1947 Pittsburgh Steelers season
The 1947 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 15th season in the National Football League (NFL). The team improved on its 1946 record by winning eight games and losing four. This record tied for the lead in the Eastern Division and qualified the Steelers for the franchise's first It was the Steelers' only postseason appearance before 1972. It was Jock Sutherland's second and final year as head coach; he died the following April after being found wandering around in a field in Kentucky. Once flown back to Pittsburgh, he was diagnosed as having  two brain tumors. He only lived a few more days. Pre-Season Changes. In 1946, the Steeler offense and defense featured the NFL MVP in the person of Bill Dudley. The West Virginia grad and Army veteran led the NFL in rushing, interceptions, punt returns and all-purpose yards. Despite being wildly popular with fans and fellow players, Dudley and Coach Sutherland could not get along. Ultimately, Dudley asked Art Rooney, Sr. to trade him and the owner reluctantly agreed. Dudley was traded to the Detroit Lions for Bob Cifers and Paul White. Additionally, the Steelers received the Lions' 1948  first round draft pick. Both White and Cifers had a demonstrable positive effect on the team. Cifers played brilliantly and was one of the top punters in the NFL that year. Regular season. Schedule. Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Playoffs. The 1947 team was the most successful team in club history to date. It was the Steelers' first playoff appearance, the first time winning more than four games consecutively, and the club posted a franchise-best record. Though the Steelers lost the playoff, fans and players were excited for their future. However, fate would interrupt again when  head coach Jock Sutherland took a trip to visit family in Kentucky. He ran off the road and was found wondering in a muddy field. Flown back to Pittsburgh, Sutherland died four days later on April 11, 1948, due to complications from a brain tumor. It was a sudden and disheartening end to a successful period in team history. The Steelers did not play in the postseason again until 1972. Game summaries. Week 1. Sunday, September 21: Detroit Lions "at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania" Scoring Drives: Week 2. Monday, September 29: Los Angeles Rams "at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania" Scoring  Drives: Week 3. Sunday, October 5): Washington Redskins "at Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC" Scoring Drives: Week 4. Sunday, October 12: Boston Yanks "at Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts" Scoring Drives: Week 5. Sunday, October 19: Philadelphia Eagles "at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania" Scoring Drives: Week 6. Sunday, October 26: New York Giants "at Polo Grounds, New York, New York" Scoring Drives: Week 7. Sunday, November 2: Green Bay Packers "at Wisconsin State Fair Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin" Scoring Drives: Week 8. Sunday, November 9: Washington Redskins "at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania" Scoring Drives: Week 9. Sunday, November 16: New York Giants "at  Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania" Scoring Drives: Week 10. Sunday, November 23: Chicago Bears "at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois" Scoring Drives: Scoring Drives: Week 11. Sunday, November 30: Philadelphia Eagles "at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania" Scoring Drives: Week 12. Sunday, December 7: Boston Yanks "at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania" Scoring Drives: Post season. Game summary. Week 14. Sunday, December 21: Philadelphia Eagles "at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania" Scoring Drives: