1985 Pittsburgh Steelers season

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.

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

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 final roster

	Quarterbacks 10 Scott Campbell 16 Mark Malone 19 David Woodley Running backs 34 Walter Abercrombie 24 Rich Erenberg KR 30 Frank Pollard 47 Steve Morse 36 Todd Spencer KR Wide receivers 83 Louis Lipps PR 80 Frank Pokorny 82 John Stallworth 85 Calvin Sweeney 87 Weegie Thompson Tight ends 89 Bennie Cunningham 86 Preston Gothard 81 Darrell Nelson		Offensive linemen 71 Emil Boures T 76 Glen Howe T 62 Tunch Ilkin T 74 Terry Long G 65 Ray Pinney T 60 Randy Rasmussen G/C 63 Pete Rostosky T 72 Ray Snell T 52 Mike Webster C 61 Blake Wingle G 73 Craig Wolfley G Defensive linemen 78 Mark Catano NT 67 Gary Dunn NT 92 Keith Gary DE 95 John Goodman DE/NT 64 Edmund Nelson DE/DT 99 Darryl Sims DE 93 Keith Willis DE		Linebackers 91 Gregg Carr OLB 56 Robin Cole ILB 53 Bryan Hinkle OLB 90 Bob Kohrs LB/DE 50 David Little ILB 57 Mike Merriweather OLB 54 Fred Small OLB 55 Dennis Winston ILB Defensive backs 23 Chris D. Brown DB 33 Harvey Clayton CB 42 Dave Edwards DB 31 Donnie Shell SS 26 John Swain CB 25 Anthony Tuggle DB 41 Sam Washington CB 21 Eric Williams FS 49 Dwayne Woodruff CB 22 Rick Woods FS Special teams 52 Mike Webster LS  1 Gary Anderson K 18 Harry Newsome P/H		Reserve lists    Alan Andrews TE (IR) 66 Mark Behning T (IR) 29 Dwayne Hooper T (IR) 51 Dan Turk C/LS-P (IR) Practice squad [2] [3] [4] Rookies in italics 54 active, 4 inactive

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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

	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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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 2014-12-23.
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