1985 Pittsburgh Steelers season

1985 Pittsburgh Steelers season
1985 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Owner	Art Rooney
General manager	Dick Haley
Head coach	Chuck Noll
Home stadium	Three Rivers Stadium
Results
Record	7–9
Division place	2nd AFC Central
Playoffs	Did not qualify
All-Pros	Louis Lipps (2nd team)
Pro Bowlers	PK Gary Anderson; WR Louis Lipps; LB Mike Merriweather; C Mike Webster
Team MVP	Louis Lipps
Team ROY	Harry Newsome

The 1985 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 53rd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League. The Steelers challenged for the AFC Central most of the season, sitting at 6–5 after their first eleven games. However, losing 4 out of their final 5 games dropped the Steelers to a 7–9 overall record, their first season with a losing record in fourteen years.

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1985 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
1	20	Darryl Sims	Defensive tackle	Wisconsin
2	47	Mark Behning	Offensive tackle	Nebraska
3	74	Liffort Hobley	Safety	LSU
4	101	Dan Turk	Center	Wisconsin
5	136	Cam Jacobs	Linebacker	Kentucky
6	160	Gregg Carr	Linebacker	Auburn
7	187	Alan Andrews	Tight end	Rutgers
8	214	Harry Newsome	Punter	Wake Forest
9	241	Fred Small	Linebacker	Washington
9	242	Andre Harris	Defensive back	Minnesota
10	268	Oliver White	Tight end	Kentucky
11	300	Terry Matichak	Defensive back	Missouri
12	327	Jeff Sanchez	Defensive back	Georgia
Made roster

Undrafted free agents

1985 undrafted free agents of note
Player	Position	College
Danny Andrews	Defensive back	UCLA
Andrew Baker	Wide receiver	Rutgers
Charlie Dickey	Guard	Arizona
Steve DeVries	Linebacker	Northwestern College (Iowa)
Dave Edwards	Safety	Illinois
Frank Goode	Linebacker	Youngstown State
Preston Gothard	Tight end	Alabama
Dwayne Hooper	Running back	Rutgers
Alan Huff	Defensive tackle	Marshall
Tom Linebarger	Defensive tackle	SMU
Steve Little	Defensive tackle	Iowa State
Dwayne McMullen	Wide receiver	Minnesota
Frank Pokorny	Wide receiver	Youngstown State
Kevin Powell	Defensive tackle	Youngstown State
Marc Quinlivan	Wide receiver	Yale

Personnel

Staff

**1985 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-management – Dan Ferens Traveling secretary – James A. Boston Publicity director – Joe Gordon Director of ticket sales – Geraldine Glenn Assistant controller-tickets – 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 Talent scout – Midwest – Mike Butler College talent scout – Joe Krupa Head coaches Head coach – Chuck Noll Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Tom Moore Offensive Line: Tackles/Tight Ends – Ron Blackledge Offensive backfield – Dick Hoak Offensive Line: Centers/Guards – Hal Hunter			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Tony Dungy Inside linebackers – Dennis Fitzgerald Outside linebackers – Jed Hughes Defensive line – Jon Kolb Strength and conditioning Conditioning coach – Walt Evans Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber Neurological surgery consultant – Dr. Joseph C. Maroon Physician, M.D. – Dr. Richard Rydze Physician, orthopedic – Dr. Paul Steele Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates Trainer – Ralph Berlin Trainer – Gary Stragar Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi Field manager – Rodgers Freyvogel Film director – Bob McCartney Photographers – Mike Fabus, Bill Amatucci ^[1]

