Steelers - 5 Years at a Time (1975 - 1979)

by upabob on Dec 18, 2009 8:08 AM EST

Second in the series. First at:

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2009/12/17/1205270/steelers-5-years-at-a-time-1970

1970 - 1974 marked the transition of the Steelers from losers to Super Bowl champions. 1975 - 1979 marked them as the dynasty.

Tag Line - Three Super Bowls in five years; 'Nuf said.

57-17 (.770 pct)

Close Losses %: 41% (7 of 17)

Winning Seasons: 5/5

Double Digit Win Seasons: 4/5

Playoffs: 5 seasons/7-2 record

Championship games: 4 (3-1)

Super Bowls: 3-0

The block that has left Steeler fans spoiled for decades and expecting a Super Bowl every season. A five-year winning percentage of .770 is phenomenal. In 74 games, Pittsburgh lost by more than a touchdown only ten times. Three Super Bowls in five years (plus one in the year before the block).

The 'bad' year was 1977, when the Steelers won five of their last six to edge out the Oilers by one game. But, tied at the half, they fell in Denver in the first round of the playoffs.

KEY MOMENT - Pittsburgh and Oakland had met in the playoffs the three prior seasons, with the 1974 tilt the AFC championship game. They met again in the 1975 conference finale. Pittsburgh was looking to succeed the Dolphins as repeat Super Bowl champs and the Raiders were trying to break the Miami/Pittsburgh stranglehold (something they did the next year).

In a bitterly cold, snowy day in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh led the championship game 3-0 entering the fourth quarter. Even though the Steelers had EIGHT turnovers, they won 16-10, following up with their second straight Super Bowl victory. The Steelers would become the established AFC powerhouse.

SUMMARY - This block marked the Terry Bradshaw Era, which put him in the Hall of Fame. Jersey Joe Gilliam had started the first half of the 1974 season before being replaced by Bradshaw. The Blonde Bomber was at the helm for all three Super Bowls in this block. Pittsburgh had arguably the most successful five year period in NFL history with this block.

In fact, it was half of a ten year run that saw Pittsburgh win 69% of its games, appear in six AFC championships and win four Super Bowls. Wow!

TRIVIA - Has a team ever been as hamstrung in a conference championship game as the 1976 Steelers? Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, the first duo to each rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, both missed the game. Two backs, combining for 2,164 rushing yards, didn't play a single down against a tough Raiders defense. The star back was Reggie Harrison (44 yards). Is it any wonder Pittsburgh lost? Heck, Roy Gerela was out and center Ray Mansfield handled place-kicking duties.

KEEP IN MIND: The purpose of this series is to look at the past forty years of Steeler football to help give a little perspective on an average 2009 that has an awful lot of people worked up. Looking at a five year period instead of one year (less than 12 months after a Super Bowl victory, no less) is a little more level-headed.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

75/78

75; One of my favorite Steelers memories (didn’t “see” the Immaculate Reception as it was blacked out in Pittsburgh) was in X when Lambert tossed Cliff Harris aside like a rag doll. 58 then went on to put on one of the most intimidating displays of LB play in the history of the NFL.

78; The greatest football team in NFL history. In the locker room after XIII The Emperor Chas Noll stated “This team hasn’t peaked yet.” He was right. The Steelers officially peaked in the 4th quarter of XIV when Bradshaw hit Stallworth with 2 bombs and the Steelers captured their 4th world title.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Dec 18, 2009 12:22 PM EST reply actions

Agreed...................................

Lambert-Harris classic. Lambert is said to have remarked on the incident “no one intimidates us, we’re the intimidators”. Have watched that many, many times. I get goose bumps every time I see it.

by grapes on Dec 18, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions

in 1977

the oilers beat the bengals to get us in the playoffs. We did NOT peak in the 4th quarter in 1979…just the opposite, we were in decline…we actually peaked during the 1979 season when we crushed Denver 42-0 on monday night football, dallas 14-3 officially retiring Roger stauback, Washington and KC all in succession..then things started to slip..we got blown out by san diego..Luckily, Houston knocked them off in the playoffs, we were the number 2 seed that year..

by nycsteelerfan on Dec 18, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions

4th Quarter In XIV

I’ll never forget when the clock expired to end the third quarter at XIV. The Rams had a 19-17 lead and the ball. Their offense sprinted to the other end of the field to continue their drive while the Steelers sucked wind with hands on their knees. Legend has it that Lambert berated them the entire trip to the other side of the field.

As the Rams drove deeper into Steelers territory and with the 4th quarter ticking away their HOF MLB Jack Lambert picked off Vince Ferragamo inside the 15 yard line. Bradshaw hit Stallworth twice deep (once for a TD) and the Steelers win 31-17. Then it was all over for 26 years.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Dec 18, 2009 9:50 PM EST up reply actions

Another classic is Jack Fleming's call of Stallworth's touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Rams SB.

by grapes on Dec 18, 2009 11:44 PM EST up reply actions

That SD game sucked.

I think Bradshaw was intercepted five times? I was a high school freshmen that fall. That game devestated me.

by grapes on Dec 18, 2009 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

OK but today things are a lot different.

The 1970s Steelers were able to hold onto most of their best players year after year. And frankly, if you watch videos of the old Steeler playoffs and SBs during that period, they dominated in a way that is totally unknown in the NFL today.

This might only be my view, but when I watch the Steelers of the 1970s play in crucial, must-win games, they sure look a heck of a lot more solid than any team playing the game today. And if the NFL continues to mess with their product as they have continually during the past 25 years, it might morph into something that people aren’t as interested in watching anymore.

by Billy52 on Dec 18, 2009 2:31 PM EST reply actions

It Was An Unbelievable Time In Steelers Football

And you’re right on 52. Not sure if you were there but those were different times. As dominating as the 2008 Steelers defense was, imagine a Steelers defense that dominated like that for 6 straight years. That was Steelers football circa 74-79.
That doesn’t work in today’s NFL where the league’s success is interdependent on all teams having a shot at the Lombardi. That’s what makes 05-08 run so amazing on it’s own merit.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Dec 18, 2009 9:40 PM EST up reply actions

Very true

I think it’ll be a long time before the Steelers win 2 SBs in 4 years again. And, yes, I was there to see the old 70s teams (graduated from H.S. in 1969). In fact, I was at Three Rivers when Franco caught the Immaculate Reception. I don’t think the young people today truly understand what a special team that was. Absolutely no weaknesses anywhere and every player played with the enthusiasm of Hines Ward.

by Billy52 on Dec 18, 2009 10:15 PM EST up reply actions