Steelers History: Sack Attack Goes Into Overdrive

Steelers History: Sack Attack Goes Into Overdrive
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The Pittsburgh Steelers have been battling with the Cincinnati Bengals since the 1970 merger when they were placed in the same division. The Steelers lead the series 70-39 overall and even playing in Cincinnati they have a 34-21 advantage.

The early years of the super seventies was a magical time for the Steelers when they overwhelmed the Bengals 14-6. The eighties saw a reverse in fortunes when Cincinnati won 13 of the 19 games played due to the strike year of 1982.

Coach Chuck Noll retired after the 1991 season to be replaced by Bill Cowher. A former defensive coordinator with the Chiefs, Cowher was a finalist for the head coach vacancy in Cincinnati. The Bengals went with Dave Shula.

The Steelers chose Coach Cowher with Dan Rooney saying, “Bill is a very capable young man with the experience and intelligence to be a successful coach in the NFL. I’m impressed with his strength, character and enthusiasm and his appreciation for the game.”

The Steelers and Cowher did well in that year’s draft. Leon Searcy, Levon Kirkland and Joel Steed were their first three picks. With their eighth pick they took Darren Perry.

Coach Cowher obviously had some mighty big shoes to fill. All Steelers Nation’s eyes were on his first game when the Steelers travelled to Houston to face the run ‘n shoot offense from Warren Moon.

With Houston leading 24-22 late in the fourth quarter, every fan breathed a sigh of relief when Rod Woodson picked off a pass. Woodson returned the interception 57 yards to Houston’s 43. Neil O’Donell took advantage of the turnover throwing a 9-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Cooper for Coach Cowher’s first win.

When the Steelers travelled to Cincinnati for the week 13 game, they sat on top of the division, two games in front of the Oilers. The Bengals had slipped to the bottom of the division.

To face the Steelers, the Bengals decided to replace their veteran quarterback Boomer Esiason with rookie David Klinger. The Bengals had used their first-round pick earlier that year on Klingler. Because he held out all preseason, he had no pro football experience before making his debut against the Steeler.

The Steelers went into the game with the NFL’s second worse sack record with a total of 17.

The (8-3) Steelers at the (4-7) Bengals; November 29, 1992

David Klingler came on to a very good reception from the locals who were happy to see him complete his first pass. After he completed his second for a first down, the drive stalled, and the Bengals lined up for a fake punt.

When the snap was muffed after Eric Ball slipped, Steelers special team player Charles Davenport burst through to pick up the bouncing ball and take it into the endzone for his first NFL touchdown. His 34-yard fumble recovery was followed by Gary Anderson’s conversion for a Pittsburgh 7-0 lead.

Ball tried to compensate for his error when he returned the subsequent kickoff 48 yards to...