Roster

**1985 Pittsburgh Steelers roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 10 Scott Campbell 16 Mark Malone 19 David Woodley Running backs (RB) 34 Walter Abercrombie 24 Rich Erenberg 30 Frank Pollard 47 Steve Morse 36 Todd Spencer Wide receivers (WR) 83 Louis Lipps 80 Frank Pokorny 82 John Stallworth 85 Calvin Sweeney 87 Weegie Thompson Tight ends (TE) 89 Bennie Cunningham 86 Preston Gothard		Offensive linemen (OL) 71 Emil Boures G 62 Tunch Ilkin T 74 Terry Long G 65 Ray Pinney T 60 Randy Rasmussen G/C 63 Pete Rostosky T 52 Mike Webster C 73 Craig Wolfley G Defensive linemen (DL) 78 Mark Catano NT 67 Gary Dunn NT 92 Keith Gary DE 95 John Goodman DE 99 Darryl Sims DE 93 Keith Willis DE		Linebackers (LB) 91 Gregg Carr OLB 56 Robin Cole ILB 53 Bryan Hinkle OLB 50 David Little ILB 57 Mike Merriweather OLB 54 Fred Small ILB 55 Dennis Winston ILB Defensive backs (DB) 33 Harvey Clayton CB 31 Donnie Shell SS 26 John Swain CB 25 Anthony Tuggle SS 21 Eric Williams FS 49 Dwayne Woodruff CB 22 Rick Woods CB/FS Special teams (ST) 1 Gary Anderson K 18 Harry Newsome P		Reserve -- Alan Andrews TE (IR) 66 Mark Behning T (IR) 23 Chris Brown CB (IR) 42 Dave Edwards S (IR) 68 Russ Graham T (IR) 29 Dwayne Hooper T (IR) 48 Cam Jacobs LB (IR) 90 Bob Kohrs LB (IR) 64 Edmund Nelson DE (IR) 51 Dan Turk C (IR) 28 Robert Williams S (IR) ^[2] ^[3] ^[4] Rookies in italics

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Game Site	Kickoff (ET)	TV	Result	Record
1	Saturday, August 10	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Tampa Stadium	8:00 p.m.	WTAE	W 42–27	1–0
2	Saturday, August 17	at Minnesota Vikings	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	8:00 p.m.	WTAE	L 41–34	1–1
3	Friday, August 23	at St. Louis Cardinals	Busch Stadium	8:30 p.m.	WTAE	L 14–6	1–2
4	Friday, August 30	New York Giants	Three Rivers Stadium	7:30 p.m.	WTAE	L 24–14	1–3

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Game Site	Kickoff (ET)	TV	Result	Record
1	Sunday, September 8	Indianapolis Colts	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 45–3	1–0
2	Monday, September 16	at Cleveland Browns	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	9:00 p.m.	ABC	L 17–7	1–1
3	Sunday, September 22	Houston Oilers	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 20–0	2–1
4	Monday, September 30	Cincinnati Bengals	Three Rivers Stadium	9:00 p.m.	ABC	L 37–24	2–2
5	Sunday, October 6	at Miami Dolphins	Miami Orange Bowl	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 24–20	2–3
6	Sunday, October 13	at Dallas Cowboys	Texas Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 27–13	2–4
7	Sunday, October 20	St. Louis Cardinals	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	CBS	W 23–10	3–4
8	Sunday, October 27	at Cincinnati Bengals	Riverfront Stadium	4:00 p.m.	NBC	L 26–21	3–5
9	Sunday, November 3	Cleveland Browns	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 10–9	4–5
10	Sunday, November 10	at Kansas City Chiefs	Arrowhead Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 36–28	5–5
11	Sunday, November 17	at Houston Oilers	Astrodome	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 30–7	6–5
12	Sunday, November 24	Washington Redskins	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	CBS	L 30–23	6–6
13	Sunday, December 1	Denver Broncos	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 31–23	6–7
14	Sunday, December 8	at San Diego Chargers	Jack Murphy Stadium	9:00 p.m.	ABC	L 54–44	6–8
15	Sunday, December 15	Buffalo Bills	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 30–24	7–8
16	Saturday, December 21	at New York Giants	Giants Stadium	12:30 p.m.	NBC	L 28–10	7–9

Week 1: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	3	0	0	0	3
Steelers	7	17	7	14	45

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: September 8, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
Game weather: 79 °F (26.1 °C), wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
Game attendance: 55,279
Referee: Red Cashion
TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play by play), Sam Rutigliano (color commentator)
^[5]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Colts	Steelers
1					Steelers	Louis Lipps 7-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	0	7
1					Colts	39-yard field goal by Raul Allegre	3	7
2					Steelers	Louis Lipps 11-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	3	14
2					Steelers	31-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	17
2					Steelers	Rich Erenberg 11-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	3	24
3					Steelers	John Stallworth 6-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	3	31
4					Steelers	Mark Malone 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	3	38
4					Steelers	Louis Lipps 16-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	3	45
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							3	45

Week 2: at Cleveland Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	0	0	7	7
Browns	0	7	3	7	17

