1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season

1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season
1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Owner	Art Rooney
General manager	Dick Haley
Head coach	Chuck Noll
Home field	Three Rivers Stadium
Results
Record	12–4
Division place	1st AFC Central
Playoff finish	Won 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 MVP	John Stallworth
	← 1978; Steelers seasons; 1980 →;

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

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1979 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
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 ^[1]

Roster

**1979 Pittsburgh Steelers roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 12 Terry Bradshaw 15 Mike Kruczek 18 Cliff Stoudt Running backs (RB) 33 Anthony Anderson KR 20 Rocky Bleier 32 Franco Harris 27 Greg Hawthorne 39 Rick Moser 38 Sidney Thornton Wide receivers (WR) 83 Theo Bell PR 86 Jim Smith 82 John Stallworth 88 Lynn Swann Tight ends (TE) 89 Bennie Cunningham 84 Randy Grossman		Offensive linemen (OL) 79 Larry Brown T 77 Steve Courson G 57 Sam Davis G 63 Thom Dornbrook C/G 55 Jon Kolb T 72 Gerry Mullins G/T 66 Ted Petersen 52 Mike Webster C Defensive linemen (DL) 76 John Banaszak DE 65 Tom Beasley DT 67 Gary Dunn DT 64 Steve Furness DT 75 Joe Greene DT 68 L. C. Greenwood DE 78 Dwight White DE		Linebackers (LB) 56 Robin Cole OLB 50 Tom Graves OLB 59 Jack Ham OLB 58 Jack Lambert MLB 51 Loren Toews OLB 54 Zack Valentine OLB 53 Dennis Winston MLB Defensive backs (DB) 30 Larry Anderson 47 Mel Blount CB 29 Ron Johnson CB 31 Donnie Shell SS 24 J. T. Thomas FS 23 Mike Wagner FS 49 Dwayne Woodruff DB Special teams 63 Thom Dornbrook 52 Mike Webster 9 Matt Bahr K 5 Craig Colquitt				Practice squad ^[2] ^[3] ^[4] Reserve 69 Fred Anderson DE (IR) 45 Russell Davis RB (IR) 26 Larry Douglas WR (IR) 62 Willie Fry DE/DT (IR) 74 Ray Pinney T (IR) 85 Calvin Sweeney WR (PUP) Rookies in italics 46 active, 6 reserve, 0 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Kickoff	TV	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

STL – Ottis Anderson 12-yard run (kick failed)
STL – Steve Little 22-yard field goal
PIT – John Stallworth 18 pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

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 Bleier 4-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Bennie Cunningham 5-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Matt Bahr 20-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

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

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

PIT – Matt Bahr 25-yard field goal

Third quarter

BAL – Steve Mike-Mayer 24-yard field goal

Fourth quarter

PIT – Bennie Cunningham 28-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

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

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

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

PIT – Sidney Thornton 7-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
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 Stallworth 37-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

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

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

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

PIT – Bennie Cunningham 7-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Sidney Thornton 10-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Franco Harris 71-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

Second quarter

PIT – Jim Smith 14-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (kick failed)
CLE – Reggie Rucker 32-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick)
CLE – Ozzie Newsome 18-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick)
PIT – Matt Bahr 42-yard field goal

Third quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 25-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
CLE – Calvin Hill 14-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick)

Fourth quarter

PIT – Rocky Bleier 70-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
CLE – Dave Logan 30-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick)
CLE – Dave Logan 13-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick)
PIT – Sidney Thornton 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

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

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

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

CIN – Rick Walker 14-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Chris Bahr kick)
PIT – John Stallworth 33-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

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

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

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

PIT – Lynn Swann 11-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
DEN – Haven Moses 64-yard pass from Craig Morton (Jim Turner kick)

Second quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Franco Harris 4-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Sidney Thornton 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

Fourth quarter

PIT – Sidney Thornton 17-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Anthony Anderson 10-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

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

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

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

PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
DAL – Rafael Septién 32-yard field goal

Third quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 48-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

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

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

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

PIT – John Stallworth 11-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

Second quarter

WAS – John Riggins 4-yard run (Mark Moseley kick)
PIT – Matt Bahr 21-yard field goal
PIT – Bennie Cunningham 16-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Randy Grossman 4-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

Third quarter

PIT – John Stallworth 65-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

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

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

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

PIT – John Stallworth 26-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Matt Bahr 31-yard field goal

Second quarter

PIT – Lynn Swann 16-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Matt Bahr 20-yard field goal

Third quarter

KC – Jan Stenerud 42-yard field goal

Fourth quarter

PIT – Matt Bahr 37-yard field goal
PIT – Larry Brown 1-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

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

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

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

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

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

CLE – Ozzie Newsome 21-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick)
CLE – Don Cockroft 20-yard field goal
PIT – Matt Bahr 45-yard field goal

Second quarter

CLE – Don Cockroft 32-yard field goal
PIT – Matt Bahr 34-yard field goal
CLE – Dave Logan 16-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick)
PIT – Franco Harris 2-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

Third quarter

CLE – Calvin Hill 3-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick)

Fourth quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
CLE – Don Cockroft 40-yard field goal
PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Matt Bahr 21-yard field goal

Overtime

PIT – Matt Bahr 37-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

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

PIT – Matt Bahr 43-yard field goal
PIT – Lynn Swann 58-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

Second quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
CIN – Chris Bahr 46-yard field goal
PIT – Rocky Bleier 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
CIN – Isaac Curtis 29-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Chris Bahr kick)

Third quarter

CIN – Isaac Curtis 32-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Chris Bahr kick)
PIT – Lynn Swann 42-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Matt Bahr 23-yard field goal

Fourth quarter

PIT – Matt Bahr 32-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

at Astrodome, 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 Fritsch kick)

Third quarter

PIT – Matt Bahr 37-yard field goal
HOU – Toni Fritsch 24-yard field goal

Fourth quarter

HOU – Toni Fritsch 34-yard field goal
PIT – Lynn Swann 9-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
HOU – Rob Carpenter 4-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick)
PIT – John Stallworth 34-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

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

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

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

PIT – Lynn Swann 20-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

Second quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

Third quarter

PIT – Sidney Thornton 8-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

Fourth quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 11-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

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 talk edit	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

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

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

PIT – Sidney Thornton 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – John Stallworth 17-yard pass from Bradshaw (kick blocked)
PIT – Lynn Swann 20-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

Third quarter

MIA – Duriel Harris 7-yard pass from Bob Griese (Uwe von Schamann kick)
PIT – Rocky Bleier 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

Fourth quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 5-yard run (Bahr kick)
MIA – Larry Csonka 1-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

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

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

HOU – Toni Fritsch 21-yard field goal
PIT – Bennie Cunningham 16-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – John Stallworth 20-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)

Fourth quarter

HOU – Toni Fritsch 23-yard field goal
PIT – Matt Bahr 39-yard field goal
PIT – Rocky Bleier 4-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

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

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

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

PIT – Matt Bahr 41-yard field goal
LA – Cullen Bryant 1-yard run (Frank Corral kick)

Second quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)
LA – Frank Corral 31-yard field goal
LA – Frank Corral 45-yard field goal

Third quarter

PIT – Lynn Swann 47-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
LA – Ron Smith 24-yard pass from Lawrence McCutcheon (kick failed)

Fourth quarter

PIT – John Stallworth 73-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick)
PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

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

Terry Bradshaw, Super Bowl MVP

References

^ 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ 1980 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ "1979 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com

External links

1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Profootballreference.com
1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com

[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.

[PFR-5] Pro-Football-Reference.com

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

v t e Pittsburgh Steelers seasons
Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates (1933–1939)
1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Bold indicates Super Bowl victory Italics indicates Super Bowl appearance

v t e Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XIV champions
5 Craig Colquitt 9 Matt Bahr 12 Terry Bradshaw (MVP) 15 Mike Kruczek 20 Rocky Bleier 23 Mike Wagner 24 J. T. Thomas 27 Greg Hawthorne 29 Ron Johnson 30 Larry Anderson 31 Donnie Shell 32 Franco Harris 33 Anthony Anderson 35 Jack Deloplaine 38 Sidney Thornton 39 Rick Moser 45 Russell Davis 47 Mel Blount 49 Dwayne Woodruff 50 Tom Graves 51 Loren Toews 52 Mike Webster 53 Dennis Winston 54 Zack Valentine 55 Jon Kolb 56 Robin Cole 57 Sam Davis 58 Jack Lambert 59 Jack Ham 62 Willie Fry 63 Thom Dornbrook 64 Steve Furness 65 Tom Beasley 66 Ted Petersen 67 Gary Dunn 68 L. C. Greenwood 72 Gerry Mullins 75 Joe Greene 76 John Banaszak 77 Steve Courson 78 Dwight White 79 Larry Brown 82 John Stallworth 83 Theo Bell 84 Randy Grossman 85 Calvin Sweeney 86 Jim Smith 88 Lynn Swann 89 Bennie Cunningham
Head coach: Chuck Noll
Coaches: Rollie Dotsch Dick Hoak Tom Moore George Perles Louis Riecke Paul Uram Dick Walker Woody Widenhofer

v t e Pittsburgh Steelers
Founded in 1933 Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates (1933–1939) Based and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Franchise	History All-Time Team Seasons Logos and uniforms Coaches All-time roster (A–K, L–Z) Starting quarterbacks First-round draft picks Records
Stadiums	Home fields: Forbes Field Pitt Stadium Three Rivers Stadium Acrisure Stadium Training facilities: Rooney Field Point Stadium UPMC Rooney Sports Complex Chuck Noll Field
Culture	Football in Western Pennsylvania Rooney family Myron Cope Steelmark Steeler Nation Terrible Towel Steel Curtain Black Sunday Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story Evening Shade The Chief "Renegade" "Here We Go" "Black and Yellow" YinzCam This Is Us Steel Curtain Roller Coaster
Lore	Steelers lore J.P. Rooneys Pennsylvania Keystoners "Pennsylvania Polka" Steagles Card-Pitt Steelerettes Immaculate Reception 1975 AFC Championship Game Immaculate Deflection Jerome Bettis trade Immaculate Redemption/The Tackle 3:16 game
Rivalries	Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Las Vegas Raiders New England Patriots Philadelphia Eagles Tennessee Titans
Media	Broadcasters KDKA-TV WPKD-TV SportsNet Pittsburgh Charlie Batch Chris Hoke Radio Network WDVE-FM WBGG-AM Bill Hillgrove Tunch Ilkin Craig Wolfley Steelers figures in broadcasting
Division championships (24)	1972 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1983 1984 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 2001 2002 2004 2007 2008 2010 2014 2016 2017 2020
Conference championships (8)	1974 1975 1978 1979 1995 2005 2008 2010
League championships (6)	1974 (IX) 1975 (X) 1978 (XIII) 1979 (XIV) 2005 (XL) 2008 (XLIII)
Retired numbers	32 70 75
Hall of Fame members	Players: Bettis Blount Bradshaw Butler Dawson Dudley Faneca Greene Ham Harris Johnson Lambert Layne Polamalu Shell Stallworth Stautner Swann Webster Woodson Coaches and administration: Bell Cowher Kiesling Noll Art Rooney Dan Rooney
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League Conference: American Football Conference Division: North Division