1986 Pittsburgh Steelers season

1986 Pittsburgh Steelers season
1986 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Owner	Art Rooney
General manager	Dick Haley
Head coach	Chuck Noll
Home field	Three Rivers Stadium
Results
Record	6–10
Division place	3rd AFC Central
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	RB Earnest Jackson; LB Mike Merriweather
AP All-Pros	None
Team MVP	Bryan Hinkle
Team ROY	Anthony Henton
	← 1985; Steelers seasons; 1987 →;

The 1986 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise’s 54th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League. The Steelers failed to improve upon their 7–9 record from 1985: they instead finished 6–10 and failed to reach the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1986 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
1	9	John Rienstra	Guard	Temple
2	36	Gerald Williams	Guard	Auburn
3	67	Bubby Brister	Quarterback	Northeast Louisiana
4	94	Bill Callahan	Safety	Pittsburgh
5	122	Erroll Tucker	Cornerback	Utah
5	135	Brent Jones *	Tight end	Santa Clara
6	148	Domingo Bryant	Safety	Texas A&M
7	175	Rodney Carter	Running back	Purdue
8	207	Cap Boso	Tight end	Illinois
9	234	Anthony Henton	Linebacker	Troy State
10	260	Warren Seitz	Wide receiver	Missouri
11	287	Larry Station	Linebacker	Iowa
12	314	Mike Williams	Linebacker	Tulsa
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents

1986 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player	Position	College
Andrew Baker	Wide receiver	Rutgers
Gary Barber	Linebacker	Youngstown State
Brian Blankenship	Guard	Nebraska
Eric Wycoff	Running back	Illinois

Personnel

Staff

**1986 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 Assistant publicity director – Dan Edwards 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 College talent scout – Joe Krupa Talent scout – East – Tom Donahoe Talent scout – Midwest – Jesse Kaye 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 & training coach – Walt Evans Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli Physician, orthopedic – Dr. Thomas W. Cowan Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber Neurological surgery consultant – Dr. Joseph C. Maroon Physician, M.D. – Dr. Richard Rydze Physician, consultant – Dr. Abraham J.Twerski Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates Trainer – Ralph Berlin Trainer – Fran Feld Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi Field manager – Rodgers Freyvogel Video & film director – Bob McCartney Photographers – Mike Fabus, Bill Amatucci ^[1]

Roster

**1986 Pittsburgh Steelers roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 6 Bubby Brister 10 Scott Campbell 16 Mark Malone Running backs (RB) 34 Walter Abercrombie 24 Rich Erenberg 36 David Hughes 43 Earnest Jackson 30 Frank Pollard 40 Dan Reeder 45 Chuck Sanders Wide receivers (WR) 88 Jessie Britt 83 Louis Lipps 82 John Stallworth 85 Calvin Sweeney 87 Weegie Thompson Tight ends (TE) 86 Preston Gothard 80 Warren Seitz		Offensive linemen (OL) 66 Mark Behning T 62 Tunch Ilkin T 74 Terry Long G 65 Ray Pinney T 63 Pete Rostosky T 51 Dan Turk C 52 Mike Webster C 73 Craig Wolfley G Defensive linemen (DL) 67 Gary Dunn NT 92 Keith Gary DE 64 Edmund Nelson DE/DT 99 Darryl Sims DE 93 Keith Willis DE 98 Gerald Williams		Linebackers (LB) 91 Gregg Carr ILB 56 Robin Cole ILB 96 Anthony Henton OLB 53 Bryan Hinkle OLB 65 Chris Hughes ILB 50 David Little ILB 57 Mike Merriweather OLB 90 Larry Station ILB 55 Dennis Winston ILB Defensive backs (DB) 33 Harvey Clayton CB 42 Dave Edwards DB 37 Donnie Elder 28 Lupe Sanchez 41 Chris Sheffield DB 31 Donnie Shell SS 26 John Swain CB 21 Eric Williams FS 22 Rick Woods Special teams 51 Dan Turk 52 Mike Webster 1 Gary Anderson K 18 Harry Newsome				Practice squad ^[2] ^[3] ^[4] Reserve 38 Donald Herron CB (IR) 44 Rodney Carter RB (IR) 84 Glenn McCombs TE (IR) 76 Jerry Quick T (IR) 60 Randy Rasmussen G/C (IR) 79 John Rienstra G (IR) 20 Erroll Tucker (IR) 79 Hans Wiederkehr G (IR) 49 Dwayne Woodruff CB (IR) Rookies in italics 50 active, 9 reserve