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Date: September 16, 1985
Game time: 9:00 pm EDT
Game weather: 57 °F (13.9 °C), wind 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h; 4.3 kn)
Game attendance: 79,042
Referee: Gene Barth
TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play by play), Joe Namath & O. J. Simpson (color commentators)
^[6]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Browns
2					Browns	Fred Banks 7-yard touchdown reception from Gary Danielson, Matt Bahr kick good	0	7
3					Browns	18-yard field goal by Matt Bahr	0	10
4					Steelers	John Stallworth 6-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	7	10
4					Browns	Earnest Byner 21-yard touchdown run, Matt Bahr kick good	7	17
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							7	17

Week 3: vs. Houston Oilers

Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	0	0	0	0
Steelers	14	3	3	0	20

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: September 22, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
Game weather: 69 °F (20.6 °C), wind 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h; 3.5 kn)
Game attendance: 58,752
Referee: Ben Dreith
TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play by play), Sam Rutigliano (color commentator)
^[7]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Oilers	Steelers
1					Steelers	Louis Lipps 25-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	0	7
1					Steelers	Louis Lipps 5-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	0	14
2					Steelers	37-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	0	17
3					Steelers	38-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	0	20
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							0	20

Week 4: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	14	7	16	37
Steelers	0	10	14	0	24

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: September 30, 1985
Game time: 9:00 pm EDT
Game weather: 62 °F (16.7 °C), wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
Game attendance: 59,541
Referee: Pat Haggerty
TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play by play), Joe Namath and O. J. Simpson (color commentators)
^[8]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Bengals	Steelers
2					Steelers	Louis Lipps 15-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good/no good (blocked)/no good (miss right)/no good (miss left)/no good (miss short)/no good	0	7
2					Bengals	James Brooks 14-yard touchdown run, Jim Breech kick good	7	7
2					Bengals	Rodney Holman 26-yard touchdown reception from Boomer Esiason, Jim Breech kick good	14	7
2					Steelers	29-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	14	10
3					Bengals	Eddie Brown 8-yard touchdown reception from Boomer Esiason, Jim Breech kick good	21	10
3					Steelers	John Stallworth 17-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	21	17
3					Steelers	Rich Erenberg 4-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	21	24
4					Bengals	Rodney Holman 4-yard touchdown reception from Boomer Esiason, Jim Breech kick good	28	24
4					Bengals	Jim Breech-yard field goal by 32	31	24
4					Bengals	James Brooks 32-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass failed	37	24
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							37	24

Week 5: at Miami Dolphins

Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	17	0	3	20
Dolphins	7	7	3	7	24

at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

Date: October 6, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
Game weather: 80 °F (26.7 °C), relative humidity 79%, wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
Game attendance: 72,820
Referee: Dick Jorgensen
TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play by play), Bob Griese (color commentator)
^[9]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Dolphins
1					Dolphins	Tony Nathan 1-yard touchdown run, Fuad Reveiz kick good	0	7
2					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	7	7
2					Steelers	48-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	10	7
2					Dolphins	Dan Johnson 2-yard touchdown reception from Dan Marino, Fuad Reveiz kick good	10	14
2					Steelers	Weegie Thompson 1-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	17	14
3					Dolphins	35-yard field goal by Fuad Reveiz	17	17
4					Steelers	33-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	20	17
4					Dolphins	Lorenzo Hampton 2-yard touchdown run, Fuad Reveiz kick good	20	24
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							20	24

Week 6: at Dallas Cowboys

Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys

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

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Date: October 13, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
Game weather: 79 °F (26.1 °C), relative humidity 68%, wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
Game attendance: 62,932
Referee: Tom Dooley
TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
^[10]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Cowboys
2					Steelers	48-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	0
2					Cowboys	Tony Dorsett 56-yard touchdown reception from Danny White, Rafael Septien kick good	3	7
2					Cowboys	38-yard field goal by Rafael Septien	3	10
3					Cowboys	39-yard field goal by Rafael Septien	3	13
3					Cowboys	Interception returned 19 yards for touchdown by Eugene Lockhart, Rafael Septien kick good	3	20
4					Steelers	34-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	6	20
4					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	13	20
4					Cowboys	Tony Dorsett 35-yard touchdown run, Rafael Septien kick good	13	27
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							13	27

