1980 Steelers 0 at Oilers 6

[mcmillenandwife]

1980 Steelers 0 at Oilers 6

This game was every bit as frustrating to watch as an adult as it was when I was a kid. Five critical turnovers seal Pittsburgh's fate in spite of an inspired performance by the aging Steel Curtain. While "mathematically" still alive for a playoff berth, this loss was really the final nail in the coffin for Pittsburgh, putting an end to not only their season, but also their dynasty. With consistently terrible field position (of seven first half possessions, only one is beyond the Steelers' own 20 yard line at the 21), a patchwork offensive line, the absence of Stallworth and Smith and Swann playing with 2 cracked ribs, Pittsburgh just never gets it going offensively. Three bad interceptions, two Franco fumbles and lousy kicking by Matt Bahr result in the first shutout of the Steelers in 102 games. Meanwhile, Dave Casper is incredible for the Oilers. 

[Guest]

An inspired and courageous performance by the Steelers defense. The offense needed to execute better in key moments of this football game. The 5 turnovers basically decided the game.

[swann88]

Again, an uncharacteristic mistake by Franco ... that fumble on the first drive killed an almost sure TD drive. We could have won the game 7-6. Franco also fumbled on the opening drive on the first loss to Cinci.

[mcmillenandwife]

An inspired and courageous performance by the Steelers defense. The offense needed to execute better in key moments of this football game. The 5 turnovers basically decided the game.

Yeah, the D definitely played well enough to win. The Steeler offense was a factory of turnovers in those days. You won't win many games when you lose the turnover battle 5-1. To only give up 2 FGs in that scenario is pretty remarkable. 

Bradshaw threw three TERRIBLE picks in this game. The one in the end zone after we had driven to the Houston 2 was particularly crippling. Terry is my favorite player ever, but he had a penchant for throwing passes that made you go, "Huh???" That was one of them. Houston capitalized by converting Bradshaw's gaffe into 3 points. Franco's fumbles were equally embarrassing. Just terrible. The Steelers offense seemed unprepared and disengaged in this game.  

Did I mention Matt Bahr's horrendous kicking??? 

Again, an uncharacteristic mistake by Franco ... that fumble on the first drive killed an almost sure TD drive. We could have won the game 7-6. Franco also fumbled on the opening drive on the first loss to Cinci.

Yeah, that really set the tone because the Steelers were moving the ball well on that drive. Not sure I'd say it was uncharacteristic, though. I'm not sure how Franco escaped being labeled a fumbler... because he was a MAJOR a fumbler. Adrian Peterson kinda has that label, but AP has had 3 seasons with 7 or more fumbles. Franco had 10 seasons with more than 7 fumbles, and 3 seasons with more than 10 fumbles! This from a player who wasn't known for putting his head down and taking the big hit. Part of it is that turnovers were just "part of the game" in the 70's; there more fumbles and a LOT more INTs. And I'm not diminishing Franco's greatness. I just find it interesting in light of your observation.