1984 Pittsburgh Steelers season

Last updated

1984 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Owner Art Rooney
General manager Dick Haley
Head coach Chuck Noll
Home stadium Three Rivers Stadium
Results
Record9–7
Division place1st AFC Central
PlayoffsWon Divisional Playoffs
(at Broncos) 24–17
Lost AFC Championship
(at Dolphins) 28–45
Pro Bowlers LB Robin Cole
WR Louis Lipps
LB Mike Merriweather
WR John Stallworth
C Mike Webster
All-Pros Louis Lipps (2nd team)
Team MVPJohn Stallworth
Team ROYLouis Lipps

The 1984 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 52nd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League. This for the first time since 1969 Terry Bradshaw was not on the opening day roster.

Contents

Most of the stars from the 1970s had departed, but the Steelers showed signs of their past glory by amassing a 9–7 record to capture the AFC Central Title again. The highlight of the season was an October 14 win over the 49ers in San Francisco. It was the only loss the 49ers suffered all season. Also serving up highlights that season was WR Louis Lipps, who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year. In the playoffs, the Steelers stunned the Broncos 24–17 in Denver to earn a trip to the AFC Championship. However, the Steelers' season would end with a 45–28 thrashing at the hands of the Dolphins in Miami. This season was the last time the Steelers appeared in a playoff game until 1989, marking the end of the powerhouse Steel Curtain defense.

Offseason

Draft

1984 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
123 Louis Lipps  *  Wide receiver Southern Miss
252 Chris Kolodziejski   Tight end Wyoming
4108 Weegie Thompson   Wide receiver Florida State
4111 Terry Long   Guard East Carolina
5135 Van Hughes   Defensive end Southwest Texas State
6164 Chris Brown   Cornerback Notre Dame
7191 Scott Campbell   Quarterback Purdue
8220 Randy Rasmussen   Center Minnesota
9247 Rich Erenberg   Running back Colgate
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

Staff

1984 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.
  • Controller – Dennis P. Thimons
  • Assistant controller – Dan Ferens
  • Traveling secretary – James A. Boston
  • Publicity director – Joe Gordon
  • Assistant publicity director – John Evenson
  • Director of ticket sales – Geraldine Glenn
  • Assistant director of ticket sales – Jim Ellenberger
  • Director of player personnel – Dick Haley
  • Assistant director of player personnel – William Nunn, Jr.
  • Pro talent scout – Tom Modrak
  • Talent scout – West Coast – Bob Schmitz
  • College talent scout – Joe Krupa

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator – Tom Moore
  • Offensive backfield – Dick Hoak
  • Offensive Line: Tackles/Tight Ends – Ron Blackledge
  • Offensive Line: Centers/Guards – Bill Meyers
Defensive coaches


Strength and conditioning

  • Conditioning coach – Jon Kolb
  • Assistant conditioning coach – Walt Evans
  • Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber
  • Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates
  • Physician, orthopedic – Dr. Paul Steele
  • Neurological surgery consultant – Dr. Joseph C. Maroon
  • Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek
  • Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli
  • Trainer – Ralph Berlin
  • Assistant trainer – Gary Stragar
  • Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi
  • Field manager – Rodgers Freyvogel
  • Film director – Bob McCartney
  • Photographers – Harry Homa, Bill Amatucci

[1]

Roster

1984 would prove to be somewhat of a transition year for the Steelers, as it would mark the final season of several key members of their 1970s dynasty—most notably Jack Lambert (who missed several games during the season due to a recurring turf toe injury), but also Larry Brown and Craig Colquitt—as well as the retirement of Mel Blount in mid-March and the unexpected [2] retirement of Terry Bradshaw in late July.

Additionally, Cliff Stoudt, the starting quarterback in 1983 while Bradshaw was injured, departed for the United States Football League, leaving the Steelers thin at the position after Bradshaw's retirement on the eve of training camp. The team would trade for former Miami Dolphins starter David Woodley, who had been supplanted on his former team by Oakland native and former Pitt quarterback Dan Marino. The Steelers infamously passed over Marino in the first round of the previous year's draft in favor of Gabriel Rivera, who by 1984 was already out of football; he suffered a spinal cord injury in a drunk driving crash that permanently left him a quadriplegic. Woodley would split time with Mark Malone under center.

In addition to Bradshaw, 1984 would also mark another unexpected departure: Franco Harris. Unlike Bradshaw, this would be due to a pay dispute. As Harris was closing in on Jim Brown's rushing record alongside Chicago's Walter Payton, Harris felt that he deserved a pay raise. The Rooney family, feeling that Harris was near the end of his career, felt otherwise, and it led to Harris's release during training camp. Harris would sign with the Seattle Seahawks and play eight games for that team before retiring 192 yards short of Brown's record, which would be surpassed by Payton that season.

On a positive note, 1984 would mark the first year of wide receiver Louis Lipps, who would set many team records during his career and would retire in second place on the Steelers all-time receiving list behind teammate John Stallworth; Lipps is currently fourth behind Hines Ward, Stallworth and Antonio Brown.

1984 Pittsburgh Steelers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

 Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

 Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

 Practice squad

[1] [3] [4] Reserve

Rookies in italics
57 active, 3 reserve

Preseason

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentGame SiteKickoff (ET)TVResultRecord
1Saturday, August 4at Cleveland Browns Cleveland Municipal Stadium 7:30 p.m. WPXI W 31–141–0
2Saturday, August 11 Philadelphia Eagles Three Rivers Stadium 6:00 p.m.WPXIW 20–17 (OT)2–0
3Thursday, August 16at Dallas Cowboys Texas Stadium 9:00 p.m. ABC W 20–103–0
4Saturday, August 25at New York Giants Giants Stadium 8:00 p.m.WPXIL 16–93–1

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentLocationKickoff (ET)TVResultRecord
1Sunday, September 2 Kansas City Chiefs Three Rivers Stadium 1:00 p.m. NBC L 37–270–1
2Thursday, September 6at New York Jets Giants Stadium 9:00 p.m. ABC W 23–171–1
3Sunday, September 16 Los Angeles Rams Three Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m. CBS W 24–142–1
4Sunday, September 23at Cleveland Browns Cleveland Municipal Stadium 1:00 p.m.NBCL 20–102–2
5Monday, October 1 Cincinnati Bengals Three Rivers Stadium9:00 p.m.ABCW 38–173–2
6Sunday, October 7 Miami Dolphins Three Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCL 31–73–3
7Sunday, October 14at San Francisco 49ers Candlestick Park 4:00 p.m.NBCW 20–174–3
8Sunday, October 21at Indianapolis Colts Hoosier Dome 1:00 p.m.NBCL 17–164–4
9Sunday, October 28 Atlanta Falcons Three Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.CBSW 35–105–4
10Sunday, November 4 Houston Oilers Three Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCW 35–76–4
11Sunday, November 11at Cincinnati Bengals Riverfront Stadium 1:00 p.m.NBCL 22–206–5
12Monday, November 19at New Orleans Saints Louisiana Superdome 9:00 p.m.ABCL 27–246–6
13Sunday, November 25 San Diego Chargers Three Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCW 52–247–6
14Sunday, December 2at Houston Oilers Astrodome 1:00 p.m.NBCL 23–20 (OT)7–7
15Sunday, December 9Cleveland BrownsThree Rivers Stadium1:00 p.m.NBCW 23–208–7
16Sunday, December 16at Los Angeles Raiders Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 4:00 p.m.NBCW 13–79–7

Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarter1234Total
Chiefs71713037
Steelers3143727

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: September 2, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 84 °F or 28.9 °C (Partly Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 56,709
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Bill Wilkerson (play by play), Dave Rowe (color commentator)
  • [5]

Mark Malone and David Woodley combined for 419 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, while the Chiefs won despite putting up just 264 yards of total offense.

