| | 
 Classic Games Menu
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | Up-to-Date
News, Info & Stats |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1946 Steelers 14 vs Redskins 7
A truly fascinating game from the early days of the NFL featuring Hall of Famers Bullet Bill Dudley and Slingin' Sammy Baugh. The rarity of a game from this era shot in color makes it a very compelling watch.
Leather helmets, both teams wearing "home colors" (the game is played at Forbes Field), nearly all players playing both ways (plus special teams), massive differences in blocking techniques, the ostensibly quarterback-less "Single Wing T" nature of Pittsburgh's offense... all of these things make this game incredibly fascinating and entertaining.
The Redskins move the ball well early, with Baugh completing a trademark deep "sling pass" in which he seems to just heave the ball up for grabs, yet it comes down perfectly on target and hits the receiver perfectly in stride. Baugh does this multiple times throughout the game. But Baugh also throws INTs on Washington's first two drives, both deep in Steelers territory.
On the second pick, Bill Dudley breaks on the ball, catches it in stride and races 80-yards down the left sideline, avoiding Baugh's last ditch diving tackle on his way into the end zone. Official stats credit Bill Dudley for the PAT, but Merl Condit actually kicks the extra point. Dudley -- who is Pittsburgh's QB, leading rusher and leads the league in INTs-- also does most of the place kicking and handles punting and punt/kick returns.
Dudley executes a surprise 3rd down quick-kick that travels 57 yards to pin the Redskins at their own 13, then follows up with a scintillating 52-yard punt return to the Redskin 11, only to miss a short FG attempt after a stout Washington goal-line stand. Sammy Baugh throws a terrible pick a few plays later, to set up short Pittsburgh drive featuring Pittsburgh's only pass completion of the game, capped by a 5-yard TD run for a 14-0 lead early in the 4th.
Washington fights back, as Sammy Baugh brilliantly mixes runs and passes to drive deep into Pittsburgh territory, finally scoring on a short QB plunge. The Redskins get no closer, however, as two desperation drives end in Baugh sacks to clinch a hard-fought Steeler victory.
This footage has no sound, so I've added appropriate NFL Films music. A very special thanks to Kevin Gnegy for generously providing this rare look into the early days of the Steelers!
|
|
1970 Steelers 21 vs Giants 6 Preseason
A preseason matchup filled with firsts: The first Steelers game played at Three Rivers Stadium, Terry Bradshaw's first game in Pittsburgh, Bradshaw's first TD pass as a pro (a picture-perfect 37-yard bomb to Ron Shanklin), Terry's first TV interview with Howard Cosell and the first-ever game by the Monday Night Football crew on ABC.
Rookie Bradshaw plays remarkably well (15 of 23, 244 yds, 1 TD, 1 Int) as the Steelers jump out to a 14-0 lead courtesy of a Preston Pearson TD run and the aforementioned Bradshaw bomb. Missing a few plays at the start of the 2nd half, but features some nice pregame and halftime commentary as well as all of the old commercials.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1972 Steelers 23 vs Vikings 10
A Frenchy Fuqua fumble at the Steeler 20 sets the Vikings up with great field position, but Minnesota can't move the ball and settles for a FG. The Vikings drive to the Steeler 7 on the next series, but on 4th and a foot, the fledgling Steel Curtain stops RB Bill Brown cold for no gain. A Minnesota fumble deep in their own territory sets up a perfectly blocked sweep right for a 12-yard Franco Harris score and a 7-3 Pittsburgh lead.
Then start the special teams foibles for Minnesota. Not once but twice, the Vikings line up to kick virtually automatic FGs (12 and 14 yards) and holder Paul Krause fumbles the snap. The two teams are locked in a 10-10 tie with about eight minutes remaining in the game when Franco (17 carries, 128 yds, 1 TD) takes a middle draw, cuts back to the right to avoid the rush and gallops around right end for 61 yards before being knocked out of hounds at the 1-yard line. A play later, Bradshaw dives over the goal line and a QB sneak for the winning TD.
|
|
1972 Steelers 30 vs Browns 0 - RADIO ONLY
WTAE radio broadcast only featuring Jack Fleming and Myron Cope pitting the 8-3 Steelers against the 8-3 Browns to decide the AFC Central.
The Steelers demolish the Browns on both sides of the ball. Rookie sensation Franco Harris ties Jim Brown's record of 6 straight games with 100 yards rushing, while the fledgling Steel Curtain defense posts the Steelers' first-ever shutout of the Browns, and their first shut-out since 1963.
So dominant are the Steelers that Franco's 128 yards from scrimmage (102 rushing and 26 receiving) surpasses Cleveland's entire offensive output (just 126 total yds). A special thanks to Doug Kovach for providing this game!
|
|
1972 Immaculate Reception NBC Broadcast
(Play Only - not entire game)
NBC's original television broadcast of the famous "Immaculate Reception." This is the PLAY ONLY, not the full game broadcast. Very nice video quality. Looking forward to the day the complete game finally emerges from the shadows. Until then, enjoy this great-quality footage.
|
|
Immaculate Reception "All 22" Wide Angle Game Film
(Play Only - not entire game)
Truly amazing wide angle "All 22" wide angle game film of the "Immaculate Reception." We edited it to show full speed, slow motion and added enhanced closeup views (along with the projector sound effect). Not sure who is responsible for making the raw footage available after nearly 50 years, but THANK YOU!
|
|
Immaculate Reception - New Footage!
(Catch, end of game, referee's controversial phone call - not entire game)
WOW!!! Recently discovered footage of the end of the Immaculate Reception game showing Franco's miraculous catch and the frenzied aftermath, including referee Fred Swearingen's controversial phone call to NFL Senior Official Art McNally.
It's noteworthy that the announcers who witnessed the play first-hand don't even question that 1) the ball hit Tatum, and 2) Franco caught the ball. These realities are obvious in this broadcast, and other recently discovered footage such as the wide angle "All 22" game film (which the Raiders kept hidden for nearly 50 years) also confirm it.
|
|
1972 AFC Championship Steelers 17 vs Dolphins 21 AP Footage
Not the full game, unfortunately, but contains 4-1/2 minutes of short clips of key plays and scoring from footage of the game shot from the "other side" of the field that was distributed by the Associated Press along with another 1-1/2 minutes of actual broadcast footage of key plays in black and white. Short, but an interesting view. Poor special teams play and a pair of horrific Terry Bradshaw picks cost the Steelers a game might have otherwise won.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1973 Steelers 26 at Dolphins 30 MNF
Rookie QB Joe Gilliam is initiated in his first-ever start at the hands of the dynastic Dolphins... with miserable results. "Jefferson Street Joe" goes 0-7 with 3 Ints (including 1 for a TD) and Miami leads 20-0 before the crowd even settles into their seats. In comes the injured Terry Bradshaw, who immediately throws an Int of his own, also returned for a TD.
At 27-0 against the Fins, game over, right? Wrong. The Steelers use a fake punt to set up a TD on their opening drive of the 2nd half, narrowing the score to 30-10. Franco later scores on a 21-yard burst, and beads of sweat appear on Don Shula's forehead as the Dolphin lead shrinks to 30-17. Late in the 4th, Larry Csonka coughs up his 2nd fumble of the night, and Bradshaw immediately throws a TD pass, making it 30-24 with 4:38 remaining.
The Fins fail to run out the clock, and take a safety (30-26), free-kicking the ball to the Steelers with 1:04 remaining. Unfortunately, Bradshaw can't get the team into the end zone, but all and all, a gallant effort by Pittsburgh's dynasty-in-waiting. Note: Miami DB Dick Anderson has 4 Ints in this game.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1974 Steelers 26 at Browns 16 - RADIO ONLY
WTAE RADIO BROADCAST ONLY called by Jack Fleming and Myron Cope. The Steelers get their first win in 10 years at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on the legs of Franco Harris (23 carries, 156 yds) and overwhelming defense.