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Game site	Kickoff (ET)	TV	Result	Record
1	Saturday, August 9	Chicago Bears	Three Rivers Stadium	7:00 p.m.	WTAE	L 23–13	0–1
2	Friday, August 15	at Washington Redskins	RFK Stadium	8:00 p.m.	WTAE	L 27–24 (OT)	0–2
3	Friday, August 22	at Dallas Cowboys	Texas Stadium	9:00 p.m.	WTAE	W 41–28	1–2
4	Saturday, August 30	at New York Giants	Giants Stadium	8:00 p.m.	WTAE	L 17–3	1–3

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Game site	Kickoff (ET)	TV	Result	Record
1	Sunday, September 7	at Seattle Seahawks	Kingdome	4:00 p.m.	NBC	L 30–0	0–1
2	Monday, September 15	Denver Broncos	Three Rivers Stadium	9:00 p.m.	ABC	L 21–10	0–2
3	Sunday, September 21	at Minnesota Vikings	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 31–7	0–3
4	Sunday, September 28	at Houston Oilers	Astrodome	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 22–16 (OT)	1–3
5	Sunday, October 5	Cleveland Browns	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 27–24	1–4
6	Monday, October 13	at Cincinnati Bengals	Riverfront Stadium	9:00 p.m.	ABC	L 24–22	1–5
7	Sunday, October 19	New England Patriots	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 34–0	1–6
8	Sunday, October 26	Cincinnati Bengals	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 30–9	2–6
9	Sunday, November 2	Green Bay Packers	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	CBS	W 27–3	3–6
10	Sunday, November 9	at Buffalo Bills	Rich Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 16–12	3–7
11	Sunday, November 16	Houston Oilers	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 21–10	4–7
12	Sunday, November 23	at Cleveland Browns	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 37–31 (OT)	4–8
13	Sunday, November 30	at Chicago Bears	Soldier Field	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 13–10 (OT)	4–9
14	Sunday, December 7	Detroit Lions	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	CBS	W 27–17	5–9
15	Saturday, December 13	at New York Jets	Giants Stadium	12:30 p.m.	NBC	W 45–24	6–9
16	Sunday, December 21	Kansas City Chiefs	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 24–19	6–10

Week 1: at Seattle Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	0	0	0	0
Seahawks	0	6	10	14	30

at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington

Date: September 7, 1986
Game time: 4:00 PM EDT
Game weather: Dome
Game attendance: 61,461
Referee: Jerry Seeman
TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play by play), Dave Rowe (color commentator)
^[5]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Seahawks
2					Seahawks	Daryl Turner 4-yard touchdown reception from Dave Krieg, Norm Johnson kick no good	0	6
3					Seahawks	Interception returned 18 yards for touchdown by Dave Brown, Norm Johnson kick good	0	13
3					Seahawks	24-yard field goal by Norm Johnson	0	16
4					Seahawks	Steve Largent 10-yard touchdown reception from Dave Krieg, Norm Johnson kick good	0	23
4					Seahawks	Randall Morris 49-yard touchdown run, Norm Johnson kick good	0	30
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							0	30

Week 2 vs. Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	7	7	7	21
Steelers	0	0	3	7	10

