1980 Pittsburgh Steelers season
The 1980 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 48th season in the National Football League.
In 1980, the Steelers struggled for the first time in many years. The aging defense was not as effective as it had been in the 1978 and '79 seasons, falling from 2nd to 15th in yards allowed. The Steelers also surrendered 313 points, ranked 15th in the league, compared to 262 points (5th in the league) the previous season. The Pittsburgh defense only garnered 18 quarterback sacks.
The offense was still plagued with 42 total turnovers, 42 total,[1] but ranking 6th in total offense, and scoring 352 points.[2]
Despite the team's troubles, the Steelers could have again obtained home field advantage throughout the playoffs had they not lost several close games, including games against Cincinnati and Cleveland in which they lost despite having large leads in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh remained in the playoff hunt until a 28–13 loss to Buffalo in week 12 and then a 6–0 loss to Houston effectively eliminated Pittsburgh from the postseason.
To many, these two losses marked the end of the Steeler Dynasty. Several key players retired after the 1980 season and the team was never the same again. The 1980 season was the first in which the Steelers did not qualify for the playoffs since 1971.
Personnel
Staff
1980 Pittsburgh Steelers staff |
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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
- Assistant Publicity Director – John Evenson
- 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 – William Nunn, Jr.
- Pro Talent Scout – Tom Modrak
- Talent Scout – West Coast – Bob Schmitz
- College Talent Scout – Joe Krupa
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Strength and conditioning
- Paul Uram *Mike Walker *Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber
- Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates
- Physician, Orthopedic – Dr. Paul Steele
- Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek
- Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli
- Trainer – Ralph Berlin
- Assistant Trainer – Robert Osborne
- Equipment Manager – Anthony Parisi
- Field Manager – Bruce J. Lowry
- Film Director – Bob McCartney
- Photographer – Harry Homa
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Roster
1980 Pittsburgh Steelers final roster |
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
Practice squad
[3]
[4]
[5]
Rookies in italics
48 Active, 7 Inactive, Practice squad
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Preseason
Schedule
Regular season
Schedule
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Houston Oilers
Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Oilers |
0 |
0 | 17 | 0 |
17 |
• Steelers |
17 |
0 | 0 | 14 |
31 |
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
| Steelers | Sidney Thornton 29-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 7–0 |
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1 |
| Steelers | Franco Harris 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 14–0 |
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1 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 27-yard field goal | Steelers 17–0 |
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3 |
| Oilers | Toni Fritsch 31-yard field goal | Steelers 17–3 |
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3 |
| Oilers | Billy Johnson 57-yard pass from Earl Campbell (Toni Fritsch kick) | Steelers 17–10 |
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3 |
| Oilers | Earl Campbell 1-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick) | Tie 17–17 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Terry Bradshaw 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 24–17 |
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4 |
| Steelers | John Stallworth 50-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 31–17 |
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Week 2: at Baltimore Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Colts
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Steelers |
3 |
10 | 0 | 7 |
20 |
Colts |
0 |
7 | 10 | 0 |
17 |
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 25-yard field goal | Steelers 3–0 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 29-yard field goal | Steelers 6–0 |
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2 |
| Colts | Sanders Shiver 34-yard interception return (Steve Mike-Mayer kick) | Colts 7–6 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Franco Harris 10-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 13–7 |
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3 |
| Colts | Ray Butler 15-yard pass from Bert Jones (Steve Mike-Mayer kick) | Colts 14–13 |
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3 |
| Colts | Steve Mike-Mayer 20-yard field goal | Colts 17–13 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Jim Smith 24-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 20–17 |
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Week 3: at Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Steelers |
0 |
14 | 7 | 7 |
28 |
• Bengals |
10 |
3 | 0 | 17 |
30 |
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
| Bengals | Ray Griffin 28-yard interception return (Ian Sunter kick) | Bengals 7–0 |
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1 |
| Bengals | Ian Sunter 27-yard field goal | Bengals 10–0 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Jim Smith 45-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Bengals 10–7 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Lynn Swann 14-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 14–10 |
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2 |
| Bengals | Ian Sunter 42-yard field goal | Steelers 14–13 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Lynn Swann 68-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 21–13 |
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4 |
| Bengals | Isaac Curtis 18-yard pass from Jack Thompson (Ian Sunter kick) | Steelers 21–20 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Greg Hawthorne 4-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 28–20 |
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4 |
| Bengals | Don Bass 22-yard pass from Jack Thompson (Ian Sunter kick) | Steelers 28–23 |
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4 |
| Bengals | Ian Sunter 21-yard field goal | Bengals 30–28 |
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Week 4: vs. Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Bears |
3 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
3 |
• Steelers |
7 |
17 | 7 | 7 |
38 |
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