Terry Hanratty -- starting for a benched Bradshaw after a loss to Cinci -- is horrific, completing just 2 of 15 with 3 INTs. Thankfully, 1 of those completions is for Pittsburgh's only offensive TD of the game, a 28-yd score to Ron Shanklin. But that TD is offset when Hanratty throws a pick-6 to Van Green in the 3rd quarter.
The Steel Curtain picks up the slack, terrorizing rookie Brian Sipe for 3 INTs and 4 sacks and forcing 6 fumbles (recovering 4). JT Thomas snags 2 INTs and returns a fumble for a TD, while Joe Green gets the first INT of his career and his recovery/lateral of a fumble results in the Thomas TD.
Mel Blount subbing for an injured Preston Pearson, shines on special teams with 3 kick returns for 103 yds, including a 60-yarder. Gerela adds 4 FGs as the Steelers rally to overcome a 16-13 4th quarter deficit.
|
Bonus Footage
TWIPF Highlights (8:10)
|
1974 AFC Playoffs Steelers 32 vs Bills 14 - RADIO ONLY
RADIO BROADCAST ONLY called by Don Criqui and Frank Sweeny. The Steelers explode for 26 points in the 2nd quarter to earn a trip to the AFC Championship game. Early on, it doesn't look like a rout as the Bills jump out to a 7-3 lead. But Bradshaw's balanced play calling, elusiveness in the pocket and accuracy on the run soon blow things open.
On Pittsburgh's first TD drive, Terry scrambles left for one first down, scrambles right for another, then cooly surveys the field to find Bleier on a beautiful 27-yd wheel route for the first TD catch of Rocky's career. In a portend of things to come, rookie Lynn Swann comes off the bench (!) in the 2nd quarter and immediately makes an impact with multiple huge plays to set up 2 TDs, including a 25-yd end around and a diving, sliding 35-yd catch at the 5.
With the O-line blowing people off the ball and controlling the tempo of the game, Franco Harris scores 3 TDs and rushes for 74 yds. Meanwhile, the Steel Curtain smothers the "Electric Company," limiting OJ Simpson to just 49 yds on 17 carries, his second lowest output of the season. Bradshaw finishes 12 of 19 for 203 yds, 1 TD with 5 rushes for 48 yds.
|
NBC TV Broadcast w/Gowdy, Meredith & DeRogatis
NBC TV Broadcast synced w/Jones & DeLuca, many missing plays added in
|
1974 AFC Championship Steelers 24 at Raiders 13 - w/Gowdy & Meredith
1974 AFC Championship Steelers 24 at Raiders 13 - w/Jones & DeLuca
The Steel Curtain bankrupts the hated Raiders in perhaps the most pivotal game in team history. Pittsburgh limits Oakland's #1-ranked offense to a paltry 29 yards rushing in 21 attempts (a puny 1.4 yd avg) and forcing Ken Stabler into 3 crippling INTs, despite a career game by Cliff Branch (9 catches, 186 yds).
The Steelers physically dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball from the outset, but in spite of driving inside the Raider 10 multiple times, Pittsburgh has only 3 points to show for it after 3 quarters due to poor kicking, poor officiating (a beautiful one-handed TD catch by John Stallworth is incorrectly ruled out of bounds) and mental errors.
Undaunted, the Steelers continue to gouge the Raiders repeatedly with perfectly executed trap plays. Franco Harris finally punches it into the end zone on the first play of the 4th quarter, tying the game at 10 apiece as the Steelers begin a 21-point scoring explosion in the final period. Pittsburgh continues to pile it on courtesy of a brilliant Jack Ham INT (his 2nd of the day) which he returns to the Raider 9-yard line, setting up Terry Bradshaw's go-ahead 6-yard TD dart to Lynn Swann.
Franco Harris (29 carries, 111 yds, 2 TD) and Rocky Bleier (18 carries, 98 yds) benefit all afternoon from superb play by the Steeler O-line, punishing the Raiders for 224 yards on the ground. Again capitalizing on a Stabler INT (this time by J.T. Thomas), the Steelers finally seal their trip to the Super Bowl on Franco's 21-yd TD scamper in the final minute of the game. Missing a few minutes of footage just before the half; includes lots of old commercials.
Note: There are two versions of this game, both have excellent video quality. The first is the NBC broadcast with Curt Gowdy, Al Derogatis and Don Meredith calling the game. There are about 30 minutes of footage missing from this game. The second is the same NBC broadcast of the game synced with the complete Mutual Broadcast radio call from Charlie Jones and Sam DeLuca, and we've synced in highlight video footage for many of the key missing plays.
|
|
Super Bowl IX Pregame
Approximately 45 minutes of pregame material from Super Bowl IX. Features "The Super Bowl, What Does It Mean?" program with pregame footage from New Orleans, interviews of Art Rooney, Sr., Joe Namath, Don Meredith, etc., followed by the National Anthem and more.
|
Complete NBC Broadcast with Curt Gowdy & Don Meredith
Complete NBC Broadcast with Jack Fleming & Myron Cope
|
Super Bowl IX Steelers 16 vs Vikings 6 - w/Gowdy & Meredith
Super Bowl IX Steelers 16 vs Vikings 6 - w/Fleming & Cope
The Steel Curtain absolutely CRUSHES Minnesota, finally winning a championship for "The Chief" while limiting Fran Tarkenton's supposedly high-powered offense to a paltry 119 total yards -- 17 rushing yards on 22 carries (an embarrassing average of 0.8 yds per carry) and 102 yards passing with 3 INTs -- a Super Bowl record which still stands today.
MVP Franco Harris (34 carries, 158 yards, 1 TD) is virtually unstoppable, Bradshaw is smart and efficient and the Pittsburgh offensive line simply manhandles Minnesota's famous Purple People Eaters. Defensively, the Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain is nothing short of phenomenal, especially the front four in what is easily the most dominating performance by a defensive line in Super Bowl history. Mean Joe Greene is overwhelming, Fats Holmes is immovable and L.C. Greenwood is in Tarkenton's face all afternoon, smacking down 3 passes and forcing numerous poor throws.
But perhaps most noteworthy is the performance of Dwight White, which is nothing short of heroic. White -- who spent the week in the hospital with pneumonia and lost 18 pounds -- totally dominates, scoring the game's first points on a safety and batting multiple passes, one of which is intercepted by Joe Greene.
Minnesota's offense crosses into Pittsburgh territory 4 times, The first, the result of a Bleier fumble, ends in a missed FG. Their 2nd trip ends in a Mel Blount INT after Glen Edwards nearly decapitates WR John Gilliam, popping the ball 20 feet into the air and right into Blount's waiting arms. The 3rd ends when Joe Green intercepts a Tarkenton pass batted by Dwight White near midfield. And the 4th and most promising (following a 42-yd pass interference penalty that puts the ball at the Pittsburgh 5) ends when Mean Joe recovers a Chuck Foreman fumble (forced by Ernie Holmes).
Had the Vikings not scored a TD on a blocked punt, this one would've been a shut out. Includes the halftime, commercials and 30 minutes of postgame material including the trophy presentation, fan interviews and round table player interviews with Bradshaw, Franco, Rocky and several members of the defense.
Note: There are two different versions of this game, both have excellent video quality. The first is the complete NBC broadcast (including full halftime show, some pregame and some postgame) with Curt Gowdy and Don Meredith calling the game. The second is the NBC broadcast of the game with the WTAE radio call from the incomparable Jack Fleming and Myron Cope dubbed in (no halftime show).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1975 Steelers 3 at Rams 10 SNF
Second half only. With the #1 seed in the AFC wrapped up and little at stake for the 12-1 Steelers in this rare Saturday Night matchup, getting out of the game healthy is Pittsburgh's primary objective. As a result, Noll rests Terry Bradshaw and plays reserve Joe Gilliam at QB (although Gilliam is knocked out of the game twice, briefly forcing Bradshaw back into action).