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: September 15, 1986
Game time: 9:00 PM EDT
Game weather: 64 °F (17.8 °C), wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
Game attendance: 57,305
Referee: Bob McElwee
TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels (play by play), Frank Gifford (color commentator)
^[6]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Broncos	Steelers
2					Broncos	Steve Watson 21-yard touchdown reception from John Elway, Rich Karlis kick good	7	0
3					Steelers	42-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	7	3
3					Broncos	Steve Sewell 34-yard touchdown reception from John Elway, Rich Karlis kick good	14	3
4					Steelers	Rich Erenberg 7-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	14	10
4					Broncos	Sammy Winder 13-yard touchdown reception from John Elway, Rich Karlis kick good	21	10
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							21	10

Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings

Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	0	0	0	7
Vikings	14	3	7	7	31

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: September 21, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
Game weather: Dome
Game attendance: 56,795
Referee: Ben Dreith
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
^[7]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Vikings
1					Vikings	Hassan Jones 55-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Kramer, Chuck Nelson kick good	0	7
1					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 18-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	7	7
1					Vikings	Hassan Jones 16-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Kramer, Chuck Nelson kick good	7	14
2					Vikings	48-yard field goal by Chuck Nelson	7	17
3					Vikings	Allen Rice 12-yard touchdown run, Chuck Nelson kick good	7	24
4					Vikings	Jim Gustafson 9-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Kramer, Chuck Nelson kick good	7	31
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							7	31

Week 4: at Houston Oilers

Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Steelers	0	3	10	3	6	22
Oilers	3	7	0	6	0	16

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Date: September 28, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
Game weather: Dome
Game attendance: 42,001
Referee: Gordon McCarter
TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play by play), Sam Rutigliano (color commentator)
^[8]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Oilers
1					Oilers	45-yard field goal by Tony Zendejas	0	3
2					Steelers	42-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	3
2					Oilers	Ernest Givins 35-yard touchdown reception from Warren Moon, Tony Zendejas kick good	3	10
3					Steelers	Calvin Sweeney 19-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	10	10
3					Steelers	45-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	13	10
4					Oilers	29-yard field goal by Tony Zendejas	13	13
4					Oilers	28-yard field goal by Tony Zendejas	13	16
4					Steelers	23-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	16	16
5					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 3-yard touchdown run, 2-point {{{2pt type}}} {{{2pt result}}}	16	22
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							22	16

Week 5: vs. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	10	7	3	7	27
Steelers	0	14	7	3	24

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: October 5, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), wind 17 miles per hour (27 km/h; 15 kn)
Game attendance: 57,327
Referee: Dick Jorgensen
TV announcers: Charlie Jones (play by play), Jimmy Cefalo (color commentator)
^[9]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Browns	Steelers
1					Browns	Webster Slaughter 15-yard touchdown reception from Bernie Kosar, Matt Bahr kick good	7	0
1					Browns	22-yard field goal by Matt Bahr	10	0
2					Steelers	Mark Malone 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	10	7
2					Steelers	Rich Erenberg 5-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	10	14
2					Browns	Gerald McNeil 100-yard kickoff return for touchdown	17	14
3					Steelers	Louis Lipps 6-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	17	20
3					Browns	39-yard field goal by Matt Bahr	20	20
4					Steelers	45-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	20	23
4					Browns	Earnest Byner 4-yard touchdown run, Matt Bahr kick good	27	23
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							27	23

This was Cleveland’s first win in Pittsburgh since 1969.

Week 6: at Cincinnati Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	2	10	3	22
Bengals	7	7	0	10	24

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Date: October 13, 1986
Game time: 9:00 PM EDT
Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
Game attendance: 54,283
Referee: Bob Frederic
TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play by play), Lynn Swann (color commentator)
^[10]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Bengals
1					Bengals	Rodney Holman 32-yard touchdown reception from Boomer Esiason, Jim Breech kick good	0	7
1					Steelers	Bubby Brister 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	7	7
2					Bengals	Tim McGee 7-yard touchdown reception from Boomer Esiason, Jim Breech kick good	7	14
2					Steelers	Jeff Hayes forced out of end zone	9	14
3					Steelers	Earnest Jackson 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	16	14
3					Steelers	24-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	19	14
4					Bengals	Jeff Hayes 61-yard run for touchdown off fake punt	19	21
4					Bengals	40-yard field goal by Jim Breech	19	24
4					Bengals	44-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	22	24
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							22	24

Week 7: vs. New England Patriots

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	10	14	7	3	34
Steelers	0	0	0	0	0

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: October 19, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
Game weather: 43 °F (6.1 °C), wind 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h; 3.5 kn)
Game attendance: 54,743
Referee: Pat Haggerty
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
^[11]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Patriots	Steelers
1					Patriots	31-yard field goal by Tony Franklin	3	0
1					Patriots	Stephen Starring 43-yard touchdown reception from Steve Grogan, Tony Franklin kick good	10	0
2					Patriots	Interception returned 37 yards for touchdown by Fred Marion, Tony Franklin kick good	17	0
2					Patriots	Tony Collins 10-yard touchdown reception from Steve Grogan, Tony Franklin kick good	24	0
3					Patriots	Willie Scott 2-yard touchdown reception from Steve Grogan, Tony Franklin kick good	31	0
4					Patriots	36-yard field goal by Tony Franklin	34	0
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							34	0

Week 8: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	3	3	3	9
Steelers	3	14	6	7	30

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: October 26, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 55 °F (12.8 °C), wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
Game attendance: 50,815
Referee: Jim Tunney
TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play by play), Reggie Rucker (color commentator)
^[12]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Bengals	Steelers
1					Steelers	31-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	0	3
2					Steelers	Rich Erenberg 10-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	0	10
2					Bengals	19-yard field goal by Jim Breech	3	10
2					Steelers	Weegie Thompson 9-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	3	17
3					Steelers	43-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	20
3					Steelers	41-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	23
3					Bengals	40-yard field goal by Jim Breech	6	23
4					Steelers	Earnest Jackson 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	6	30
4					Bengals	31-yard field goal by Jim Breech	9	30
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							9	30

Week 9: vs. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	0	3	0	0	3
Steelers	10	3	7	7	27

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: November 2, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 52 °F (11.1 °C), wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
Game attendance: 52,831
Referee: Chuck Heberling
TV announcers (CBS): Jim Hill (play by play), Johnny Morris (color commentator)
^[13]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Packers	Steelers
1					Steelers	25-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	0	3
1					Steelers	Weegie Thompson 18-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	0	10
2					Steelers	40-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	0	13
2					Packers	34-yard field goal by Al Del Greco	3	13
3					Steelers	Weegie Thompson 9-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	3	20
4					Steelers	Weegie Thompson 6-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	3	27
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							3	27

Week 10: at Buffalo Bills

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	0	12	0	12
Bills	6	7	0	3	16

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Date: November 9, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 55 °F (12.8 °C), wind 27 miles per hour (43 km/h; 23 kn)
Game attendance: 72,000
Referee: Gordon McCarter
TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play by play), Reggie Rucker (color commentator)
^[14]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Bills
1					Bills	Andre Reed 3-yard touchdown reception from Jim Kelly, Scott Norwood kick no good	0	6
2					Bills	Rob Riddick 5-yard touchdown run, Scott Norwood kick good	0	13
3					Steelers	Earnest Jackson 5-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick no good	6	13
3					Steelers	Weegie Thompson 11-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick no good	12	13
4					Bills	29-yard field goal by Scott Norwood	12	16
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							12	16

Week 11: vs. Houston Oilers

Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	7	3	0	0	10
Steelers	14	7	0	0	21

