Video: The 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers Defense

by Michael Bean on May 22, 2008 3:58 PM EDT

BehindtheSteelCurtain continues its offseason history lessons with a look at the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

The Steelers finished the '76 season atop the AFC Central standings with a 10-4 record, the same record as the Bengals. 1st place was there's however based on tiebreakers. The team finished the year with the #1 ranked defense in the league.

The Steel Curtain surrendered just 138 points that year, 38 fewer than the next best defense, the Minnesota Vikings'. For comparison's sake, the 2000 Ravens' defense gave up 165 points, and the Bear's best defense in the '80s (1987), gave up 187. Granted, there were only 14 game season in 1976, compared to 16 in '87 and of course 2000, but regardless, on a per-game basis, this defense was better. Simply put, the Steel Curtain was dominant.

Enjoy the following video chronicling the '76 season for the defense, including commentary from Mr. Jack Lambert, who at the time of the video's production, was a Pennsylvania Fish and Game Officer. You better believe there's a few gem quotes from him in there.

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The most underrated team ever!

Forgive me if I gush, the defense for that ‘76 team was the greatest ever. They seemed to pitch shutouts at will. Many of the rule changes that were design to boost the offense were implemented in reaction to this unit. The only reason that they didn’t win a record 3rd straight SB is that in the process of absolutely drubbing the (then) Baltimore Colts 41-14 they lost both of their 1,000 yard rushers, Franco and Rocky to injuries (I was at that game. Shockingly, tickets could be had up until game time. About a third of the crowd were Steeler fans. Also this was the game where a guy flew a plane into the upper deck shortly after the game had ended). They had to play the conference championship game in Oakland with a backfield of Bradshaw, Frenchy Fuqua and little else.

by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on May 22, 2008 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

Greatest D

I ever saw. The way they played from 1-4 was like a horror movie for opposing offensive coordinators. The Steel Curtain did pitch shutouts at will. I really thought they would go to Oakland and win that game because I didn’t know how Oakland or anyone was going to score. I couldn’t believe Bert Jones put up 14 on them. 76 would have been our three peat. That was Oakland’s best team of the decade and they went on and won a SB. Pittsburgh was better. Just not as healthy.
When people talk about the Bears D of 85 or the 00 BrownRaven D I always smirk because I know that someone missed the 70’s.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on May 22, 2008 6:20 PM EDT reply actions

When people talk about the Bears D of 85 or the 00 BrownRaven D I always smirk because I know that someone missed the 70’s.

Usually those people bring up the Steroids issue.

by jason97673 on May 22, 2008 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

The 76 team was the best defensive team I ever saw

But not as good all around as 78 and 79. The passing attack of those early 70s Steelers teams did not yet mature. True, Swann had those four great catches in the 76 Super Bowl, but the Steelers won with defense and running and didn’t feel the urgency to mature the passing attack because they had won two Super Bowls.

After Franco and Bleier got hurt, they realized they were vulnerable and spent more time on the passing game so they wouldn’t be vulnerable again. Those teams in 78 and 79 teams brought the whole package, and part of it was the growth of Bradshaw as well, of course.

When they met the Raiders in 76 the offense simply couldn’t hold their end of the bargain. That would not happen again in the late 70s. All that aside, that 76 team was really fun to watch during that great defensive streak. It all began with Joe Greene. He played a “stunt nose “position that could not be defended. He took out the center and either guard and from there no offense could block all the defenders.

by maryrose on May 22, 2008 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

That was the irony of the rules changes.

One of the biggest beneficiaries was the Steeler offense. Up until and through ‘76 the defense carried the offense. Afterwards things were more balanced; offense improved significantly, particularly the passing game. The maturation of Bradshaw/Swann/Stallworth had a lot to do with that. The defense, quite frankly fell off some, but was still probably the best in the league

by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on May 23, 2008 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Best Quote Ever

“Give us a six-pack and we’ll go out and play them again.”

Love the history lessons guys. Keep them coming.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on May 23, 2008 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

Nasty D

I have high hopes for the young linebackers who are getting ready to become the next great crop of Steeler Backers, but what this video highlights is the need for some Nasty D. I’m talking raw and uninhibited NASTY bordering on dirty defense. I’m not so sure we have that yet…but I’m hoping. Who will be our next Lambert, Lloyd or Porter? I think Silverback has some of those intangibles but I want more!

by Steev1705 on May 23, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions