Photo: USA Today
Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us as we revisit these moments in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series.
If they are things that the Pittsburgh Steelers are known for, legendary players and Super Bowl glory rank at the top. The team boasts a rich history characterized by the success and players who have created iconic moments.
As sports pundits have it, narrowing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top games is difficult. The team has had several moments of success and picking a few would be an injustice to the team and its fans. In this article, we will take a stab at picking the Steelers’ best games.
No article would be complete without mentioning the game that kicked off the Steelers dynasty. Down 7-6 to the visiting Oakland Raiders in the playoffs, Terry Bradshaw would step back to pass on fourth down with only 22 seconds remaining in the game.
A ricocheted pass attempt would find its way into the outstretched hands of Steelers running back Franco Harris, who would take the ball all the way for the game-winning touchdown.
While this game, and its infamous play, are routinely referenced as having turned the Steelers franchise around, Pittsburgh would actually lose in the conference championship one week later to the Miami Dolphins, who are the only team in league history to finish with a perfect unbeaten season.
The Steelers would have to wait two more seasons before finally reaching their first Super Bowl, against the Minnesota Vikings. Even back in this era oddsmakers at the casino set the over/under at 33 points. Pittsburgh was, however, a three-point favorite. Despite the number of Hall of Famers involved, this game was not a high scoring affair.
Pittsburgh would lead the Minnesota 2-0 going into halftime, as Dwight White would tackle Vikings QB Fran Tarkenton in the endzone. This play would also be the first recorded safety in Super Bowl history.
Legendary head coach Chuck Noll would guide his team to two touchdowns in the second half, sealing the Steelers first Super Bowl win 16-6.
Commentators describe the Steelers’ win in Super Bowl XIII as the redemption of Terry Bradshaw, who turned the game around and ending up being declared the best performance in the team’s history for years to come.
Bradshaw had struggled in his previous two seasons under center, something that had many people writing him off. He had missed games due to a variety of reasons, with his numbers taking a dip in 1976 and 1977 where the future Hall of Famer looked anything but, after completing fewer than 50% of his passes for a combined 27 touchdowns and 28 interceptions through 24 games.
Bradshaw would bounce back in a big way in ’78, earning his only All-Pro nod. Facing the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII, Bradshaw would throw for four touchdowns, on his way to being named the game’s MVP and leading the Steelers to a commanding 35-3 win.
Super Bowll XLIII marked the height of the Steelers modern era, as the team led by Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, and several other franchise greats culminated in their then record sixth Lomardi trophy.
The game featured several all-time highlights, headlined by James Harrison‘s 100-yard interception return for a touchdown and Big Ben’s game-winning touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes, who incredibly tapped both toes down inbounds for the score.
This game is widely considered one of the best Super Bowl matchups of all-time as the Steelers dispatched the Arizona Cardinals 27-23, making Mike Tomlin the youngest head coach (at the time) to win a championship ring.
While the Steelers had an incredible battle with the Baltimore Ravens in the 2008 AFC Championship game, heading into Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh never trailed during that matchup of the two division rivals.
A more intense clash of the two foes occurred two seasons later as they met in the second round of the 2010 postseason. The Steelers fell behind 21-7 at halftime and appeared to have no answers for the Ravens, who forced two turnovers throughout the first half.
Pittsburgh adjusted in the second stanza, scoring 24 second half points as the teams went back-and-forth. The Steelers defense would force two fumbles and an interception en route to a 31-24 victory on their path back to their third Super Bowl in seven seasons.
