The Pittsburgh Steelers clashed with San Francisco 49ers in Candlestick Park for a classic showdown.
In 1984 the Steelers were entering a new era in the franchise's history; Terry Bradshaw had just retired after too many injuries plagued his career and Chuck Noll turned to the 26 year old Mark Malone to be Pittsburgh's starting quarterback. Though they had won the AFC Central the year before with a 10-6 record, this Steelers team was struggling mid-season with a 3-3 record and would eventually finish 9-7.
Few Steelers remained from their championship years, with those being veteran leaders in Bennie Cunningham, Robin Cole, Larry Brown, Gary Dunn, Craig Colquitt, Donnie Shell and two future Hall of Fame players in Mike Webster and John Stallworth.