1986 Pittsburgh Steelers season

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.

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
All-Pros	None
Team MVP	Bryan Hinkle
Team ROY	Anthony Henton
← 1985 Steelers seasons 1987 →

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1986 NFL Draft

1986 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
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 16 Mark Malone Running backs (RB) 34 Walter Abercrombie 24 Rich Erenberg 43 Earnest Jackson 40 Dan Reeder 45 Chuck Sanders Wide receivers (WR) 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/G 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 99 Darryl Sims DE 98 Gerald Williams NT 93 Keith Willis DE

Linebackers (LB) 91 Gregg Carr ILB 56 Robin Cole ILB 96 Anthony Henton OLB 53 Bryan Hinkle OLB 50 David Little ILB 57 Mike Merriweather OLB 90 Larry Station OLB 55 Dennis Winston ILB Defensive backs (DB) 33 Harvey Clayton CB 42 Dave Edwards SS 28 Lupe Sanchez CB 41 Chris Sheffield CB 31 Donnie Shell SS 26 John Swain CB 21 Eric Williams FS 22 Rick Woods FS Special teams  1 Gary Anderson K 18 Harry Newsome P

Reserve 88 Jessie Britt WR (IR) 35 Gordon Brown RB (IR) 44 Rodney Carter RB (IR) 38 Donald Herron CB (IR) 36 David Hughes RB (IR) 84 Glenn McCombs TE (IR) 30 Frank Pollard RB (IR) 76 Jerry Quick T (IR) 60 Randy Rasmussen G/C (IR) 79 John Rienstra G (IR) 20 Erroll Tucker CB (IR) 79 Hans Wiederkehr G (IR) 49 Dwayne Woodruff CB (IR) [2] [3] [4] Rookies in italics

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

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

Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

See also: 1986 Minnesota Vikings season

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

Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

See also: 1986 New York Jets season

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

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

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

Week 16: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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

Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers

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 Plays Yards TOP 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

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

External links

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