| Bears | Bob Thomas 28-yard field goal | Bears 3–0 |
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1 |
| Steelers | Jim Smith 21-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 7–3 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 20-yard field goal | Steelers 10–3 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Jim Smith 29-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 17–3 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Jim Smith 23-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 24–3 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Bennie Cunningham 2-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 31–3 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Franco Harris 9-yard pass from Cliff Stoudt (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 38–3 |
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Week 5: at Minnesota Vikings
Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Steelers |
6 |
10 | 7 | 0 |
23 |
Vikings |
3 |
0 | 0 | 14 |
17 |
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
| Steelers | Calvin Sweeney 21-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (kick failed) | Steelers 6–0 |
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1 |
| Vikings | Rick Danmeier 35-yard field goal | Steelers 6–3 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Franco Harris 4-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 13–3 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 28-yard field goal | Steelers 16–3 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Terry Bradshaw 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 23–3 |
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4 |
| Vikings | Sammy White 21-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick) | Steelers 23–10 |
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4 |
| Vikings | Tommy Kramer 4-yard run (Rick Danmeier kick) | Steelers 23–17 |
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Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Bengals |
10 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
17 |
Steelers |
0 |
0 | 16 | 0 |
16 |
- Date: Sunday, October 12
- Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 53,668
- Referee: Fred Silva
- TV announcers (NBC): Sam Nover and Bob Trumpy
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Week 7 : vs. Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Raiders |
7 |
21 | 7 | 10 |
45 |
Steelers |
10 |
14 | 10 | 0 |
34 |
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
11:59 | Steelers | Jim Smith 19-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 7–0 |
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1 |
9:27 | Steelers | Matt Bahr 18-yard field goal | Steelers 10–0 |
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1 |
7:22 | Raiders | Kenny King 27-yard run (Chris Bahr kick) | Steelers 10–7 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Terry Hawthorne 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 17–7 |
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2 |
5:22 | Raiders | Mark van Eeghen 1-yard run (Chris Bahr kick) | Steelers 17–14 |
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2 |
3:05 | Raiders | Rod Martin 34-yard fumble return (Chris Bahr kick) | Raiders 21–17 |
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2 |
1:22 | Raiders | Morris Bradshaw 45-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Chris Bahr kick) | Raiders 28–17 |
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2 |
0:10 | Steelers | Jim Smith 13-yard pass from Cliff Stoudt (Matt Bahr kick) | Raiders 28–24 |
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3 |
12:36 | Raiders | Cliff Branch 56-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Chris Bahr kick) | Raiders 35–24 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Theo Bell 36-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Raiders 35–31 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 32-yard field goal | Raiders 35–34 |
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4 |
| Raiders | Cliff Branch 34-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Chris Bahr kick) | OAK 42–34 |
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4 |
0:58 | Raiders | Chris Bahr 36-yard field goal | Raiders 45–34 |
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Week 8: at Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Steelers |
10 |
3 | 13 | 0 |
26 |
• Browns |
0 |
7 | 7 | 13 |
27 |
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
| Steelers | Terry Hawthorne 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 7–0 |
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1 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 27-yard field goal | Steelers 10–0 |
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2 |
| Browns | Calvin Hill 5-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick) | Steelers 10–7 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 22-yard field goal | Steelers 13–7 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Terry Hawthorne 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 20–7 |
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3 |
| Browns | Greg Pruitt 6-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick) | Steelers 20–14 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Sidney Thornton 2-yard run (kick failed) | Steelers 26–14 |
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4 |
| Browns | Greg Pruitt 7-yard pass from Brian Sipe (kick failed) | Steelers 26–20 |
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4 |
| Browns | Ozzie Newsome 18-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick) | Browns 27–26 |
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Week 9: vs. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Packers |
7 |
7 | 0 | 6 |
20 |
• Steelers |
2 |
7 | 6 | 7 |
22 |
- Date: Sunday, November 2
- Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 52,165
- Referee: Ben Dreith
- TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
| Steelers | Safety, ball snapped out of end zone | Steelers 2–0 |
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1 |
| Packers | Gerry Ellis 7-yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Thomas Birney kick) | Packers 7–2 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Lynn Swann 7-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 9–7 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Gerry Ellis 69-yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Thomas Birney kick) | Packers 14–9 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 27-yard field goal | Packers 14–12 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 18-yard field goal | Steelers 15–14 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Rocky Bleier 4-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 22–14 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Aundra Thompson 14-yard pass from Lynn Dickey (kick blocked) | Steelers 22–20 |