Week 2: at New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
Quarter1234Total
Steelers767323
Jets0710017

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: September 6, 1984
  • Game time: 9:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 62 °F (16.7 °C), wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
  • Game attendance: 70,564
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play by play), Don Meredith (color commentator)
  • [6]

After coughing up four turnovers to the Chiefs, the Steelers picked off Pat Ryan three times and forced a fumble; they also bullied the Jets into eleven penalties for 115 yards.

Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams at Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarter1234Total
Rams707014
Steelers0143724

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: September 16, 1984
  • Game time: 4:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 63 °F or 17.2 °C (Mostly Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 58,104
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Hill (play by play), John Dockery (color commentator)
  • [7]

The Steelers limited Eric Dickerson to 49 rushing yards and forced two Rams fumbles.

Week 4: at Cleveland Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Quarter1234Total
Steelers073010
Browns00101020

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: September 23, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21.1 °C), wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
  • Game attendance: 77,312
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • [8]

Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarter1234Total
Bengals0100717
Steelers014101438

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarter1234Total
Dolphins0213731
Steelers00707

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 7, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 66 °F or 18.9 °C (Fog & Drizzle)
  • Game attendance: 59,103
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play by play), Bob Griese (color commentator)
  • [10]

Week 7 (Sunday, October 14, 1984): at San Francisco 49ers

[11]

Week 7: Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers
Quarter1234Total
Steelers (4–3)7301020
49ers (6–1)0701017

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

  • Date: October 14, 1984
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
  • Game attendance: 59,110
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (NBC Game only aired in the Pittsburgh markets due to NBC airing Game 5 of the World Series): Jay Randolph (play by play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
  • [12]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
PITPassing Mark Malone 11/18, 156 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Rich Erenberg 11 CAR, 44 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving John Stallworth 6 REC, 78 YDS, 1 TD
SFPassing Joe Montana 24/34, 241 YDS, 1 INT
Rushing Wendell Tyler 11 CAR, 59 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Roger Craig 7 REC, 43 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers by 8
  • Over/Under: 42.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
SteelersGame Statistics49ers
23First downs22
47–175Rushes–yards20–117
156Passing yards241
11–18–1Passes24–35–1
1–7Sacked–yards0–0
149Net passing yards241
324Total yards358
106Return yards131
2–41.0Punts3–30.7
1–0Fumbles–lost1–0
11–68Penalties–yards8–57
34:45Time of Possession25:15

This game was not on many NBC stations, since game 5 of the World Series was being broadcast at the same time. However, that game would prove the last Sunday afternoon World Series game. This was the solitary game the eventual Super Bowl champion 49ers lost during the 1984 season.

Week 8: at Indianapolis Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts
Quarter1234Total
Steelers3100316
Colts0001717

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: October 21, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: Dome
  • Game attendance: 60,026
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (NBC): Gary Gerould (play by play), Dave Rowe (color commentator
  • [13]

This game was particularly frustrating to Steeler fans. One week previously, the Steelers beat the 49ers in San Francisco – becoming the solitary team to achieve this as the 49ers finished 15-1 on the way to winning the Super Bowl. Then coming back east to play one of the worst teams of the season, the Indianapolis Colts – who had only two wins at that point and were to win just four games for the season – they lost on a last minute improbable play after leading throughout the game. The Colts’ third-string quarterback, Mike Pagel, came off the bench in the third quarter and was leading a final minute drive from their 20. On the Colts 40 with 34 seconds left, Pagel avoided a near sack, scrambled right and threw down the middle of the field to WR Bernard Henry. The ball however went directly to the hands of Steeler CB Sam Washington who bobbled the ball. Between Washington and a few other Steeler defenders, WR Ray Butler burst through the gap, snatched the ball in the air and ran untouched 54 yards for the touchdown. The extra point sealed the game. [14]

And that’s why they play the game.

Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarter1234Total
Falcons030710
Steelers7714735

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 28, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 72 °F or 22.2 °C (Light Rain)
  • Game attendance: 55,971
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Hill (play by play), John Dockery (color commentator)
  • [15]

Week 10 vs. Houston Oilers

Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarter1234Total
Oilers00707
Steelers71414035

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 4, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 53 °F or 11.7 °C (Light Rain)
  • Game attendance: 48,892
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Gary Gerould (play by play), Harvey Martin (color commentator)
  • [16]

The Steelers limited Warren Moon and Oliver Luck to 224 yards; the Oilers fumbled four times.

