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 (Dolphins) 34–14 Won AFC Championship (Oilers) 27–13 Won Super Bowl XIV (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

The 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season saw the Steelers successfully defend their Super Bowl Championship from the previous year as they achieved a 12–4 record and 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. Finally defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31-19 in Super Bowl XIV.

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.

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 final roster

	Quarterbacks 12 Terry Bradshaw 15 Mike Kruczek 18 Cliff Stoudt Running backs 33 Anthony Anderson KR 20 Rocky Bleier 32 Franco Harris 27 Greg Hawthorne 39 Rick Moser 38 Sidney Thornton Wide receivers 83 Theo Bell PR 86 Jim Smith 82 John Stallworth 88 Lynn Swann Tight ends 89 Bennie Cunningham 84 Randy Grossman		Offensive linemen 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 T/C 52 Mike Webster C Defensive linemen 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 56 Robin Cole OLB 50 Tom Graves OLB 59 Jack Ham OLB 58 Jack Lambert MLB 51 Loren Toews OLB 54 Zack Valentine OLB 51 Dennis Winston MLB Defensive backs 30 Larry Anderson DB/KR 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 LS/P 52 Mike Webster LS/PK  9 Matt Bahr K  5 Craig Colquitt P/H		Reserve lists 69 Fred Anderson DE (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 45 Russell Davis RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 26 Larry Douglas WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 62 Willie Fry DE/DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 74 Ray Pinney T (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 85 Calvin Sweeney WR (PUPTooltip Physically unable to perform) Practice squad Rookies in italics 46 active, 6 inactive, 0 practice squad

Pre-season

Week	Date	Kickoff (ET)	TV	Opponent	Result	Record	Game Site
1	Sat. Aug. 4	6:00 pm	WIIC	at Buffalo Bills	W 15–7	1–0	Rich Stadium
2	Sat. Aug. 11	6:00 pm	WIIC	New York Giants	W 10–3	2–0	Three Rivers Stadium
3	Fri. Aug. 17	8:00 pm	WIIC	at New York Jets	W 27–14	3–0	Giants Stadium
4	Sat. Aug. 25	9:00 pm	NBC	at Dallas Cowboys	L 14–16	3–1	Texas Stadium

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Kickoff (ET)	TV	Opponent	Result	Record	Game Site
1	Mon. Sep. 3	9:00 p.m.	ABC	at New England Patriots	W 16–13 (OT)	1–0	Schaefer Stadium
2	Sun. Sep. 9	1:00 p.m.	NBC	Houston Oilers	W 38–7	2–0	Three Rivers Stadium
3	Sun. Sep. 16	4:00 p.m.	NBC	at St. Louis Cardinals	W 24–21	3–0	Busch Memorial Stadium
4	Sun. Sep. 23	1:00 p.m.	NBC	Baltimore Colts	W 17–13	4–0	Three Rivers Stadium
5	Sun. Sep. 30	1:00 p.m.	NBC	at Philadelphia Eagles	L 14–17	4–1	Veterans Stadium
6	Sun. Oct. 7	4:00 p.m.	NBC	at Cleveland Browns	W 51–35	5–1	Cleveland Municipal Stadium
7	Sun. Oct. 14	1:00 p.m.	NBC	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 10–34	5–2	Riverfront Stadium
8	Mon. Oct. 22	9:00 p.m.	ABC	Denver Broncos	W 42–7	6–2	Three Rivers Stadium
9	Sun. Oct. 28	1:00 p.m.	CBS	Dallas Cowboys	W 14–3	7–2	Three Rivers Stadium
10	Sun. Nov. 4	1:00 p.m.	CBS	Washington Redskins	W 38–7	8–2	Three Rivers Stadium
11	Sun. Nov. 11	1:00 p.m.	NBC	at Kansas City Chiefs	W 30–3	9–2	Arrowhead Stadium
12	Sun. Nov. 18	4:00 p.m.	NBC	at San Diego Chargers	L 7–35	9–3	San Diego Stadium
13	Sun. Nov. 25	1:00 p.m.	NBC	Cleveland Browns	W 33–30 (OT)	10–3	Three Rivers Stadium
14	Sun. Dec. 2	1:00 p.m.	NBC	Cincinnati Bengals	W 37–17	11–3	Three Rivers Stadium
15	Mon. Dec. 10	9:00 p.m.	ABC	at Houston Oilers	L 17–20	11–4	Astrodome
16	Sun. Dec. 16	1:00 p.m.	NBC	Buffalo Bills	W 28–0	12–4	Three Rivers Stadium

