1979 AFC Championship: Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers - Three Rivers Stadium

1979 AFC Championship: Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Three Rivers Stadium
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 26 °F (−3 °C), cloudy
Game attendance: 50,475
Referee: Jim Tunney
TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
Game information
The Steelers held the Oilers to only 24 rushing yards, but were also aided by a controversial non-touchdown call to come away with a 27-13 win. Houston jumped to a 7-0 lead with just 2:30 into the game when Vernon Perry returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown. Then after the teams exchanged field goals, Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw completed two touchdown passes, a 16-yarder to tight end Bennie Cunningham and a 20-yard one to wide receiver John Stallworth.
With the Steelers leading 17-10, the controversial play occurred during the last seconds of the third quarter after the Oilers advanced to the Pittsburgh 6-yard line. With a chance to tie the game, Quarterback Dan Pastorini threw a pass to Mike Renfro at the back of the end zone, and Renfro appeared to have caught it for a touchdown with both feet in bounds before he fell out of the end zone. TV replays suggested a catch for a touchdown. Despite this, the officials ruled the pass incomplete, saying that Renfro did not have complete control of the ball before going out of bounds. The Oilers then had to settle for a 23-yard field goal. [6] The Steelers scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to clinch the victory. A 78-yard drive ended with a field goal and running back Rocky Bleier scored on a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Steelers running back Franco Harris rushed for 85 yards and caught 6 passes for 50 yards. Houston running back Earl Campbell, the NFL's leading rusher during the season, finished the game with just 15 yards on 17 carries.
This was the second postseason meeting between the Oilers and Steelers. Pittsburgh won the only previous meeting last season.[

[@timothykozlowski2945]

1979 was the year Pittsburgh won the Superbowl and World Series

[@TWAF]

Yes they DID!!!!

[@jrodlange8099]

They actually had 3 championships in 79'. How quickly you forget the incredible turn around of the Pittsburgh Pisces led by Moses Guthrie!! Those dudes could ball!! :)

[@robbie192]

What a great game...thanks for sharing... The next Steelers playoff win at Three Rivers was 1994 against the Browns...

[@frankpalancio8471]

Like climbing into a time machine. These were the good old days in Pittsburgh

[@SteelLegends]

Bradshaw masterful.

[@pearldrumguy1]

I've watched the first 30 minutes so far and it's fantastic! The pre-game show was great! Superb quality!!

[@TWAF]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TWAF]

@TWAF one of my favorite games!

[@edwardbennett7813]

This was the Steelers last stand the next season9-7 no playoffs

[@TWAF]

Agreed. But what a stand it was 4 Super Bowls in 6 years.

[@edwardbennett7813]

@@TWAF Chuck kept the team competitive up till 85

[@hectorlopez1069]

That was a touchdown pass to renfro. It was a touchdown. Steelers got away with that one.

[@TWAF]

You are absolutely right. Although, no telling what the outcome would’ve been. As a Steeler fan, I want to say “we still would’ve won that game”. But it was a touchdown. I think it was one of the plays that encouraged and was argued for instant replay, and the challenges to come to light.

[@mrhead6856]

Even if it was called a touchdown there's still no way Houston would have won that game...no way

[@d0nKsTaH]

Chargers beat Pittsburgh in the regular season 35-7. Just think... Had they beat an injured Houston team.. They might very well have been in their first SB vs the Rams. Steelers didn't do so well historically vs the Chargers in the playoffs. They would eventually lose 31-28 (1982) and 17-13 (1995 Ch) in later years

[@TWAF]

No chance.

[@DopeyDetector]

1995? 😂😂😂 Dopey

[@dhart8451]

Stupid comment

[@DopeyDetector]

Baha what an embarrassment the oilers coach is with that dopey hat😂😂😂no wonder Houston never won anything

[@mrhead6856]

Champions overcome bad calls and win anyway....losers complain after a loss

[@TWAF]

Nobody will ever convince me that they would’ve won that game. Steelers would’ve won anyway.