LOOKING OVER THE STEELERS
Until they ran afoul of a crippling series of injuries in midseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers impressed observers as being the strongest team in the National Football League's Eastern DivIsion.
They won four of their first five games. Their victories included a 55-27 rout of Cleveland and their loss was a 24-22 setback by the Eagles, whom they subsequently beat, 17-7.
After their second bruising battle with Philadelphia, the Steelers lost four straight games (one of them was a 30-6 defeat by the Giants).
Although this slump killed Pittsburgh's title hopes, the Steelers showed they are on the way back to their early-season form by downing the vastly-improved Cardinals, 20-17.
Coach Walt Kiesling has been pointing his squad for this return contest with the Giants. That defeat left a bitter taste in Pittsburgh. The Steelers will be going all out today with revenge in mind. They will have plenty of talent operating for them.Jim Finks, their quarterback, is a highly dangerous sharpshooter. They have a swift pair of halfbacks in Ray Mathews and Lynn Chandnois; a great all-around performer in Johnny Lattner, from Notre Dame; a slashing fullback in Fran Rogel; a brilliant end in Elbie Nickel and the league's best blocking center in Bill Walsh.
Pittsburgh's defensive array includes Bill McPeak, a destructive end; Dale Dodrill, a tenacious middle guard, and Paul Cameron, who is making quite a rookie splash as a ball-hawking safety. Another important fellow is Pat Brady, long-range, left-footed punter.
Article and photo taken from the December 12th 1954 official programme.
Editor's note: Steelers had another losing season 5-7 and also lost this game 7-42.
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