Since Pittsburgh was unable to carry its underdog tag into the NFL playoffs, let's focus on a Steelers team that did defy the odds.

It was 30 years ago today that Pittsburgh came oh so close to pulling off one of the biggest upsets in NFL postseason history, falling to the host Denver Broncos 24-23 in the AFC Divisional round.

First, a little background.

In 1989, the Steelers were coming off a 5-11 campaign, the franchise's worst record since the 1-13 mark in Chuck Noll's first season in 1969.

Few expected Pittsburgh to do much in Noll's 21st season and the team's performance in the first two games did nothing to change that as the Steelers lost to Cleveland (51-0) and Cincinnati (41-10).

Pittsburgh rebounded, but after 10 games, the team's record stood at an ominous 4-6.

Then the Steelers defense began to take over. Pittsburgh won four of its next five, defeating the Chargers, the Dolphins in a rainstorm in Miami, the Jets and the Patriots — all while giving up an average of just 10 points per game.

Entering the regular-season finale, the Steelers needed four games to go their way to reach the postseason. Along with defeating Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh also needs the Saints to defeat the Colts, the Giants to defeat the Raiders and the Vikings to beat the Bengals.

All four outcomes played out, the last one on Christmas night, and the Steelers were in. But could this team with a limited offense make any noise in the playoffs?

There were no stars at the skill positions. Quarterback Bubby Brister passed for just nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions during the regular season. Louis Lipps (944 yards-5 TDs) was his top target.

The ground game was led by rookie Tim Worley (770 yards-5 TDs) and Merril Hoge (621 yards-8 TDs).

The defense had a better reputation, featuring the likes of Rod Woodson, Greg Lloyd, Keith Willis, David Little and rookie Carnell Lake.

Pittsburgh's first postseason test sent it to Houston, where the Steelers had been crushed, 27-0, in October.

The Oilers' potent offense, sparked by quarterback Warren Moon, was held to three field goals through three quarters and Pittsburgh's late touchdown drive tied the game at 23. Veteran kicker Gary Anderson's 50-yard field goal early in overtime effectively ended coach Jerry Glanville's days in Houston — he was fired the next day.

More importantly, the win placed the Steelers in Denver the next weekend.

The Steelers had suffered a 34-7 defeat to the host Broncos two months prior and entered the playoff game as 10-point underdogs. But they held a 10-0 lead in the second quarter and were up 17-10 at halftime.

I remember watching this game, hoping that the Steelers could withstand the magic in John Elway's right arm. He didn't play a great game and Brister actually finished with better stats, but Elway led a touchdown drive in the fourth quarter that put the Broncos up by one point.

Pittsburgh's dreams of meeting Cleveland in the following week's AFC Championship game died when Brister couldn't handle a shotgun snap and Denver recovered before running out the clock.

The result nullified a great game from Hoge, who totaled 180 yards from scrimmage.

The clock had struck midnight, but this “Cinderella” packed quite a punch.

Derek Pyda is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle