Oiler Errors Help Steelers Win, 21-10

The Houston Oilers lost 17 points to penalties, then were turned back on four successive plays from the Pittsburgh one-yard line in the fourth quarter and ended up losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-10, Sunday.

The Steelers (4-7) won for the third time in four weeks although they failed to score after taking a 21-7 lead with 12:04 remaining in the second quarter.

The Steelers turned an interception and pass-interference penalty against the Oilers (2-9) into touchdown runs by Walter Abercrombie and Earnest Jackson, then held on to win despite failing to mount any second-half scoring threats.

“We took 17 points off the board and died at the one-yard line,” Oiler Coach Jerry Glanville said. “You can’t do that on the road. We easily could have won the game, but you can’t take scoring plays away and points off the board.”

Houston had an apparent eight-yard touchdown run by Ray Wallace and a 63-yard touchdown pass play, Warren Moon to Allen Pinkett, called back by penalties. Another penalty negated a 29-yard field goal by Tony Zendejas, who then missed from 39 yards after the illegal use of hands penalty against tight end Jamie Williams.

The Oilers trailed, 21-10, when pass plays of 23 and 14 yards to Ernest Givins and a 26-yard pass-interference call against Steelers’ safety Donnie Shell gave them a first down at the Pittsburgh one.

The Oilers then were stopped on four successive running plays, three by Wallace and one by Moon. Houston failed to gain even a foot on the four plays.

“No one has stopped us from getting a yard all year,” said Oiler tackle Bruce Matthews. “We didn’t have trouble moving the ball, just scoring.”

“Obviously the big thing in the win was the goal-line stand,” Steeler Coach Chuck Noll said.

The Oilers have lost 9 of 10 games and have lost to Pittsburgh in 8 of their last 9 meetings.