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: November 16, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 39 °F (3.9 °C), wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
Game attendance: 49,724
Referee: Red Cashion
TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play by play), Reggie Rucker (color commentator)
^[15]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Oilers	Steelers
1					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 8-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	0	7
1					Oilers	Ernest Givins 33-yard touchdown reception from Warren Moon, Tony Zendejas kick good	7	7
1					Steelers	Earnest Jackson 3-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	7	14
2					Steelers	Rich Erenberg 17-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	7	21
2					Oilers	44-yard field goal by Tony Zendejas	10	21
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							10	21

Week 12: at Cleveland Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Steelers	7	7	7	10	0	31
Browns	0	21	7	3	6	37

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Date: November 23, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 40 °F (4.4 °C), wind 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn)
Game attendance: 76,452
Referee: Pat Haggerty
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
^[16]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Browns
1					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	7	0
2					Browns	Curtis Dickey 2-yard touchdown run, Matt Bahr kick good	7	7
2					Browns	Kevin Mack 1-yard touchdown run, Matt Bahr kick good	7	14
2					Steelers	Walter Abercrombie 38-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	14	14
2					Browns	Ozzie Newsome 20-yard touchdown reception from Bernie Kosar, Matt Bahr kick good	14	21
3					Steelers	Mark Malone 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	21	21
3					Browns	Curtis Dickey 4-yard touchdown run, Matt Bahr kick good	21	28
4					Steelers	Mark Malone 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	28	28
4					Browns	25-yard field goal by Matt Bahr	28	31
4					Browns	40-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	31	31
OT					Browns	Webster Slaughter 36-yard touchdown reception from Bernie Kosar, kick good	31	37
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							31	37

Week 13: at Chicago Bears

Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Steelers	0	3	7	0	0	10
Bears	3	0	0	7	3	13

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: November 30, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 40 °F (4.4 °C), wind 19 miles per hour (31 km/h; 17 kn)
Game attendance: 61,425
Referee: Jerry Seeman
TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play by play), Jimmy Cefalo (color commentator)
^[17]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Steelers	Bears
1					Bears	39-yard field goal by Kevin Butler	0	3
2					Steelers	30-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	3	3
3					Steelers	Preston Gothard 12-yard touchdown reception from Harry Newsome, Gary Anderson kick good	10	3
4					Bears	Walter Payton 3-yard touchdown run, Kevin Butler kick good	10	10
OT					Bears	42-yard field goal by Kevin Butler	10	13
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							10	13

Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	10	7	0	17
Steelers	3	7	14	3	27

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania''

Date: December 7, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 40 °F (4.4 °C), wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
Game attendance: 45,042
Referee: Bob Frederic
TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play by play), Dick Vermeil (color commentator)
^[18]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Lions	Steelers
1					Steelers	26-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	0	3
2					Steelers	Louis Lipps 12-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	0	10
2					Lions	Garry James 60-yard touchdown run, Eddie Murray kick good	7	10
2					Lions	30-yard field goal by Eddie Murray	10	10
3					Lions	Jeff Chadwick 1-yard touchdown reception from Joe Ferguson, Eddie Murray kick good	17	10
3					Steelers	Earnest Jackson 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	17	17
3					Steelers	Louis Lipps 39-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good	17	24
4					Steelers	28-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	17	27
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							17	27

Week 15 at Jets

Week Fifteen: Pittsburgh Steelers (5–9) at New York Jets (10–4)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	17	0	28	45
Jets	0	14	3	7	24

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Date: December 13, 1986
Game time: 12:30 PM EST
Game weather: Clear, 32 °F (0 °C)
Game attendance: 58,044
Referee: Dick Hantak
TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg & Merlin Olsen
Pro-Football-Reference.com, The Football Database

Game information

First quarter no scoring Second quarter

PIT – Walter Abercrombie 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 12:10. Steelers 7–0. Drive:
NYJ – Jo-Jo Townsell 93-yard kickoff return (Pat Leahy kick), 11:54. Tie 7–7.
PIT – Gary Anderson 36-yard field goal, 9:07. Steelers 10–7. Drive:
PIT – Walter Abercrombie 7-yard pass from Mark Malone (Gary Anderson kick), 1:54. Steelers 17—7. Drive:
NYJ – Kurt Sohn 24-yard pass from Ken O'Brien (Pat Leahy kick), 0:14. Steelers 17–14. Drive:

