Pittsburgh Steelers: A Throwback to Their Playoff Quarterbacks

Cliff Stoudt
January 1, 1984 – AFC Divisional Game

After a Hall of Fame career, Terry Bradshaw suffered an elbow injury that would sideline him for pretty much the entire 1983 season. Although Bradshaw did play in one game – which secured a berth in the postseason, the torch was ultimately passed to Cliff Stoudt who led the Steelers to their 11th playoff appearance.

Stoudt led Pittsburgh to a 10-5 record as a starter, the AFC Central Division title, and a first round playoff game against the Los Angeles Raiders, who would go on to rout the Redskins in  Super Bowl XVIII that year. This was the first time the team had faced the Raiders franchise since losing to them in the 1976 AFC Championship.

At this point, the Steelers dynasty from the 70’s was basically gone. There were no remaining members of the Steel Curtain defensive line. John Stallworth was hurt for a majority of the season. And Franco Harris was a shell of himself, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.

Needless to say, the 1983 AFC Divisional Game was a bust.

Stoudt totaled 187 yards on 10 completions, and threw one touchdown pass and one interception. That interception was only part of the Raiders 38-10 whooping, as cornerback Lester Hayes returned it for an 18-yard touchdown for L.A.’s first score of the game.

Stoudt’s tenure as a Steeler ended after that playoff loss when he left the team to sign with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t the end of his time in Pittsburgh. The Stallions played their season opener at Three Rivers Stadium again the Pittsburgh Maulers on March 11, 1984. In what would be the only soldout game for the Maulers, Stoudt was heckled and pelted with snowballs by the fans. Don’t mess with Steelers fans.

Next: The first of two amazing comeback wins...