The Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs grinded out a game that wasn’t complete until one minute remained in ooooverrrrrrrrtiiiiiiiime! The Chiefs primarily used a strategic ball control offense that proved effective, especially in the first half, where the Steelers managed only six total plays and one real drive. Although Kansas City ate up the clock they remained scoreboard starved as the Chiefs lost the ball on downs their first possession, while their second possession ended in a missed 60 yard field goal by Nick Lowery.

In the third quarter the Steelers finally put together a semblance of a drive, but it stalled at the Chief 35 yard line. From there, Matt Bahr knocked home the first of two field goals. The third quarter also saw Art Still dominate the interior of the Steeler line, as he crashed through on almost every play run or pass. His charge up the middle helped funnel Steeler running backs into the waiting arms of the ‘Taxman’ Gary Barbaro, who was magnificent in the game. Barbaro made just about every play that came his way, and twice made a shoe string, pin-point dive, to prevent long runs. As it stood, neither team found much success running the ball- both teams averaged under 3 yards per attempt.

Midway through the fourth quarter the Steelers clung to a 3-0 lead. Facing a 3rd and 5 from near midfield, Terry Bradshaw dropped back to pass. Bradshaw located a wide open Randy Grossman in the middle of the field, but when it came time to throw the antsy Bradshaw sent the arrow to the running back who was double covered and far short of the first down. Luckily the pass was not intercepted, but the Steelers would have to give up possession. Disaster struck twice as the ensuing punt was blocked. Craig Colquitt, Pittsburgh’s punter, despite circling the ball several times refused to pick up the ball to minimize the damage. Instead, after about five seconds of circling, the Chiefs scooped up the loose ball, returning it to the Steeler 29-yard line.

With the clock winding down in the game, the Chiefs trudged their way to the Steeler 12-yard line. Finally the bruising James Hadnot plodded his way to the end zone, knocking away several Steelers in the process. The Chiefs now lead for the first time all game, with only just about a minute remaining in the game. Adding to the high Tecmo drama, Lowery had his XPT block, so Kansas City only lead 6-3.

In desperation mode, Bradshaw chucked a pass to Lynn Swann, a 45 yarder, which was Swann’s only target of the day. Pittsburgh ran one more run play to try and make the field goal attempt more manageable for Bahr. True as his previous attempt, Bahr knocked it home, sending the game into overtime.

The Kansas City Chief quarterbacks played with fire all game, but the Steelers were unable to collect an interception. But in the extra period Bill Kenney gambled for the last time, as an errant pass found its way into triple coverage. Mel Blount picked off the pass, broke a tackle, and dashed down the field 60 yards before being caught at the 5 yard line. Two plays later veteran tight end Randy Grossman found the end zone for a 12-6 Pittsburgh victory.

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