32-yard pass fromBrian Sipe(Don Cockroftkick) CLE –Ozzie Newsome18-yard pass fromBrian Sipe(Don Cockroftkick) PIT –Matt Bahr42-yard field goal Third quarter PIT –Franco Harris25-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) CLE – Calvin Hill 14-yard pass fromBrian Sipe(Don Cockroftkick) Fourth quarter PIT –Rocky Bleier70-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) CLE – Dave Logan 30-yard pass fromBrian Sipe(Don Cockroftkick) CLE – Dave Logan 13-yard pass fromBrian Sipe(Don Cockroftkick) PIT –Sidney Thornton1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) 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

See also:1979 Cincinnati Bengals season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	3	0	0	7	10
Bengals	7	20	0	7	34

atRiverfront 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 Bahr46-yard field goal CIN – Dan Ross 7-yard pass fromKen Anderson(Chris Bahrkick) Second quarter CIN – Pete Johnson 1-yard run (kick failed) CIN – Howard Kurnick 12-yard fumble return (Chris Bahrkick) CIN – Jim LeClair 27-yard fumble return (Chris Bahrkick) Fourth quarter CIN – Rick Walker 14-yard pass fromKen Anderson(Chris Bahrkick) PIT –John Stallworth33-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) 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

See also:1979 Denver Broncos season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	7	0	0	0	7
Steelers	7	21	0	14	42

atThree 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 PIT –Lynn Swann11-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) DEN – Haven Moses 64-yard pass fromCraig Morton(Jim Turner kick) Second quarter PIT –Franco Harris2-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Franco Harris4-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Sidney Thornton1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) Fourth quarter PIT –Sidney Thornton17-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) PIT – Anthony Anderson 10-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) 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

See also:1979 Dallas Cowboys season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	0	3	0	0	3
Steelers	0	7	7	0	14

atThree 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 PIT –Franco Harris1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) DAL –Rafael Septién32-yard field goal Third quarter PIT –Franco Harris48-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) 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

See also:1979 Washington Redskins season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	0	7	0	0	7
Steelers	7	17	7	7	38

atThree 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 PIT –John Stallworth11-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) Second quarter WAS –John Riggins4-yard run (Mark Moseleykick) PIT –Matt Bahr21-yard field goal PIT –Bennie Cunningham16-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Randy Grossman4-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) Third quarter PIT –John Stallworth65-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) Fourth quarter PIT – Rick Moser 2-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) 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 thatVince Lombardiwon during his career.

Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs

See also:1979 Kansas City Chiefs season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	10	10	0	10	30
Chiefs	0	0	3	0	3

atArrowhead 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 PIT –John Stallworth26-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Matt Bahr31-yard field goal Second quarter PIT –Lynn Swann16-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Matt Bahr20-yard field goal Third quarter KC –Jan Stenerud42-yard field goal Fourth quarter PIT –Matt Bahr37-yard field goal PIT – Larry Brown 1-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) 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

See also:1979 San Diego Chargers season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	0	7	0	7
Chargers	7	14	7	7	35

atSan 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 Bleier2-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) 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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Browns	10	10	7	3	0	30
Steelers	3	10	0	17	3	33

atThree 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 CLE –Ozzie Newsome21-yard pass fromBrian Sipe(Don Cockroftkick) CLE –Don Cockroft20-yard field goal PIT –Matt Bahr45-yard field goal Second quarter CLE –Don Cockroft32-yard field goal PIT –Matt Bahr34-yard field goal CLE – Dave Logan 16-yard pass fromBrian Sipe(Don Cockroftkick) PIT –Franco Harris2-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) Third quarter CLE – Calvin Hill 3-yard pass fromBrian Sipe(Don Cockroftkick) Fourth quarter PIT –Franco Harris1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) CLE –Don Cockroft40-yard field goal PIT –Franco Harris1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Matt Bahr21-yard field goal Overtime PIT –Matt Bahr37-yard field goal 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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	10	7	0	17
Steelers	10	14	10	3	37

