1964 Steelers Five Game Losing Streak

[LeonardRachiele]

After the 23 to 7 victory at Cleveland, Pittsburgh had five consecutive defeats, yielded over 30 points in each game, and won only two more games the rest of the season. This was the first of eight consecutive losing seasons. Here were the five defeats:

Game Six. at Minnesota Vikings 30 to 10

The Steelers had a 10 to 6 lead early in the second quarter but completely fell apart thereafter. Tommy Mason carried 14 times for 114 yards, longest of which was 28 yards. Bill Brown also stood out with 73 yards rushing and one touchdown and caught four passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Rip Hawkins sealed the game for the Vikings with a 56 yard interception return for a touchdown. For Pittsburgh, Paul Martha caught three passes for 84 yards. This was wasted given the mediocrity of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Game Seven Philadelphia Eagles at Pitt Stadium 34 to 10

Clarence Peak ran 70 yards for a touchdown nicely stepping out of a tackle from a Eagle lineman. For the game, Peaks had 110 yards. The rest belonged to the Eagles. Long time Steeler nemesis Ollie Matson ran for 73 yards and caught three passes for 63 yards. Red Mack hurt his former team by catching three passes for 104 yards with a 53 yard touchdown. Irv Cross ran an interception 94 yards for a touchdown.

Game Eight Cleveland Browns at Pitt Stadium 30 to 17

As usual, Jimmy Brown had a great day against the Steelers. JB carried 23 times for 149 yards caught five passes for 37 yards. Ernie Green carried 17 times for 86 yards and two touchdowns. For Pittsburgh, John Henry Johnson carried 16 times for 100 yards. The Steelers yielded five sacks for 42 yards in losses.

Game Nine at St. Louis Cardinals 34 to 30

Ed Brown fired a 28 yard touchdown pass to Gary Ballman and at the half it was a deadlock at 13. Mike Clark booted his third field goal early in the third quarter to give Pittsburgh a 16 to 13 lead; but then came a collapse. Charlie Johnson fired two touchdown passes, both of which were less than five yards. With the score 27 to 16, the Cardinal defensive line smothered Ed Brown as he was throwing a pass. The ball fluttered into the air, Dale Meinhart intercepted, and returned it for a touchdown. With Pittsburgh now trailing 34 to 16, Buddy Parker put in Bill Nelson at quarterback, setting Ed Brown on the bench.

Nelson fired touchdown passes, 28 yards to Gary Ballman and 22 yards to Dick Hoak. The Steelers were driving for a third touchdown but Pat Fisher intercepted. For St. Louis, Charley Johnson completed 18 of 29 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Both Ed Brown and Bill Nelson threw 17 completions in 34 attempts for 298 yards and three touchdowns. John Henry Johnson gained 81 yards and Gary Ballman caught six passes for 125 yards and two touchdown. Not helping their cause, the Steelers offensive line gave up seven sacks 50 yards in losses.

Game 10 Washington Redskins at Pitt Stadium 30 to 0

Coach Buddy Parker started Bill Nelson based on his performance the previous week. Everything went haywire from the start, though the total yards gained were about the same-286 for the Skins vs 267 for Pittsburgh. The difference came from Washington making four pass interceptions. After Washington ground out the first touchdown, Sonny Jurgenson went to work. He fired two 80 yard touchdown passes to Charlie Taylor and Angelo Cola. Halftime had a 20 to 0 Steeler shortfall.

In the third quarter, Johnny Sample returned the first of his two interceptions for a touchdown. After that, Jim Martin kicked a field goal for a 30 to 0 victory. The Steelers had only two bright spots in the game but they lead to nothing. Theron Sapp had a 44 yard run. Defensive back Jim Bradshaw returned an interception 39 yards.