'84 Steelers VS '84 Bears

[74_75_78_79_]

Who do you think is better between these conference runner-ups from the same season? Both didn't play each other the year prior but did square off in '86; 4-8 Steelers giving the 10-2 defending-Champs all they could handle (and then some) at Soldier Field - carrying them into OT.

[Bryan]

The fact that Steelers remained competitive in the 1980's is a testament to Chuck Noll's greatness as a coach, and the 1984 Steelers was arguably Noll's greatest coaching job. The 1984 Bears were stacked. The only thing that held them back was McMahon's lack of durability. The Steelers might win if Rusty Lisch or Bob Avellini are under center, if offensive coordinator Greg Landry has to take off the headset and put on the helmet, or if Walter Payton has to play single wing tailback. I think a Bears team with McMahon or Fuller at QB would handle the Steelers.

[BD Sullivan]

I'd actually rank the 1989 team as Noll's best coaching job. Coming off a lousy 5-11 year, and not having made the playoffs since '84, the Steelers started out getting destroyed in the first two games--getting outscored 92-10. Through Week 10, they were 4-6 in last place before running five wins in the last six games to reach the playoffs. They then beat the Oilers before blowing a great shot at upsetting the Broncos with a late Brister fumble. Had that happened, they would have gone to Cleveland for the AFC Championship, and with the Browns wobbling at that time, it wouldn't have been inconceivable to see Pittsburgh win the game. Of course, they would have then been obliterated by the 49ers, like every other team.

[Bryan]

I'd actually rank the 1989 team as Noll's best coaching job.

Agreed. I think 1984 is close because he had Mark Malone at QB and actually defeated Denver in the divisional round, but the 1989 run came out of nowhere. Their loss to Denver was too bad, because the Steelers fought valiantly.

[74_75_78_79_]

Off subject, this 2015 Bears team is slowly but surely looking like the '89 Steelers only they're rallying from an 0-3 start. And who WAS one of Noll's assistants that year??

As for '84 Steelers vs '84 Bears? I think Steelers have a heck of a chance in prevailing. Throughout that campaign, though inconsistent, they were often at their best against the better teams (ex. @San Fran, @Raiders in finale to get them in, @Denver, etc). If both actually score upsets and meet in THE Super Bowl...you'd have to like Noll's previous, obvious SB-experience.

[7DnBrnc53]

I'd actually rank the 1989 team as Noll's best coaching job.

Agreed. I think 1984 is close because he had Mark Malone at QB and actually defeated Denver in the divisional round, but the 1989 run came out of nowhere. Their loss to Denver was too bad, because the Steelers fought valiantly.

On the NFL Network, they showed a Top 10 special this weekend about QB Teases. I think that Mark Malone should be considered for a list like that.

He takes the Steelers to the AFC Title Game in 84, and throws five TD passes in Week 1 of the 1985 season against the Colts. After that, it was all downhill, and he was out of football by 1990.

As for a potential 1989 Pit-SF SB 24, I think it goes kind of like the regular season game the next year between the two teams. Pittsburgh hangs around for a half, but SF pulls away and wins 35-17 or something like that.

[NWebster]

Mark Malone, tease?

Doesn't he get credit for being a great receiving QB??

[JuggernautJ]

The 15-1 1984 49ers only loss was to the Steelers.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/b ... 140sfo.htm

So if they make it to the Big Game I think they might've had a (tiny little) chance.