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 1994 Regular Season 


1994 Steelers 9 vs Cowboys 26
In a much-hyped, eagerly anticipated opening day matchup, the Steelers put on one of the poorest offensive displays you will ever seen while the Cowboys put on one of the finest. Jittery Neil O'Donnell is sacked 9 times and is an absolute mess under the pressure of the Dallas pass rush, throwing consistently off-target passes and repeatedly curling up in a fetal ball at the first hint of pressure as the game progresses. It's quite pitiful, frankly. Meanwhile, Emmitt shines and Aikman is incredibly cool under pressure. As a Steelers fan, I'm not sure why you'd want to watch this game. Cowboys fans, enjoy.





1994 Steelers 17 at Browns 10
Cleveland jumps out to a 10-0 lead as the sloppy Steelers commit 9 penalties in the 1st quarter alone. But a long kick return by Rod Woodson jump-starts the Steelers, who turn their good field position into a score on a 31-yard O'Donnell to Thigpen strike. By halftime, Barry Foster has added a 1-yard TD to give Pittsburgh a 14-10 lead. While Vinnie Testeverde looks like an actual NFL quarterback early, Darren Perry brings him back to reality by intercepting 3 of Vinnie's 4 INTs on the day (Woodson snags the 4th). With the Steelers clinging to a 17-10 lead late in the contest, a controversial holding call on Cleveland wipes out a Browns TD in the final moments and keeps the game from OT.





1994 Steelers 31 vs Colts 21
Throwback game. Oh, those horrible uni's! Indy returns the opening kick 95 yards for a TD, then blasts O'Donnell a few plays later and returns his fumble 78 yards for another TD. Enter Barry Foster (31 carries, 179 yards). Foster piles up massive amounts of yardage spurred on by an overpowering performance by the Steeler offensive line. Pittsburgh's previously stagnant offense piles up 500 yards!





1994 Steelers 13 at Seahawks 30
A critical goal line stand and 4 Neil O'Donnell INTs (3 of which come in the 4th quarter, including a 35-yd TD return) send the Steelers down in flames despite a 452-297 advantage in total yards. Chris Warren (26 carries, 126 yds, 1 TD) slightly out-performs Barry Foster (21 carries, 96 yds), but the game turns on Pittsburgh's opening drive of the first half. Trailing 20-6, the Steelers drive 68 yards in 13 plays and have a 1st-and-goal at the Seattle 2. But on 4th-and-1, Foster is dropped short of the goal line by safety Eugene Robinson, who also has one of Seattle's 4th quarter INTs. Thanks to Jay Korber for generously providing us with this missing game!




1994 Steelers 30 vs Oilers 14 MNF
Barry Foster (21 carries, 115 yds, 1 TD) is simply unstoppable, easily eclipsing the 100 yard mark for the 2nd straight week. Houston is powerless to stop Foster as he slashes his way through absolutely gaping holes provided by Pittsburgh's O-line. On at least five occasions, Foster is 10+ yards beyond the line of scrimmage before an Oiler defender so much as lays a finger on him. Bam Morris adds insult to injury with 70 rushing yds and a TD on 17 carries. Kevin Greene and Greg Lloyd (who knocks Cody Carlson out of the game) are also standouts as Houston suffers 6 sacks and is completely smothered all night. After running the score up 30-0, Gary Jones completely whiffs Ernest Givins late in the game to blow the shutout for the Steelers, but this was an @$$-whipping from start to finish.





1994 Steelers 14 vs Bengals 10
Chalk this one up in the "a win is a win" category. The Steelers take a 14-0 first half lead vs. the 0-6 Bengals and it looks as though the rout is on, but instead the Steeler offense goes into a shell. The previously hapless Bengals, who came into the game with a league low 3 sacks for the season, sack Neil O'Donnell a whopping 8 times. At one point, the Steelers have a sequence that goes like this: sack, sack, punt... sack, incomplete pass, sack and then an illegal procedure on the punt followed by an ineligible man down-field penalty. And while the defense still plays well enough to escape with a win, they were far from their best with even the great Rod Woodson having a rough day. Special teams fared no better, giving up a sloppy TD on a fake field goal turned shovel pass to narrow the score to 14-10. Thankfully, the Bengals revert to the Bengals with some incredibly stupid play calling at the end (e.g., a 2-yard Broussard power run up the middle on 3rd & 7 from midfield???) and the Steelers escape with a win.





1994 Steelers 10 at Giants 6
An ugly win in ugly weather. Bam Morris and Rod Woodson, both of whom struggle early in the game, turn into 4th quarter heroes as the Steelers stumble past the New York Giants for another ugly win. Neil O'Donnell and Dave Brown combine for 3 INTs, 7 sacks and no TDs in the steady downpour. Thankfully, Bam Morris (subbing for injured Barry Foster) bounces back after 2 early fumbles to bulldoze his way to 146 rushing yds and a score (the game's only TD) late in the contest. Morris' TD is set up by a Woodson INT and crazy cutback return for 25 yards that gives the Steelers great field position at the Giants 34.