Game summaries

Week 1: at New England Patriots

See also: 1979 New England Patriots season

Period	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, wind 13 mph
• 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

Period	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, (Partly Cloudy) wind 6 mph
• 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

Period	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, wind 5 mph
• 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

See also: 1979 Baltimore Colts season

Period	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, (Sunny) wind 10 mph
• 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

See also: 1979 Philadelphia Eagles season

Period	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, wind 12 mph
• 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

See also: 1979 Cleveland Browns season

Period	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, wind 17 mph
• 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

See also: 1979 Cincinnati Bengals season

Period	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, wind 7 mph
• 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

See also: 1979 Denver Broncos season

Period	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, (Clear) wind 9 mph
• 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

See also: 1979 Dallas Cowboys season

Period	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, (Partly Cloudy) wind 12 mph
• 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

See also: 1979 Washington Redskins season

Period	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, (Sunny) wind 7 mph
• 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 mhis career.

Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs

See also: 1979 Kansas City Chiefs season

Period	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, wind 15 mph
• 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

See also: 1979 San Diego Chargers season

Period	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, wind 9 mph
• Game attendance: 51,910
• Referee: Red Cashion
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter SD – John Jefferson 16-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Mike Wood kick) Second quarter SD – Bob Klein 6-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Mike Wood kick) SD – Bo Matthews 2-yard run (Mike Wood kick) Third quarter PIT – Rocky Bleier 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) SD – Woodrow Lowe 77-yard interception return (Mike Wood kick) Fourth quarter SD – Hank Bauer 2-yard run (Mike Wood kick) Passing PIT – Terry Bradshaw 18/36, 153 yards, 5 INT SD – Dan Fouts 11/24, 137 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing PIT – Franco Harris 20 att, 44 yards SD – Mike Thomas 13 att, 53 yards Receiving PIT – John Stallworth 4 rec, 55 yards SD – John Jefferson 5 rec, 106 yards, TD

Week 13: vs. Cleveland Browns

Period	1	2	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, (Cloudy) wind 6 mph
• 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

Period	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, (Cloudy) wind 12 mph
• Game attendance: 46,251
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (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

Period	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

See also: 1979 Buffalo Bills season

Period	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, (Cloudy) wind 13 mph
• 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
	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

Week	Date	Kickoff (ET)	TV	Opponent	Result	Game Site
Divisional	Sun. Dec. 30	12:30 pm	NBC	Miami Dolphins	W 34–14	Three Rivers Stadium
Conference	Sun. Jan. 6	1:00 pm	NBC	Houston Oilers	W 27–13	Three Rivers Stadium
Super Bowl XIV	Sun. Jan. 20	6:15 pm	CBS	vs. Los Angeles Rams	W 31–19	Rose Bowl

Game summaries

AFC Divisional Playoff: vs. Miami Dolphins

See also: 1979 Miami Dolphins season

Period	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 (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

See also: 1979 Houston Oilers season

Period	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, (Light Freezing Rain) wind 18 mph
• 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

Main article: Super Bowl XIV

See also: 1979 Los Angeles Rams season

Period	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 (Sunny), wind 17 mph
• 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

Honors and awards

• Terry Bradshaw, Super Bowl MVP

External links

• 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Pro Football Reference