#5
PITTSBURGH — Even though the series lost some of its luster
as a result of the Browns' three-year absence from the NFL from 1996-1998, the
Pittsburgh-Cleveland rivalry remains one of the most intense in the NFL because
of the similarities and proximity of the two cities. In fact, the Browns are the
Steelers most common opponent, playing 96 total games against Cleveland.
While the Sept. 24, 1978 game against the Browns that Steelers fans voted as
the fifth-greatest game in Three Rivers Stadium history as part of the Last
Season at Three Rivers celebration had relatively little meaning so early in the
1978 season, it still was memorable: A 15-9 overtime victory that gave the
Steelers sole possession of first place in the AFC Central and the Browns their
first loss of the early season. It was the Browns' ninth straight defeat at
Three Rivers Stadium.
The fifth-greatest play, coincidentally, occurred in that game, the winning
37-yard flea-flicker play that culminated in a TD pass from Terry Bradshaw to
Bennie Cunningham.
1978 OVERTIME
VICTORY
Pittsburgh 15, Cleveland
9
The game between the two teams was a classic, featuring two strong defenses
and ball-control offenses.
It was a game of virtually two different halves.
The Browns controlled the first half, but the Steelers powered their way to a
victory in the second half, compiling 260 yards in offense compared to 54 for
the Browns. The win improved the Steelers record to 4-0, while the Browns
suffered their first defeat of the season and ninth straight at Three Rivers
Stadium.
The Steelers defense, which ran its string of quarters without allowing a
touchdown to 10, set the tone early when they intercepted a Brian Sipe pass on
the initial play of the game that led to a Steelers field-goal drive and a 3-0
advantage.
But, Cleveland responded with two second-quarter field goals and one in the
third to surge to a 9-3 lead. The Steelers rallied from a 9-3 third-quarter
deficit with consecutive field goals in the fourth quarter, the final with 2:35
remaining that sent the game to overtime.
Terry Bradshaw connected with tight end Bennie Cunningham for the game's only
touchdown on a 37-yard flea-flicker at 3:43 of overtime. It was Bradshaw's 100th
career touchdown pass. The play followed a controversial call of a Steelers
fumble on the kickoff to start the overtime period.
Bennie Cunninham's 37-yard
flea-flicker from Terry Bradshaw in OT against Cleveland
Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw's most famous connections have the
surnames of Swann and Stallworth.
But the player who was on the end of a Bradshaw strike that was selected by
Steelers fans as the fifth-greatest play in Three Rivers Stadium as part of the
Steelers year-long Last Season at Three Rivers Stadium celebration was tight end
Bennie Cunningham that occurred in the Sept. 24, 1978 game against the Cleveland
Browns.
To set the scene: The Steelers rallied from a 9-3 deficit through three
quarters to tie the game with 2:35 minutes to play, sending the game into
overtime.
After a controversial call on an apparent fumble by Larry Anderson on the
overtime kickoff gave the Steelers new life, the Steelers marched to the Browns
37-yard line. Faced with a second-and-nine, Bradshaw handed off to Rocky Bleier
who handed off an apparent reverse to Lynn Swann who then lateraled the ball
back to Bradshaw. Bradshaw then threw a long arching pass to Cunningham, who
caught the ball at the three-yard line and ran in for the touchdown.
It also was Bradshaw's 100th career TD pass, and the victory gave the
Steelers sole possession of first place in the AFC Central.
****
GAME NOTES: Each home game there will be honorary game captains, who played
for the Steelers during their 31 seasons at Three Rivers. This week's captains
are: running back Merril Hoge (1987-93), linebacker Robin Cole (1977-87) and
offensive tackle Jon Kolb (1969-81).