The 11-2 Rams, on the other hand, are a team with plenty to play for. Needing a win to secure homefield advantage over the Vikings, the Rams defense comes at the Steelers hard. Predictably, this defensive battle is deadlocked in a 3-3 tie after 3 quarters. While Gilliam struggles, throwing 2 INTs including a back-breaker at the Rams 5 after driving to the L.A. 13, Franco Harris is outstanding, rushing for 126 yds on 21 carries vs. a normally staunch Rams rush defense.
But it's a Franco fumble near midfield early in the 4th quarter that finally jumpstarts the Rams, who had -10 yds passing through 3 quarters. Suddenly, backup QB Ron Jaworski comes to life and leads a drive to the Steeler 5 where he keeps the ball on a well-executed QB draw to score the game's only TD. A huge thank you goes out to Jay Korber for generously providing us with this game!
|
|
1975 AFC Playoffs Steelers 28 vs Colts 10 - RADIO ONLY
Armed Forces Radio broadcast with Don Criqui & Al Wester. Andy Russell seals it with a 93-yd return of a Bert Jones fumble dubbed "the longest, slowest TD ever witnessed." Despite 5 turnovers, but the Steel Curtain forces 3 turnovers and 5 sacks and holds Baltimore to just 154 yds. Meanwhile, Franco runs roughshod over the Colts, piling up 153 yds and a TD on 27 carries.
Pittsburgh scores first after Bert Jones is injured and Jack Ham picks off backup Marty Domres to set up Franco's TD. Lloyd Mumphord returns a Bradshaw INT 58 yds to set up a Domres TD pass (1 of only 2 completions in 11 attempts). A Franco fumble sets up a FG to gove the Colts a surpizing 10-7 lead midway through the 3rd quarter. But Mel Blount returns an INT to the Colts 7 and Bleier powers into the end zone a play later for a 14-10 lead.
With 6 minutes left in the game, a hobbling Terry Bradshaw (injured late in the first half) dives into the end zone for a 2-yd TD. Trailing 21-10, Bert Jones returns and valiantly leads the Colts to the Steeler 3-yd line. But a blitzing Jack Ham blindsides Jones and forces a fumble. Russell scoops it up and lopes 93 yds and the rest is history. A special thanks to Doug Kovach for contributing this game!
|
NBC TV Broadcast with Gowdy, DeRogatis & Meredith
NBC TV Broadcast synced with Lindsey Nelson and Al Wester (Mutual Radio)
|
1975 AFC Championship Steelers 16 vs Raiders 10 - w/Gowdy & Meredith
1975 AFC Championship Steelers 16 vs Raiders 10 - w/Nelson & Roberts
To say there is bad blood in the fourth consecutive playoff meeting between the Steelers and Raiders would be an understatement. This is pure hatred at the height of a rivalry more bitter than the minus-10 windchill at kickoff.
For their part, the Raiders are full of cheap shots (one of which lands Lynn Swann in an ambulance with a severe concussion) and conspiracy theories about icy field conditions. But ultimately, it's the Steel Curtain, not the icy turf, that breaks the heart of Al Davis.
Aside from the 12 turnovers committed in this game (7 by Pittsburgh, 5 by Oakland), one of the most amazing stats is that the Raiders move the ball into Steeler territory 9 times through 3 quarters -- 5 times inside the 30 -- and have ZERO points to show for it.
Jack Lambert recovers a post-season record 3 fumbles and Mike Wagner intercepts 2 Stabler passes in a slugfest which leaves the Steelers clinging to a 3-0 lead after three quarters. But Pittsburgh's offense finds paydirt twice in the final period, first on a beautiful improvisational run by Frano Harris for a 25-yd score (keyed by an outstanding crackback block by John Stallworth) to extend their lead to 10-0, and finally icing the game (pun intended) on a 20-yd Bradshaw to Stallworth TD strike to put Pittsburgh up 16-7 late in the contest.