Third quarter

NYJ – Pat Leahy 18-yard field goal, 9:04. Tie 17–17. Drive:

Fourth quarter

PIT – Mark Malone 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 11:11. Steelers 24–17. Drive:
PIT – John Stallworth 40-yard pass from Mark Malone (Gary Anderson kick), 7:48. Steelers 31–17. Drive:
PIT – Lupe Sanchez 67-yard interception return (Gary Anderson kick), 6:00. Steelers 38–17.
NYJ – Mickey Shuler 5-yard pass from Pat Ryan (Pat Leahy kick), 2:47. Steelers 38–24. Drive:
PIT – Walter Abercrombie 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 0:37. Steelers 45–24. Drive:

Top passers

PIT – Mark Malone – 16/27, 189 yards, 2 TD, INT
NYJ – Ken O'Brien – 20/30, 197 yards, TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

PIT – Earnest Jackson – 23 rushes, 101 yards
NYJ – Freeman McNeil – 23 rushes, 137 yards

Top receivers

PIT – John Stallworth – 5 receptions, 94 yards, TD
NYJ – Mickey Shuler – 8 receptions, 69 yards, TD

Week 16: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	17	0	0	24
Steelers	0	6	7	6	19

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania''

Date: December 21, 1986
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 32 °F (0 °C), wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn), wind chill 25 °F or −3.9 °C
Game attendance: 47,150
Referee: Gene Barth
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
^[19]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Chiefs	Steelers
1					Chiefs	Deron Cherry recovered blocked punt in end zone for touchdown	7	0
2					Chiefs	47-yard field goal by Nick Lowery	10	0
2					Steelers	31-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	10	3
2					Chiefs	Boyce Green 97 kickoff return for touchdown	17	3
2					Steelers	31-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	17	6
2					Chiefs	Lloyd Burruss 78 blocked field goal return for touchdown	24	6
3					Steelers	Mark Malone 9-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good	24	13
4					Steelers	31-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	24	16
4					Steelers	26-yard field goal by Gary Anderson	24	19
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							24	19

Standings

AFC Central
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Cleveland Browns⁽¹⁾	12	4	0	.750	5–1	10–2	391	310	W5
Cincinnati Bengals	10	6	0	.625	3–3	7–5	409	394	W1
Pittsburgh Steelers	6	10	0	.375	3–3	4–8	307	336	L1
Houston Oilers	5	11	0	.313	1–5	3–9	274	329	W2

References

^ 1986 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ 1986 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ 1987 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ "1986 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks – September 7th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers - September 15th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings – September 21st, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – September 28th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 5th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – October 13th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 19th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 26th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 2nd, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills - November 9th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 16th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – November 23rd, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears – November 30th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 7th, 1986
^ Pro Football Reference; Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 21st, 1986

External links

1986 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Profootballreference.com
1986 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com

[1] 1986 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.

[2] 1986 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.

[3] 1987 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.

[4] "1986 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 23, 2014.

[5] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks – September 7th, 1986

[6] Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers - September 15th, 1986

[7] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings – September 21st, 1986

[8] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – September 28th, 1986

[9] Pro Football Reference; Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 5th, 1986

[10] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – October 13th, 1986

[11] Pro Football Reference; New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 19th, 1986

[12] Pro Football Reference; Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 26th, 1986

[13] Pro Football Reference; Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 2nd, 1986

[14] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills - November 9th, 1986

[15] Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 16th, 1986

[16] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – November 23rd, 1986

[17] Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears – November 30th, 1986

[18] Pro Football Reference; Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 7th, 1986

[19] Pro Football Reference; Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 21st, 1986

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