Week 7: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	3	0	0	7	10
Steelers	14	3	6	0	23

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: October 20, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
Game weather: 56 °F (13.3 °C), wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
Game attendance: 56,478
Referee: Jim Tunney
TV announcers (CBS): Tom Brookshier (play by play), Dick Vermiel (color commentator)
^[11]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Cardinals	Steelers
1					Cardinals	19-yard field goal by Neil O'Donoghue	3	0
1					Steelers	Louis Lipps 45-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	3	7
1					Steelers	Frank Pollard 14-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	3	14
2					Steelers	33-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	17
3					Steelers	33-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	20
3					Steelers	33-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	23
4					Cardinals	Stump Mitchell 5-yard touchdown reception from Neil Lomax, Neil O'Donoghue kick good	10	23
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							10	23

Week 8: at Cincinnati Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	7	0	14	21
Bengals	3	14	9	0	26

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati

Date: October 27, 1985
Game time: 4:00 pm EST
Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), wind 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h; 3.5 kn)
Game attendance: 55,241
Referee: Bob McElwee
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
^[12]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Bengals
1					Bengals	37-yard field goal by Jim Breech	0	3
2					Bengals	Rodney Holman 11-yard touchdown reception from Boomer Esiason, Jim Breech kick good	0	10
2					Bengals	Interception returned 57 yards for touchdown by Robert Jackson, Jim Breech kick good	0	17
2					Steelers	Louis Lipps 49-yard touchdown reception from David Woodley, Gary Anderson kick good	7	17
3					Bengals	39-yard field goal by Jim Breech	7	20
3					Bengals	40-yard field goal by Jim Breech	7	23
3					Bengals	32-yard field goal by Jim Breech	7	26
4					Steelers	Louis Lipps 62-yard punt return for touchdown	14	26
4					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	21	26
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							21	26

Week 9: vs. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	0	6	0	3	9
Steelers	0	0	7	3	10

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: November 3, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EST
Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
Game attendance: 51,976
Referee: Bob Frederic
TV announcers (NBC): Len Berman (play by play), Reggie Rucker (color commentator)
^[13]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Browns	Steelers
2					Browns	34-yard field goal by Matt Bahr	3	0
2					Browns	45-yard field goal by Matt Bahr	6	0
3					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 32-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	6	7
4					Browns	30-yard field goal by Matt Bahr	9	7
4					Steelers	25-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	9	10
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							9	10

Week 10: at Kansas City Chiefs

Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	10	17	3	6	36
Chiefs	7	7	0	14	28

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Date: November 10, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EST
Game weather: 36 °F (2.2 °C), wind 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn), wind chill 27 °F or −2.8 °C
Game attendance: 46,126
Referee: Ben Dreith
TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play by play), Bob Griese (color commentator)
^[14]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Chiefs
1					Chiefs	Interception returned 47 yards for touchdown by Deron Cherry, Nick Lowery kick good	0	7
1					Steelers	John Stallworth 13-yard touchdown reception from David Woodley, Gary Anderson kick good	7	7
1					Steelers	35-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	10	7
2					Steelers	31-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	13	7
2					Chiefs	Jeff Smith 45-yard touchdown reception from Bill Kenney, Nick Lowery kick good	13	14
2					Steelers	Louis Lipps 71-yard punt return for touchdown	20	14
2					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 2-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	27	14
3					Steelers	27-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	30	14
4					Chiefs	Jeff Smith 13-yard touchdown reception from Bill Kenney, Nick Lowery kick good	30	21
4					Steelers	36-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	33	21
4					Steelers	28-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	36	21
4					Chiefs	Anthony Hancock 13-yard touchdown reception from Bill Kenney, Nick Lowery kick good	36	28
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							36	28

Week 11: at Houston Oilers

Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	3	7	13	7	30
Oilers	0	0	7	0	7

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Date: November 17, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EST
Game weather: Dome
Game attendance: 45,977
Referee: Red Cashion
TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play by play), Jimmy Cefalo (color commentator)
^[15]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Oilers
1					Steelers	52-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	0
2					Steelers	Frank Pollard 2-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	10	0
3					Oilers	Mike Rozier 15-yard touchdown run, Tony Zendejas kick good	10	7
3					Steelers	31-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	13	7
3					Steelers	David Woodley 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	20	7
3					Steelers	34-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	23	7
4					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 5-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	30	7
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							30	7

Week 12: vs. Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	14	6	7	3	30
Steelers	3	14	0	6	23

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: November 24, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EST
Game weather: 38 °F (3.3 °C), wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
Game attendance: 59,293
Referee: Gordon McCarter
TV announcers (CBS): Tim Ryan (play by play), Johnny Morris (color commentator)
^[16]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Redskins	Steelers
1					Redskins	George Rogers 1-yard touchdown run, Mark Moseley kick good	7	0
1					Steelers	22-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	7	3
1					Redskins	Clint Didier 18-yard touchdown reception from Jay Schroeder, Mark Moseley kick good	14	3
2					Redskins	20-yard field goal by Mark Moseley	17	3
2					Steelers	Louis Lipps 5-yard touchdown reception from Scott Campbell, Gary Anderson kick good	17	10
2					Steelers	Rich Erenberg 9-yard touchdown reception from Scott Campbell, Gary Anderson kick good	17	17
2					Redskins	39-yard field goal by Mark Moseley	20	17
3					Redskins	John Riggins 1-yard touchdown run, Mark Moseley kick good	27	17
4					Steelers	37-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	27	20
4					Redskins	42-yard field goal by Mark Moseley	30	20
4					Steelers	27-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	30	23
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							30	23

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	10	0	21	31
Steelers	0	6	3	14	23

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: December 1, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EST
Game weather: 52 °F (11.1 °C), wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
Game attendance: 56,797
Referee: Gene Barth
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy & Paul Zimmerman (color commentators)
^[17]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Broncos	Steelers
2					Steelers	25-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	0	3
2					Broncos	Clint Sampson 24-yard touchdown reception from John Elway, Rich Karlis kick good	7	3
2					Broncos	42-yard field goal by Rich Karlis	10	3
2					Steelers	34-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	10	6
3					Steelers	24-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	10	9
4					Broncos	Steve Sewell 12-yard touchdown run, Rich Karlis kick good	17	9
4					Steelers	Louis Lipps 31-yard touchdown reception from David Woodley, Gary Anderson kick good	17	16
4					Steelers	Interception returned 35 yards for touchdown by Mike Merriweather, Gary Anderson kick good	17	23
4					Broncos	Steve Sewell 2-yard touchdown run, Rich Karlis kick good	24	23
4					Broncos	Interception returned 42 yards for touchdown by Mike Harden, Rich Karlis kick good	31	23
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							31	23

Week 14: at San Diego Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	13	14	10	44
Chargers	21	13	7	13	54

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: December 8, 1985
Game time: 9:00 pm EST
Game weather: 56 °F (13.3 °C), wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
Game attendance: 52,098
Referee: Jerry Seeman
TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play by play), Joe Namath & O. J. Simpson (color commentators)
^[18]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Chargers
1					Chargers	Tim Spencer 12-yard touchdown run, Robert R. Thomas kick good	0	7
1					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 15-yard touchdown reception from David Woodley, Gary Anderson kick good	7	7
1					Chargers	Wes Chandler 36-yard touchdown reception from Dan Fouts, Robert R. Thomas kick good	7	14
1					Chargers	Pete Holohan 20-yard touchdown reception from Dan Fouts, Robert R. Thomas kick good	7	21
2					Steelers	Louis Lipps 8-yard touchdown reception from David Woodley, Gary Anderson kick good	14	21
2					Steelers	45-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	17	21
2					Chargers	Wes Chandler 75-yard touchdown reception from Dan Fouts, Robert R. Thomas kick good	17	28
2					Chargers	Buford McGee 3-yard touchdown run, Robert R. Thomas kick no good	17	34
2					Steelers	41-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	20	34
3					Steelers	David Woodley 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	27	34
3					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 25-yard touchdown reception from David Woodley, Gary Anderson kick good	34	34
3					Chargers	Buford McGee 7-yard touchdown run, Robert R. Thomas kick good	34	41
4					Steelers	Louis Lipps 15-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	41	41
4					Steelers	Gary Anderson-yard field goal by 26	44	41
4					Chargers	Gary Anderson (Chargers) 2-yard touchdown run, Robert R. Thomas kick no good	44	47
4					Chargers	Interception returned 47 yards for touchdown by Jeffery Dale, Robert R. Thomas kick good	44	54
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							44	54