1994 Steelers 17 at Cardinals 20 OT
Greg Davis hits a career high 51-yd FG just 1:40 into overtime to lift Arizona past Pittsburgh in an ugly, ugly game. The field goal is set up when rookie Charles Johnson fumbles the kickoff to begin the extra period. A special thanks to Matthew Simon for contributing this missing game video!




1994 Steelers 12 at Oilers 9 OT
Doing his best impression of his game-saving forced fumble in the '89 Playoffs at Houston, Rod Woodson again comes up HUGE when he strips the ball away from Gary Brown in overtime at the Oiler 22. Two plays later, Gary Anderson trots on the field to kick his 4th FG of the day, this one from 40-yds away to win it. Anderson's calm, confident precision is in stark contrast to the ugly, sloppy performances by both offenses, neither of which even came close to scoring a TD while combining to convert only 4 of 33 third downs on the day.





1994 Steelers 23 vs Bills 10 MNF
Yet another drubbing of the Bills at the hands of the Steelers on Monday Night Football. While Pittsburgh's offense is anemic, Blitzburgh's defense is on fire. Rod Woodson is particularly frightening, returning an interception 37 yards for a TD and nailing Jim Kelly on a BRUTAL blindside sack near the goaline (1 of 7 sacks on the night for Pittsburgh), forcing a fumble which is recovered in the end zone by Gerald Williams for another TD to put the game away. Props to Jim Kelly for his toughness; the Hall of Famer was battered ruthlessly and for every one of his 7 sacks, he took another shot or two that didn't result in a sack. Woodson's outstanding play in this game won him '94 NFL Film's "Best Performance by a Defensive Back" award.





1994 Steelers 16 vs Dolphins 13 OT
An unlikely shootout between Dan Marino and Mike Tomczak (yes, Mike Tomczak!) in a nail-biter! Although the Steelers hand the ball to Barry Foster 31 times, Foster averages just 2.7 yds a carry against the stingy Joe Greene-coached Dolphin defense. As a result, the gutty Tomczak -- who is making just his second start as a Steeler -- racks up 343 yds passing. Dan Marino is Dan Marino, hitting 31 of 45 for 312 yds and a TD, but the Steelers are even stingier against the run, giving up just 40 yards on the ground. The turning point comes with Miami leading 10-6 and threatening in the 4th quarter. Marino drives the Dolphins to the Steeler 4 yd line, but a Gildon sack pushes the ball back to the 18 and Stoyanovich hooks the chip-shot FG. T-Zack immediately hits Mills for 40 yds (amazing grab), Green for 19 yds and Foster slices into the end zone from 10 yds out to give Pittsburgh a 13-10 lead. Marino takes over at his own 7yd line with 2 minutes left and drives Miami into FG range and Stoyanovich atones for his earlier miss with 48-yarder to tie the game. But in overtime, the Steelers overcome a failed 4th & 1 attempt, and in spite of being absolutely robbed on a Marino fumble that was blown dead, force the Dolphins to punt. Tomzcak wastes no time, using smart passing to Foster, Williams and Green to move the Steelers into position for Gary Anderson's PERFECT 39-yd game winner.





1994 Steelers 21 at Raiders 3
Once again, Blitzburgh's defense is simply amazing, adding 5 more sacks to their league-leading total. Jeff Hostetler takes a beating, finally succumbing to a Kevin Green hit and leaving the game with blurred vision. Mike Tomzcak suffers through a very shaky performance in relief of an injured Neil O'Donnell and Ron Erhardt calls some unbelievably questionable plays, but the Steelers avoid turnovers and the one-two punch of Foster and Morris eventually pounds the Raiders into submission. Network cuts away with 2 minutes remaining and the Steelers leading 21-3.





1994 Steelers 38 at Bengals 15
The Steelers clinch a playoff berth behind the bruising, blue-collar running of Bam Morris (24 carries, 108 yds, 2 TD) and relentless, punishing defense led by Rod Woodson, who returns an INT 27 yards for a TD and records one of Pittsburgh's five sacks. Greg Lloyd also snags an INT and adds a sack of his own, along with sacks by Chad Brown and Kevin Greene (who bags 2, bringing his league-leading season total to 14). Neil O'Donnell is careful and consistent (17 of 24, 131 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT) and special teams do their part with exceptional punting by Mark Royals and a big return by Charles Johnson, who opens the game with a 71 yard kick return. A complete victory.





1994 Steelers 14 vs Eagles 3
An absolutely SUPERB defensive performance by the Steelers as they fight for homefield advantage while snowflakes fly. A long return by Herschel Walker on the opening kickoff sets up an Eagle FG, but the 90's Edition Steel Curtain gives Philly NOTHING, playing perhaps their most dominating game of '94 (which is saying a lot). While the Steeler offense flounders for 3-1/2 quarters, plagued by off-target passes and an uncharacteristic case of drop-itis by Yancey Thigpen, the Blitzburgh defense allows only 105 total yards and absolutely crucifies Randall Cunningham, who finishes a pathetic 9 of 27 for 59 yds with 3 sacks and a back-breaking 4th quarter INT by Darren Perry. When Bam Morris goes down (subbing for the injured Barry Foster), John L. Williams steps in and plays admirably, griding out 94 yds on 20 carries and icing the gam with a 4th quarter TD run. I love defensive slugfests, so this is among my favorite 90's-era games.





1994 Steelers 17 vs Browns 7
A HUGE game to decide the division crown! The Steelers strike quickly after a bone-headed Cleveland offsides penalty extends Pittsburgh's opening drive, turning a 4th down punting situation into a key Pittsburgh first down. Neil O'Donnell immediately capitalizes, hitting Yancey Thigpen for a stunning 40-yd TD bomb on the very next play, and Thigpen adds insult to injury by pulling out a hidden Terrible Towel and waving it gleefully in the end zone. The seemingly shell-shocked Browns go 3-and-out on their first drive, and Pittsburgh immediately mounts a second seemingly effortless TD drive, going 84 yds in 10 plays capped by Barry Foster's 1-yd plunge to take a 14-0 lead. At that point, the Bill Cowher lets the air out of the ball. Barry Foster smashes his way to 106 yds on 32 carries and the Steelers never look back en route to a convincing AFC Central Division title.




1994 Steelers 31 at Chargers 34
Having already clinched homefield advantage, the Steelers rest several banged-up starters and go to their second string early. The Chargers lead 17-13 at halftime and extend their lead to 24-13 on the opening drive of the 2nd half. But Mike Tomczak fights off a knee injury and to have a big 2nd half starting with a 7 play, 83-yd drive capped a Fred McAfee TD run late in the 3rd (2-pt conversion fails). Then on the first play of the 4th quarter, rookie Charles Johnson snags a short T-zak pass, eludes a DB and streaks 84-yds for a TD. This time, the 2-pt conversion is successful and the Steelers take a 27-24 lead. After a Carney FG ties it at 27, another long pass to Charles Johnson (54 yds) sets up an 11-yd TD pass to Andre Hastings with 6:29 remaining. After Humphries goes out with an injury, Gale Gilbert comes in and immediately throws a would-be game-sealing pick-6 to Dion Figures... who drops it. On 3rd and 10, Gilbert throws the ball out of bounds under extreme pressure... but a questionable roughing the passer call on Chad Brown extends the drive again. Two plays later, Natrone Means breaks free for a 20-yd TD to tie the game. Another penalty on the kickoff pins the Steelers at their own 8, giving the Chargers the ball in Pittsburgh territory following a punt and setting up Carney's game-winner with 3 seconds left. A portend of things to come as the Steelers statistically dominate (even with their 2nd stringers) but fall short on the scoreboard. Thanks to Jay Korber for generously providing us with this missing game!



 1994 Post Season 



Bonus Footage
ESPN Highlights (8:41)
1994 AFC Playoffs Steelers 29 vs Browns 9
Cleveland is probably still looking for the license plate of the Mac truck that steamrolled them in this game. The fired up Steelers thoroughly dominate the Bill Belichick-coached Browns in the first-ever postseason match-up between these two bitter rivals, defeating Cleveland for the third time in the same season. While Cleveland seems jittery and unprepared from the outset, Pittsburgh is efficient and focused, scoring on their first three possessions to open a 17-0 lead. Barry Foster (24 carries, 133 yards) dissects Cleveland's supposedly staunch defense for huge chunks of yardage and the Steeler O-line simply blows the Browns off the ball over and over and over. Bam Morris carries 22 times for 60 yards and John L. Williams gains 43 yds and scores a back-breaking 26-yard TD as the Pittsburgh piles up 424 yards on offense, controlling the ball for 42:37 vs 17:23. The vaunted Blitzburgh Defense puts on a stellar performance as well, limiting Cleveland to just 186 total yds. With Pittsburgh's running game humming, O'Donnell is efficient and untouched. Meanwhile, Cleveland can muster nothing on the ground and Vinnie Testeverde (13 of 31, 144 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT), is forced to run for his life all afternoon, including a sack for a safety by Carnell Lake. A truly beautiful win over a hated rival that remains incredibly satisfying to this day.





1994 AFC Championship Steelers 13 vs Chargers 17
The infamous "Three More Yards" game. In spite of Pittsburgh's complete statistical dominance (415 yards to 226), the Steelers blow a 13-3 lead as San Diego hits two big plays and then stops the Steelers on 4th and goal from the 3 to win the game. One of the biggest heartbreakers in Steelers history and still the most disappointing loss of my lifetime.



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* = Pro Bowl
+ = First Team All-Pro