Ranking the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl victories

The New England Patriots could be hours away from tying the Steelers as the greatest team in Super Bowl history with a sixth title. With there possibly only being half-a-day left alone at the top of the modern-day NFL mountain, I like to revisit the Steelers victories this weekend on DVD, YouTube and in print. It got me to wonder what is the best Steeler victory of all-time. Now they are all sweet to me and I have special memories of each one for various reasons. Which one do you consider the best Steeler Super Bowl win? Please share in the comments which one and why. But first a recap.

Super Bowl IX — 1/12/1975

Pittsburgh Steelers 16 Minnesota Vikings 6

It was the first victory for Art Rooney’s Steelers in his 43rd year as the owner of the once-beleaguered franchise. The game featured two of the most fabled defenses in the game’s history, “The Steel Curtain” and ‘The Purple People Eaters”. The first score was a Dwight White safety of Fran Tarkenton. MVP Franco Harris’ 158-yards eclipsed that of the entire Minnesota defense.

Super Bowl X — 1/18/1976

Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Dallas Cowboys 17

The Steelers first championship repeat and second Super Bowl was the first of three title contests against Dallas known as the Bicentennial Super Bowl. Lynn Swann had 161-yards receiving on four catches. One was an acrobatic grab that is lauded as one of the greatest catches of all time. Swann was named the MVP after catching a 64-yard TD from Bradshaw in which the quarterback was knocked out on the play. Glen Edwards sealed the victory with an interception of Roger Staubach at game’s end.

Super Bowl XIII — 1/21/1979

Pittsburgh Steelers 35 Dallas Cowboys 31

In the first ever rematch of a Super Bowl, MVP Terry Bradshaw recovered from the SB week insults of Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson and threw for then-records of 318 yards and four touchdowns. The game is known for a devestating drop by HOF TE Jackie Smith in the end zone and Jack Lambert’s body slam of Cliff Harris. The Steelers led 35-17, but the Cowboys scored two late touchdowns and a late onside kick failed thus making the Steelers the first three-time SB champs.

Super Bowl XIV — 1/20/1980

Pittsburgh Steelers 31 Los Angeles Rams 19

The victory that cemented the Steelers as the team of the decade was a struggle most of the way. Substitute QB Vince Ferragamo led the 9-7 Rams to a 19-17 lead to start the fourth quarter. MVP Terry Bradshaw and John Stallworth then took over with two long hookups, the last being a 73-yard touchdown. Jack Lambert’s late INT deep in Steeler territory led to a Franco Harris score to seal the game.

Super Bowl XL — 2/6/2006

Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Seattle Seahawks 10

Bill Cowher and the Steelers returned to the Super Bowl after their loss to Dallas ten seasons prior. Ben Roethlisberger struggled in his first SB appearance, but Willie Parker’s scored on a record 75-yard jaunt and Antwaan Randle El’s scoring pass to MVP Hines Ward led the Steelers to their first title in 26 years. Jerome Bettis retired on the podium in his hometown as Steeler Nation celebrated the win.

Super Bowl XLIII — 2/1/2009

Pittsburgh Steelers 27 Arizona Cardinals 23

With Hines Ward limited with a bad back, other heroes emerged in Mike Tomlin’s first and the francise’s sixth Super Bowl victory. James Harrison’s epic 100-yard pick-six to end the first half resulted in a 14-point swing, but two Kurt Warner-to-Larry Fitzgerald scores gave the Cards a late lead in Tampa. But with 2:37 left, Ben Roethlisberger embarked on a 78-yard drive and found MVP Santonio Holmes (9 catches for 131 yards) for a dramatic toe-tapping TD with 35 seconds left. LaMaar Woodley’s second of two sacks resulted in a fumble and iced the game.