Week 15: vs. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	7	14	0	3	24
Steelers	0	14	6	10	30

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: December 15, 1985
Game time: 1:00 pm EST
Game weather: 17 °F (−8.3 °C), wind 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn), wind chill 3 °F or −16.1 °C
Game attendance: 35,953
Referee: Pat Haggerty
TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone (play by play), Sam Rutigliano (color commentator)
^[19]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Bills	Steelers
1					Bills	Greg Bell 77-yard touchdown run, Scott Norwood kick good	7	0
2					Bills	Jerry Butler 33-yard touchdown reception from Bruce Mathison, Scott Norwood kick good	14	0
2					Bills	Fumble recovery returned 61 yards for touchdown by Don Wilson, Scott Norwood kick good	21	0
2					Steelers	Louis Lipps 13-yard touchdown reception from Scott Campbell, Gary Anderson kick good	21	7
2					Steelers	Frank Pollard 4-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	21	14
3					Steelers	26-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	21	17
3					Steelers	31-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	21	20
4					Bills	24-yard field goal by Scott Norwood	24	20
4					Steelers	45-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	24	23
4					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 2-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	24	30
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							24	30

Week 16: at New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	3	7	0	10
Giants	7	21	0	0	28

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Date: December 21, 1985
Game time: 12:30 pm EST
Game weather: 27 °F (−2.8 °C), wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn), wind chill 15 °F or −9.4 °C
Game attendance: 66,785
Referee: Jerry Markbreit
TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
^[20]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Giants
1					Giants	Joe Morris 9-yard touchdown run, Eric Schubert kick good	0	7
2					Steelers	26-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	7
2					Giants	Joe Morris 65-yard touchdown run, Eric Schubert kick good	3	14
2					Giants	Joe Morris 1-yard touchdown run, Eric Schubert kick good	3	21
2					Giants	Bobby Johnson 23-yard touchdown reception from Phil Simms, Eric Schubert kick good	3	28
3					Steelers	John Stallworth 34-yard touchdown reception from Scott Campbell, Gary Anderson kick good	10	28
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							10	28

Standings

AFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Cleveland Browns⁽³⁾	8	8	0	.500	4–2	7–5	287	294	L1
Cincinnati Bengals	7	9	0	.438	4–2	5–7	441	437	L2
Pittsburgh Steelers	7	9	0	.438	3–3	6–6	379	355	L1
Houston Oilers	5	11	0	.313	1–5	4–8	284	412	L4

References

^ 1985 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ 1985 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ 1986 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ "1985 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
^ Pro Football Reference; Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 8th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – September 16th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 22nd, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 30th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins – October 6th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys – October 13th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 20th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – October 27th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 3rd, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs – November 10th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – November 17th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 24th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 1st, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers – December 8th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 15th, 1985
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants – December 21st, 1985

External links

1985 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Profootballreference.com
1985 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com

[1] 1985 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.

[2] 1985 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.

[3] 1986 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.

[4] "1985 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 23, 2014.

[5] Pro Football Reference; Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 8th, 1985

[6] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – September 16th, 1985

[7] Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 22nd, 1985

[8] Pro Football Reference; Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 30th, 1985

[9] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins – October 6th, 1985

[10] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys – October 13th, 1985

[11] Pro Football Reference; St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 20th, 1985

[12] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – October 27th, 1985

[13] Pro Football Reference; Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 3rd, 1985

[14] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs – November 10th, 1985

[15] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – November 17th, 1985

[16] Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 24th, 1985

[17] Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 1st, 1985

[18] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers – December 8th, 1985

[19] Pro Football Reference; Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 15th, 1985

[20] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants – December 21st, 1985

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

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 2025 2026
Bold indicates Super Bowl victory Italics indicates Super Bowl appearance

Pittsburgh Steelers
Founded in 1933 Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates (1933–1939) Based and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Franchise	History All-Time Team 50th Season Legends 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 "Pennsylvania Polka" (song) "Renegade" "Here We Go" "Black and Yellow" YinzCam This Is Us Steel Curtain Roller Coaster
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 Killer B's 2019 brawl
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 (25)	1972 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1983 1984 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 2001 2002 2004 2007 2008 2010 2014 2016 2017 2020 2025
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