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Steelers vs. 49ers: The 1984 Classic That Foiled an Undefeated Season

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Whenever fans in the Steel City reflect on the great tradition of Pittsburgh Steelers football, they're among an elite class.  After all, few teams in the NFL have given their loyal followers so many memories, wonderful wins and timeless moments.

The A-list for most would include the Immaculate Reception, Santonio Holmes' fingertip catch and toe-tapping touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII, Lambert lambasting Cliff Harris and Harbaugh's heart-wrenching Hail Mary attempt at Three Rivers among others.

One of the proudest moments for the Black and Gold came in an era that isn't remembered as dominant for the City of Champions.  In fact, on October 14, 1984, Pittsburgh traveled to Candlestick Park as a shell of the dynasty that had won its fourth Lombardi Trophy less than five years earlier.  Lost in the mix of great moments in Pittsburgh sports history, the contest literally may have changed NFL history against all odds.

In today's game, deep undefeated stretches seem common.  Teams finish anywhere from 14-2 to the once unthinkable 16-0, at least one team vying for an undefeated campaign late into December almost annually.  In 2009, both the Saints and Colts (who are 0-13 in 2011, ironically) didn't lose until the final month. 

Despite some great teams' best efforts, only one team has still accomplished the goal of winning every game.  Unlike today, teams didn't go deep into December unblemished in the 80s.  The 1985 Bears, who traveled to Miami with a 13-0 record, were rarities.  San Francisco could have easily joined the fraternity, if not finished undefeated, if not for Pittsburgh.

The 49ers, eventual champions, would end Super Bowl Sunday with an 18-1 mark.  Their only blemish came against the Men of Steel.  The emotionally charged contest is an accomplishment not recalled nearly often enough in western Pennsylvania.

Making Pittsburgh's disruption of history more impressive was the quality of the opponent.

The San Francisco 49ers were revolutionizing the passing game.  The West Coast offense has become a fancy part of football lingo when Bill Walsh adopted the philosophy from his coordinating days with the Cincinnati Bengals.  Refining the offensive system, Walsh implanted the perfect quarterback to exact his vision with Joe Montana.





The defense for the pride of California also had a champion's pedigree.  The secondary was stout, with Ronnie Lott making like a Mel Blount for the 80s, alongside other defensive stars such as Erik Wright and Fred Dean . The unit had 51 sacks and 25 interceptions, assuring that if their high-powered offense could overwhelm opponents mostly without having to outscore them in a shootout.

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Those positive vibes were put on hiatus that mid-October.  A former, proud champion came to California to face the new-age face of NFL greatness.   With a .500 record and starting backup quarterback Mark Malone, the Steelers were huge underdogs against the sublime pride of the NFL public.




With odds already stacked against, what would the chances of an upset be in a Malone vs. Montana setup?

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Slim and none.



At last, Joe Montana's offense put together a march of their own.  Not to be shut out in the first half, Joe "Cool" scampered for a seven-yard score moments before intermission, making the halftime score of 10-7 closer than the dominant Steelers' effort. 

While Pittsburgh's offense got first downs in the third quarter, drives stalled shortly after the sticks moved.  Yet, in a fine showing, the Steelers defense—coordinated by Tony Dungy and led by sack-master Mark Merriweather (15 sacks in '84) and interception machine Donnie Shell (seven)—returned the favor to San Francisco, not allowing the typically rhythmic offense to get its normal poetry into motion. 

Toward the end of the third quarter, the defense was unable to get pressure on Montana, and the undefeated 49ers started to have their way.  After an early afternoon of rest of execution, the approaching evening invited fatigue and execution (of a different kind) with it.  San Francisco tied the game to start the fourth quarter.

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Then, after the Steelers offense stalled, which had become a disconcerting habit after halftime, Joe Montana and his deadly attack took to the field again.  This time, the Steelers' hopes for an upset took a huge hit.  Montana hit Wendell Tyler for the go-ahead score, and the 49ers had overcome a slow start to lead 17-10.

Order had been reestablished at Candlestick Park, and the world suddenly made sense again to NFL fans.  Few were the Steelers fans, despite their deepest hopes for victory, that didn't have self-doubt trickle into their minds.  Despite a perfect start that saw everything fall into place for Pittsburgh, San Francisco had turned momentum completely around.

Then, it happened.  The offense had a gut check.


Leading the way in the contest was Frank Pollard with 24 carried for 105 yards.  Most of those were tough-earned, physical, five-yard bursts.


Three minutes remained for "Montana the Maestro's" magic.

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Instead of magic, hopeful 49ers fans and skeptical Steelers fans got tricked.  Right outside linebacker Bryan Hinkle intercepted Montana, returning the football 43 yards deep into Steelers territory. 

While they couldn't put the game away from near the end zone, the Steelers offense watched as Anderson kicked the ball through the upright from 21 yards away.  Pittsburgh led 20-17, but time remained once again, forcing fans to consider Montana for a second time.

This time, the legendary quarterback answered the call.

With 1:42 remaining, Montana hit Dwight Clark to the San Francisco 38-yard line, hurried to the line before hitting Earl Cooper, found Cooper again to midfield, and the rhythmic nature of the two-minute drive was frightening to start.

After consecutive completions to Earl Cooper, Montana hit his fourth pass and nailed his intended receiver between the numbers- who couldn't hang on for the catch inbounds.

Any reprieve felt by Steelers Country was short-lived as Joe hit Craig for a first down before getting two more completions to Cooper, setting up San Francisco at the Steelers 20-yard line.  With seconds left, Ray Wersching came in to attempt a 37-yard field goal.  A successful field goal would send the game into overtime, giving the 49ers a shot to improve their record to 7-0.

Only now do we realize that his miss quite possibly prevented the second-ever undefeated NFL season.  As his attempt sailed wide, 49ers fans fell into silence, while the elated Steelers jumped for joy!

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Their huge upset propelled Pittsburgh to 4-3.  On one of the most underrated games in the history of a great franchise, the team recently removed from greatness beat the best team in the NFL.

The annals of time haven't recalled the '80s Steelers with fondness, despite their penchant for reaching the postseason and suffering losing seasons a deceptively low three times.  Meanwhile, history remembers the 49ers as a legendary squad, rife with talent that knew how to win like men.

These reflections are, at least to a degree, accurate.  Still, history doesn't recall any 49ers teams as undefeated.

Additionally, on one random Sunday in 1984, those who look back will recall the one day that reputations and prognostications were simply irrelevant. 


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