NFL team season
The 1946 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 14th season in the National Football League (NFL). The team finished the season with a record of 5–5–1. This season marked the first of two seasons played with Jock Sutherland as head coach.
Off Season Changes
When the 1945 season ended, Jock Sutherland returned from service in World War II and signed a head coaching contract with team owner Art Rooney, Sr. on December 29, 1945 in front of local reporters. Sutherland's fame as a college coach caused a great deal of excitement among Steelers fans and ticket sales for the 1946 season set records.
Additionally, fan favorite Bill Dudley was set to return for his first full season since serving in World War II. Dudley had only played in 4 games in 1945. By the end of the season, Dudley's play was so exceptional, he was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player.[ 1]
Regular season
Schedule
Game summaries
1
2
3
4
Total
Cardinals
0
0
7
0
7
Steelers
7
7
0
0
14
at Forbes Field , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 32,951
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – Seabright 8 pass from Dudley (Dudley kick)
Pittsburgh – Compagno 1 run (Dudley kick)
Chicago Cardinals – Goldberg 8 pass from Mallouf (Cuff kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
0
0
0
14
14
Redskins
7
7
0
0
14
at Griffith Stadium , Washington, DC
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 33,620
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Washington – Saenz 1 run (Poillon kick)
Washington – Todd 23 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick)
Pittsburgh – Jansante 17 pass from Clement (Dudley kick)
Pittsburgh – Dudley 1 run (Dudley kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Giants
0
17
0
0
17
Steelers
0
0
7
7
14
at Forbes Field , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 33,702
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
New York – Hapes 2 run (Strong kick)
New York – Filchock 70 run (Strong kick)
New York – FG Strong 23
Pittsburgh – Garnaas 30 pass from Dudley (Dudley kick)
Pittsburgh – Clement 2 run (Dudley kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Yanks
0
0
0
7
7
Steelers
0
16
0
0
16
at Forbes Field , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 34,297
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – Lach 1 run (kick blocked)
Pittsburgh – Lach 5 run (Dudley kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Dudley 34
Boston – Scollard 6 fumble run (Scollard kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
0
7
0
0
7
Packers
0
3
0
14
17
at East Stadium , Green Bay, Wisconsin
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 22,588
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Green Bay – FG Fritsch 38
Pittsburgh – Dudley 31 run (Dudley kick)
Green Bay – Luhn, 19 pass from Comp (Fritsch kick)
Green Bay – Schlinkman 2 run (Fritsch kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
6
0
14
13
33
Yanks
0
7
0
0
7
at Fenway Park , Boston, Massachusetts
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 13,797
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – Condit 18 run (kick failed)
Boston – Dimancheff 26 pass from Governali (Scollard kick)
Pittsburgh – Dudley 23 lateral from Compagno (Dudley kick)
Pittsburgh – R. Davis 29 fumble run (Dudley kick)
Pittsburgh – Dudley – 80 pass from Condit (Condit kick)
Pittsburgh – Dutton 38 run (kick failed)
1
2
3
4
Total
Redskins
0
0
0
7
7
Steelers
7
0
0
7
14
at Forbes Field , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 36,995
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – Dudley 80 interception (Dudley kick)
PIttsburgh – Lach 5 run (Dudley kick)
Washington – Baugh 1 run (Poillon kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
0
0
0
7
7
Lions
0
10
0
7
17
at Briggs Stadium , Detroit , Michigan
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 13,621
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Detroit – FG Helms 35
Detroit – DeCorrevont 72 pass from Ryan (DeShane kick)
Pittsburgh – Dutton 12 run (Dudley kick)
Detroit – Greene 88 pass from Ryan (DeShane kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Eagles
7
7
0
14
28
Steelers
7
14
7
0
28
at Forbes Field , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 38,882
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Philadelphia – Zimmerman 1 run (Zimmerman kick)
Pittsburgh – Lach 1 run (Condit kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Dudley 14
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
0
0
0
0
0
Giants
0
7
0
0
7
at Polo Grounds , New York, New York
Scoring Drives:
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 45,346
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
New York – Paschal 4 run (Strong kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
0
0
7
0
7
Eagles
7
3
0
0
10
at Shibe Park , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Game time:
Game weather:
Game attendance: 29,943
Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Philadelphia – Pritchard 58 run (Lio kick)
Philadelphia – FG Lio 15
Pittsburgh – Lach 7 run (Dudley kick)
Standings
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
[ 2]
References
Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates (1933–1939)
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Media Division championships (24) Conference championships (8) League championships (6) Retired numbers Hall of Fame members Current league affiliations