Chicago were one of the early members of the NFL and with owner George Halas were the original power-house in the league. When Pittsburgh joined the NFL in 1933, the Bears owned the Steelers, winning the first thirteen games between the teams.
Over the years, the Steelers have only won seven games out of the thirty played and will be looking to break the current three-game losing streak.
In 1995 they were also looking to break a losing stretch of three games against Chicago including an 13-10 overtime loss in Three Rivers Stadium.
Injuries and off-field distractions had fragmented the ’95 Steelers, and they struggled to win four games before they traveled to Chicago. Steelers’ quarterback Neil O’Donnell was returning from a four-game absence after breaking his finger in the opener when they also lost Pro Bowler Rod Woodson for the regular season.
Defensive tackle Oliver Gibson had suffered a broken hand and nose tackle Joel Steed was suspended for using steroids. “It’s been frustrating, it really has,” said O’Donnell. “We’re just trying to get that out of our minds and go out and play football. We think we have enough talent that if everyone does his job and stays together, we can win games and make it to the playoffs.”
Facing the dual sack attack of Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene, Bears’ quarterback Erik Kramer said he didn’t have time to worry about how hard he’ll get hit during the game. “We’ve got to account for the type of players like Lloyd and Greene and the blitzes they run. But you can’t go back and look for a certain guy as a quarterback.”
Going into the game, the Bears had won four straight averaging 362 yards per game while Kramer led the NFL with 18 touchdowns.
(4-4) Steelers at (6-2) Bears November 5, 1995, Soldier Field
The game began with both teams playing hesitant football on a muddy field while they found their feet. Only a Chicago 40-yard field goal broke the monotony of the first quarter before a flourish of football in the second.
After Brentson Buckner stripped the ball from Chicago’s Robert Green for a fumble that Darren Perry recovered, the Steelers moved the chains 72 yards. Pittsburgh’s series included a third down and fifteen catch of 27 yards from Kordell Stewart and finished with a 1-yard touchdown run from Eric Pegram.
Chicago hit straight back when Nate Lewis returned the kickoff 52 yards. Kramer hit Curtis Conway with a 6-yard touchdown pass for the score.
When Ernie Mills returned the Bears’ kickoff 46 yards, Norm Johnson tied the game 10-10 with a field goal from 40 yards. As the first half began to wind down, Greg Lloyd made an impact with an interception he returned 52 yards to Chicago’s 4. The Bears’ defense held the Steelers for the first two downs before O’Donnell found Pegram with a 7-yard pass for the touchdown to give the Steelers their first lead at 17-10.
A Pegram fumble at the start of the third quarter gifted excellent field position for the Bears on their opponent’s 32. Kramer’s 12-yard pass to Tony Carter capped the drive to tie the game once again.
Chicago went back into the lead following a poor punt from Rohn Stark that gifted the Bears’ possession on the Steelers’ 39. Four plays later Chicago went ahead with Kramer’s 14-yard pass to Ryan Wetnight.
With the Bears holding a 7-point advantage, the teams exchanged field goals as the game went into the final period.
Another great Mills kickoff return, this one of 49 yards, presented the Steelers with an opportunity that O’Donnell seized finding Yancey Thigpen with passes of 10, 9 and 13 yards before Pegram ran in from 6 yards for the touchdown.
With the contest now delicately poised at 27-27 it was an O’Donnell mistake that swung the game away from the Steelers. Backed up on Pittsburgh’s 3-yard line, his pass was batted into the air and fell into the hands of Chicago’s Barry Minter who ran in for the go ahead score.
Chicago snubbed the chance to extend their lead on their next possession when Butler missed a 44-yard field goal attempt. It was his first miss after 16 consecutive successes and would prove costly in a game that both teams were fighting hard to win.
On the Steelers next drive, O’Donnell made amends for his previous error. Converting two third downs with passes to Hastings and one to Charles Johnson, O’Donnell finished the series with a 11-yard touchdown pass to Mills on a fourth down.
Coach Cowher sent the offense onto the field for a two-point after attempt with thoughts of winning the game in normal time. When Chicago called a timeout, Cowher reflected on his decision and sent Johnson out to kick the conversion and put the game into overtime.
Chicago won the coin toss and elected to receive before before going three and out as the Steelers defense presented O’Donnell the potential of taking the win.
With completions to Mills, Pegram, Johnson and Mark Bruener complimented with runs by Pegram, O’Donnell guided his team into field goal range.
After nearly 70 minutes of playing football on a surface one players described as not even fit for high school football, the win came down to the boot of Johnson from 24 yards.
Coach Cowher was concerned about the spot on the generally poor field conditions. When Johnson told his coach the spot was fine, Cowher said, “Let’s go home.” Johnson kicked the field goal and the Steelers went back to Pittsburgh with their first win in the Windy City.
The Pittsburgh Steelers 37 at the Chicago Bears 34
“Everyone talks about Elway and Marino, Elway and Marino,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt. “Tonight, you saw another great – O’Donnell. He brought them back.”
“They had 50 percent conversions on third downs,” acknowledged Chicago’s Coach Dave Wannstedt. “That’s killing us. That’s ridiculous.”
“I think now a lot of guys believe in this locker room,” suggested Neil O’Donnell. There probably were some doubters, but I never gave up.”
The Steelers’ victory moved them into first place in the AFC Central on their way to a 11-5 season and Super Bowl XXX where they lost to the Cowboys.