In the final moments of the game, Oakland keeps fighting, narrowing the score to 16-10 with a field goal and recovering the ensuing onside kick with just 7 seconds remaining. But time runs out on a 37-yd pass to Cliff Branch at the Steeler 15, and the Steelers advance to their second consecutive Super Bowl.
Note: There are two different versions of this game. The first is the complete NBC broadcast (including many commercials and some pregame) with Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis and Don Meredith calling the game. The second is the same NBC TV broadcast synced with the Mutual Broadcasting Radio call of the legendary Lindsey Nelson and Al Wester.
|
Absolutely PERFECT quality original CBS Broadcast
Same PERFECT recording w/Jack Fleming and Myron Cope dubbed in
Excellent quality w/pregame, halftime and commercials
Bonus Footage
Swann's 4 Catches (3:20)
Greatest Throw (2:52)
|
Super Bowl X Steelers 21 vs Cowboys 17 - PERFECT Quality Broadcast
Super Bowl X Steelers 21 vs Cowboys 17 - PERFECT w/Fleming & Cope
Super Bowl X Steelers 21 vs Cowboys 17 - w/halftime & commercials
Lynn Swann soars in the greatest big-game performance by any receiver ever in one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played!
Dallas turns a botched Steelers punt into a quick 7 points and in spite of Pittsburgh's statistical dominance, the Cowboys actually lead 10-7 after 3 quarters. But the 4th quarter is all Pittsburgh as the Steel Curtain and a rabid Jack Lambert shine in one of the most exciting Super Bowls of all time.
Swann is clearly the star, hauling in 4 miraculous catches for 161 yards and the game-winning TD. But Lambert is a close 2nd for MVP in this one. I'm telling you, he just EXPLODES on people in a complete frenzy, screaming & yelling, flailing his arms, getting in people's faces. His body-slam of Cliff Harris gets a lot of press, but what Lambert did while the clock was running is much more impressive. There are a couple of solo tackles Lambert makes that sound like gunshots. This was in Jan. of '75, folks... there were no fancy-schmancy, high-tech mics to enhance the sound of the hits back then. He's just HAMMERING people.
The tide turns in Pittsburgh's favor for good when Reggie Harrison blocks a punt for a safety early in the final period. A Gerela FG a shortly thereafter gives Pittsburgh a 12-10 lead and a brilliant Mike Wagner INT deep in Dallas territory sets up another Gerela FG a few plays later.
The nail in the coffin is Lynn Swann's final catch of the afternoon, a picture-perfect 64-yard deep post from Bradshaw (voted "the Greatest Pass of All Time" by NFL Films) to give Pittsburgh an insurmountable 21-10 lead. Give Dallas credit... they fight until the bitter end, but Glen Edwards picks off Staubach's final desperation pass in the end zone as time expires.
Note: There are three different versions of this game. The first version (click here) is an absolutely PERFECT quality recording of the original CBS broadcast with Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier calling the game (no halftime show, pre/postgame or commercials).
The second version (click here) is the same PERFECT video quality recording, but we've dubbed in the radio call from Jack Fleming and Myron Cope (which includes 30 minutes of postgame audio interviews by Myron Cope).
The third version (click here), which features excellent video quality, is the complete CBS broadcast w/Summerall and Brookshier and includes commercials, some pregame material with player introductions and the National Anthem, the complete halftime show as well as lots of postgame material including the Lombardi Trophy presentation, game highlights and numerous locker room interviews with players and coaches from both sides.
|
|
| |
| |
|
I find the above stats incredibly interesting. It's worth noting the Steelers offense was among the top 5 for most points scored as often as the defense was in the top 5 for fewest points allowed during their 8-year playoff run (6 times each). At first glance, the strength of their offensive ranking could lead one to believe that the Steeler offense was grossly underrated during the early years of the Steel Curtain. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear the incredible play of the defense was setting up scoring opportunities for the offense (as evidenced by higher offensive point rankings than yardage rankings in nearly every season during this span). It's also worth nothing that when the defense finally succumbed to age and became "average," the dynasty instantly ended.
|
| |
|
|
