After playing high school football at West Side Central Catholic H. S. (later Bishop O'Reilly, now closed), Pisarcik attended New Mexico State University.
He began his NFL career with the New York Giants and is best remembered for his role in the November 19, 1978, game where the Giants, ahead 17–12 with only seconds to play and their opponent out of time-outs, lost after his handoff (a play called by offensive coordinator Bob Gibson over Pisarcik's objections) to Larry Csonka was fumbled and returned for a touchdown by Herman Edwards of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The play has since been referred to as "The Fumble" by Giants fans and "The Miracle at the Meadowlands" by Eagles fans, and it was instrumental in making the quarterback kneel (also known as "taking a knee") a routine play for running down the clock at the end of a game.
Pisarcik was traded to the Eagles in 1980 for a sixth round pick, primarily as the backup to quarterback Ron Jaworski.
A resident of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Pisarcik has five children: Kristin, Lindsey, Jake, Joseph and Katie.