LOOKING BACK
By Chris Willis, NFL Films
Not one of the more heated or intense rivalry in the NFL, but for week 3 in 2017 we have the Pittsburgh Steelers visiting the Chicago Bears for just the 13th time. To say the Bears own this series in the Windy City is an understatement. They’ve only lost to the Steelers once at home- owning a 11-1 mark.
Steelers at Bears
Series History in Chicago
Bears lead 11-1
1936 Bears 26-7
1941 Bears 34-7
1945 Bears 28-7
1947 Bears 49-7
1949 Bears 30-21
1959 Bears 27-21
1969 Bears 38-7
1971 Bears 17-15
1986 Bears 1-10 (Overtime)
1992 Bears 30-6
1995 Steelers 37-34 (Overtime)
2009 Bears 17-14
In those twelve games, the Steelers have been outscored 343-159 (28.5 points per game to 13.2 points per game).
The Steelers only win in Chicago was a 37-34 overtime thriller in 1995
November 5, 1995
Solider Field
Chicago, Illinois
On November 5th the Steelers (4-4 record), traveled to Chicago to face the Bears (6-2 record) at Soldier Field. The temperature was only 37 degrees as 61,838 fans took their seats.
Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell and Bears quarterback Erik Kramer dueled it out on a cold and breezy day. O’Donnell set a Steelers team record for completions with 34- breaking the old mark held by Joe Gilliam of 31 in 1974 against the Broncos- while attempting 52 passes for 341 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Kramer went 15 of 28 for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns that would give the Bears a 20-24 lead entering the 4th quarter.
Then the two squads traded scores:
Bears- Kevin Butler 27 yard FG
Steelers- Eric Pegram 6 yard TD run
Bears- Barry Minter 2-yard INT TD
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| Eric Pegram run against Bears, 1995 |
With 3:53 remaining Butler missed a 44-yard field goal- wide right- that would’ve increased the Bears lead to ten points. Setting up the Steelers final drive in regulation. O’Donnell picked apart the Bears prevent defense going 7 for 10 for 76 yards. One completion went for 27 yards to Ernie Mills and another 17 yards to Andre Hastings put the ball at the Bears ten-yard line. From there, with just 1:06 left, O’Donnell hit Mills again for the tying touchdown.
The Bears won the toss in overtime but only gained one yard on three plays. The Steelers took over at their own thirty-one yard line. O’Donnell needed only one drive. He completed four straight passes for 43 yards to put the Steelers in field goal position. On second down from the Bears, six-yard line Norm Johnson converted a 24-yard field goal to give the Steelers a 37-34 hard fought win.
Still the only Steelers win in the city of Chicago.
....superb article Chris; and a couple of thoughts on early Bear victories in Chi-town. '49 game Bobby Gage ties NFL record with 4th q. run from punt formation for a score of 97 yards. '59 game a goal line stand by Bears where Bobby L. fired incomplete 4 times in a row as Chicago hung on.
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