"The Play That STILL Makes Oilers Fans Furious 45 Years Later | Steelers vs Oilers AFC Chip"1.6.80

This was a classic AFC Championship game with some truly memorable moments. Here are the best highlights from the Steelers vs. Oilers game on January 6, 1980 (played in frigid 22-degree weather at Three Rivers Stadium): The Most Memorable Moments 1. The Controversial Mike Renfro "Non-Touchdown" 🎥 The defining moment of this game. In the third quarter, with the Oilers trailing 17-10, QB Dan Pastorini threw a perfect pass to Mike Renfro in the corner of the end zone. Renfro appeared to make the catch with control and both feet in bounds (one hitting the pylon), which would have tied the game. However, referee Jim Tunney ruled it out of bounds. Television replays clearly showed Renfro had possession with his left foot down and right foot hitting the pylon. If instant replay had existed (it wouldn't be introduced until 1986), the call almost certainly would have been overturned. The Oilers had to settle for a field goal, making it 17-13 instead of 17-17. This call shifted all momentum to Pittsburgh and remains one of the most controversial in NFL playoff history . 2. Vernon Perry's 75-Yard Pick-Six to Open the Game Just 2.5 minutes in, Oilers safety Vernon Perry (coming off a monster 4-interception game the week before) intercepted Terry Bradshaw and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown, giving Houston an early 7-0 lead. It was a stunning start that put the defending champion Steelers on their heels . 3. The Steel Curtain Dominates Earl Campbell The NFL's leading rusher and reigning MVP Earl Campbell was completely shut down — held to just 15 yards on 17 carries (under 1 yard per carry). The frozen field and Pittsburgh's legendary defense neutralized Houston's biggest weapon . 4. Bradshaw's Scramble and "Blonde Bomber" Performance Down 7-0, Bradshaw kept a drive alive with a 25-yard scramble on 3rd and 14, leading to a field goal. He finished the day tearing up Houston's seventh-ranked defense with clutch passes to Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, and Rocky Bleier . 5. Rocky Bleier's Seal-the-Deal Touchdown With under a minute remaining and Pittsburgh leading 20-13, Bleier took a handoff and burst into the end zone from 5 yards out to make it 27-13. This came right after a critical Mel Blount-forced fumble on a desperate Houston drive . 6. The Mel Blount/Donnie Shell Defensive Punch Late in the fourth quarter, with Pastorini engineering a potential game-tying drive, Mel Blount jarred the ball loose from Guido Merkens and Donnie Shell recovered at the Houston 45. This turnover set up Bleier's game-clinching score . Final Result Steelers 27, Oilers 13 Pittsburgh advanced to Super Bowl XIV where they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 31-19 for their fourth championship in six years — cementing their dynasty status. This game is remembered as much for what could have been (the Renfro touchdown) as for what actually happened, making it one of the most debated AFC Championship games in NFL history .