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Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Steelers |
10 |
14 | 0 | 0 |
24 |
Buccaneers |
7 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
21 |
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Week 11: vs. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Browns |
0 |
13 | 0 | 0 |
13 |
• Steelers |
0 |
7 | 0 | 9 |
16 |
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Week 12: at Buffalo Bills
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Steelers |
7 |
3 | 0 | 3 |
13 |
• Bills |
7 |
7 | 7 | 7 |
28 |
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
| Steelers | Franco Harris 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 7–0 |
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1 |
| Bills | Jerry Butler 29-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick) | Tie 7–7 |
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2 |
| Bills | Jerry Butler 10-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick) | Bills 14–7 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 36-yard field goal | Bills 14–10 |
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3 |
| Bills | Curtis Brown 34-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick) | Bills 21–10 |
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4 |
| Bills | Reuben Gant 2-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick) | Bills 28–10 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 42-yard field goal | Bills 28–13 |
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Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Dolphins |
0 |
3 | 0 | 7 |
10 |
• Steelers |
0 |
13 | 3 | 7 |
23 |
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Scoring summary |
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2 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 32-yard field goal | Steelers 3–0 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Lynn Swann 30-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 10–0 |
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2 |
| Dolphins | Uwe von Schamann 42-yard field goal | Steelers 10–3 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 33-yard field goal | Steelers 13–3 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 30-yard field goal | Steelers 16–3 |
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4 |
| Dolphins | Nat Moore 31-yard pass from David Woodley (Uwe von Schamann kick) | Steelers 16–10 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Franco Harris 9-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 23–10 |
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Week 14 : at Houston Oilers
Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Steelers |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• Oilers |
0 |
0 | 3 | 3 |
6 |
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Scoring summary |
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3 |
| Oilers | Toni Fritsch 37-yard field goal | Oilers 3–0 |
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4 |
| Oilers | Toni Fritsch 33-yard field goal | Oilers 6–0 |
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Week 15: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Chiefs |
0 |
3 | 13 | 0 |
16 |
• Steelers |
7 |
0 | 0 | 14 |
21 |
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
| Steelers | Lynn Swann 9-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 7–0 |
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2 |
| Chiefs | Nick Lowery 36-yard field goal | Steelers 7–3 |
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3 |
| Chiefs | James Hadnot 3-yard run (Nick Lowery kick) | Chiefs 10–7 |
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3 |
| Chiefs | Nick Lowery 22-yard field goal | Chiefs 13–7 |
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3 |
| Chiefs | Nick Lowery 50-yard field goal | Chiefs 16–7 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Theo Bell 13-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Chiefs 16–14 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Rocky Bleier 11-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Steelers 21–16 |
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Week 16: at San Diego Chargers
Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Steelers |
0 |
3 | 7 | 7 |
17 |
• Chargers |
3 |
6 | 10 | 7 |
26 |
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Scoring summary |
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1 |
| Chargers | Rolf Benirschke 33-yard field goal | Chargers 3–0 |
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2 |
| Steelers | Matt Bahr 32-yard field goal | Tie 3–3 |
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2 |
| Chargers | Rolf Benirschke 26-yard field goal | Chargers 6–3 |
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2 |
| Chargers | Rolf Benirschke 26-yard field goal | Chagers 9–3 |
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3 |
| Chargers | Dan Fouts 1-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick) | Chargers 16–3 |
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3 |
| Steelers | Sidney Thornton 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) | Chargers 16–10 |
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3 |
| Chargers | Rolf Benirschke 33-yard field goal | Chargers 19–10 |
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4 |
| Chargers | Chuck Muncie 10-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick) | Chargers 26–10 |
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4 |
| Steelers | Bennie Cunningham 16-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) | Chargers 26–17 |
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Standings
References
- ↑ ranked 23rd in the league in 1980
- ↑ Ranked 10th in the NFL
- 1 2 1980 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
- ↑ 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
- ↑ "1980 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-12-19.
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- Founded in 1933
- Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates (1933–1939)
- Based and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Division championships (21) | |
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Conference championships (8) | |
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League championships (6) | |
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Championship seasons in bold |