Week 11: at Cincinnati Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Quarter1234Total
Steelers0130720
Bengals3012722

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: November 11, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6.1 °C), wind 17 miles per hour (27 km/h; 15 kn)
  • Game attendance: 52,497
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play by play), Bob Griese (color commentator)
  • [17]

Week 12: at New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints
Quarter1234Total
Steelers01401024
Saints31001427

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

The Saints won their first Monday Night game in seven tries, and also avenged a 1974 Monday Night loss to the Steelers at Tulane Stadium. It was Pittsburgh's first loss to New Orleans since 1969 in what was the Steelers’ final game in the NFL before moving to the AFC as part of the AFL-NFL merger.

Former Steelers linebacker Dennis Winston played for the Saints in this game. It was also a homecoming for Lipps, who played at nearby East St. John High School.

Week 13: vs. San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarter1234Total
Chargers0107724
Steelers32121752

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 25, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 54 °F or 12.2 °C (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 55,586
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Len Berman (play by play), Gene Washington (color commentator)
  • [18]

Week 14: at Houston Oilers

Quarter1234OTTotal
Steelers30107020
Oilers31007323

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 2, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: Dome
  • Game attendance: 39,786
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • [19]

The Steelers tied the game in the fourth yet fell in overtime, all despite intercepting Warren Moon three times.

Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarter1234Total
Browns3100720
Steelers7103323

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Week 16: at Los Angeles Raiders

Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Raiders
Quarter1234Total
Steelers3001013
Raiders00077

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

  • Date: December 16, 1984
  • Game time: 4:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), wind 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn)
  • Game attendance: 83,056
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • [20]

Standings

AFC Central
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
Pittsburgh Steelers (3)970.5633–36–6387310W2
Cincinnati Bengals 880.5005–16–6339339W4
Cleveland Browns 5110.3133–34–8250297W1
Houston Oilers 3130.1881–53–9240437L2

Playoffs

AFC Divisional Playoff: at Denver Broncos

1984 AFC Divisional Playoff
Quarter1234Total
Steelers0107724
Broncos7010017

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: December 30, 1984
  • Game time: 4:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 33 °F (0.6 °C), wind 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h; 5.2 kn), wind chills 28 °F or −2.2 °C
  • Game attendance: 74,981
  • Referee: Fred Wyant
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • [21]

The Steelers sacked John Elway four times and picked him off twice.

AFC Championship game: at Miami Dolphins

1984 AFC Championship game
Quarter1234Total
Steelers777728
Dolphins71714745

at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

  • Date: January 6, 1985
  • Game time: 12:30 PM
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14.4 °C), wind 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn)
  • Game attendance: 76,029
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)

Dan Marino threw four touchdowns and over 400 yards, outdueling Mark Malone’s 312 yards and three scores; Miami picked off Malone three times.

Honors and awards

References

  1. 1 2 1984 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  2. ↑ "The day Terry Bradshaw retired from the Steelers". Cover32. July 5, 2016. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  3. ↑ 1985 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  4. ↑ "1984 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  5. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 2nd, 1984
  6. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets – September 6th, 1984
  7. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Los Angeles Rams at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 16th, 1984
  8. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – September 23rd, 1984
  9. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 1st, 1984
  10. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 7th, 1984
  11. ↑ The Football Database. Retrieved 2022-Jun-25.
  12. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers – October 14th, 1984
  13. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts – October 21st, 1984
  14. ↑ "Colts beat odds with a good tip", The Spokesman-Review, October 22, 1984, page 13.
  15. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 28th, 1984
  16. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 4th, 1984
  17. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – November 11th, 1984
  18. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 25th, 1984
  19. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – December 2nd, 1984
  20. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Raiders - December 16th, 1984
  21. ↑ Pro Football Reference ; Divisional Round - Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos - December 30th, 1984
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