atThree 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 PIT –Matt Bahr43-yard field goal PIT –Lynn Swann58-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) Second quarter PIT –Franco Harris1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) CIN –Chris Bahr46-yard field goal PIT –Rocky Bleier1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) CIN – Isaac Curtis 29-yard pass fromKen Anderson(Chris Bahrkick) Third quarter CIN – Isaac Curtis 32-yard pass fromKen Anderson(Chris Bahrkick) PIT –Lynn Swann42-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Matt Bahr23-yard field goal Fourth quarter PIT –Matt Bahr32-yard field goal 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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	0	3	14	17
Oilers	0	7	3	10	20

atAstrodome,Houston, Texas

• Date:Monday, December 10
• Game time:9:00 pm EST
• Game weather:Dome
• Game attendance:55,923
• Referee:Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (ABC):Frank Gifford(play by play),Fran Tarkenton&Howard Cosell(color commentators)
• Box Score

Game information

Second quarter HOU – Ken Burrough 25 pass from Dan Pastorini (Toni Fritschkick) Third quarter PIT –Matt Bahr37-yard field goal HOU –Toni Fritsch24-yard field goal Fourth quarter HOU –Toni Fritsch34-yard field goal PIT –Lynn Swann9-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) HOU – Rob Carpenter 4-yard run (Toni Fritschkick) PIT –John Stallworth34-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) 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

See also:1979 Buffalo Bills season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	0	0	0	0
Steelers	7	7	7	7	28

atThree 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 PIT –Lynn Swann20-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) Second quarter PIT –Franco Harris1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) Third quarter PIT –Sidney Thornton8-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) Fourth quarter PIT –Franco Harris11-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) 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
	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	W34–14	1–0	Three Rivers Stadium	50,214	Recap
AFC Championship	January 6	Houston Oilers(4)	1:00 p.m.EST	NBC	W27–13	2–0	Three Rivers Stadium	50,475	Recap
Super Bowl XIV	January 20	Los Angeles Rams(N3)	6:00 p.m.EST	CBS	W31–19	3–0	Rose Bowl	103,985	Recap

Notes:

^aAll times areEASTERNtime.

Game summaries

AFC Divisional Playoff: vs. Miami Dolphins

See also:1979 Miami Dolphins season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	0	0	7	7	14
Steelers	20	0	7	7	34

atThree 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 PIT –Sidney Thornton1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) PIT –John Stallworth17-yard pass fromBradshaw(kick blocked) PIT –Lynn Swann20-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) Third quarter MIA – Duriel Harris 7-yard pass fromBob Griese(Uwe von Schamann kick) PIT –Rocky Bleier1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) Fourth quarter PIT –Franco Harris5-yard run (Bahrkick) MIA –Larry Csonka1-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick) 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

See also:1979 Houston Oilers season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	7	3	0	3	13
Steelers	3	14	0	10	27

atThree 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 Fritschkick) PIT –Matt Bahr21-yard field goal Second quarter HOU –Toni Fritsch21-yard field goal PIT –Bennie Cunningham16-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) PIT –John Stallworth20-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) Fourth quarter HOU –Toni Fritsch23-yard field goal PIT –Matt Bahr39-yard field goal PIT –Rocky Bleier4-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) 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

Main article:Super Bowl XIV

See also:1979 Los Angeles Rams season

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	7	6	6	0	19
Steelers	3	7	7	14	31

atRose 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 PIT –Matt Bahr41-yard field goal LA – Cullen Bryant 1-yard run (Frank Corralkick) Second quarter PIT –Franco Harris1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) LA –Frank Corral31-yard field goal LA –Frank Corral45-yard field goal Third quarter PIT –Lynn Swann47-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) LA – Ron Smith 24-yard pass from Lawrence McCutcheon (kick failed) Fourth quarter PIT –John Stallworth73-yard pass fromTerry Bradshaw(Matt Bahrkick) PIT –Franco Harris1-yard run (Matt Bahrkick) 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

Honors and awards

• Terry Bradshaw,Super Bowl MVP

External links

• 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers seasonat Profootballreference.com
• 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers seasonstatistics at jt-sw.com