The Steelers came close to winning three consecutive Super Bowls in row in 1976 and had another chance in 1980.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be joining the other 29 NFL Franchises in watching the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XLIX. The Chiefs have the opportunity to do what no NFL team has done since the merger: win three consecutive Super Bowls. The Steelers weren't so far away from this feat. In fact, they were in that position twice.
The Steelers of the 1970's were seen as the gold-standard of a dynasty for decades. Their accomplishments were highlighted by an outstanding 1974 draft class , multiple Hall of Famers, and of course four championships in six years. They were the team of the 70s for a reason.
Since then, the evolution of the salary cap, free agency, and even drafting players has shifted the standard of a dynasty to more recent teams. The New England Patriots , of course, stand out with their six championship victories out of nine appearances over the course of 18 seasons.
Gillette Stadium Foxborough, Massachusetts USA New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers New England Quarterback Tom Brady Action NFL 10 September 2015
Then there is the most recent dynasty: the Kansas City Chiefs . Whether you like them or not, there is one thing they have a step ahead of the Patriots in: they are one win away from the NFL's only "three-peat" in Super Bowls. Though the Patriots went to three consecutive Super Bowls from 2016-2018, they were defeated in their second trip. The Chiefs are the closest any team has ever come to this monumental accomplishment.
Close, but No Cigar
The Steelers of the 1970s came close to this accomplishment only once. The 1980 Pittsburgh Steelers were the repeat defending champions coming into the season. However, as Chuck Noll told his wife after their fourth title , the team was much older and had not had any high draft picks recently. Impact players such as Terry Bradshaw, Joe Greene, and Franco Harris were all selected in the front half of the draft.
Steelers retired jersey number exhibit for Franco Harris. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
They would finish the 1980 season with a winning record at 9-7, but miss the playoffs. Their AFC foe Oakland Raiders would take their second franchise Super Bowl that season. One would look at this season and think, "They were a long ways away despite being so close. Right?"
As Close as They Got
You wouldn't be totally wrong to think that. There was a Steelers team that came even closer. The historical 1976 squad.
The Steelers had just defeated the Dallas Cowboys , drafted a stud tight end in the first round, and returned most of their key starters in the hunt for a third-consecutive Lombardi trophy. They were primed for it. Despite this, their start was less than optimal.
They began their season in Oakland and were defeated 31-28 by the Raiders–the eventual Super Bowl champions that season. It was a sweet revenge for Oakland, who had fallen to the Steelers the previous two postseason matchups. The Steelers struggled to pick up their footsteps and slid to a 1-4 start.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers get together for a photograph at their motel in Miami, Florida on Thursday, Jan. 15, 1976, before starting their day?s practice for Super Bowl X against the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday. From left are: Andy Russell, Jack Lambert, and Jack Ham. (AP Photo/Jim Kerlin)
The Steelers suffering injuries at quarterback and other spots left them in distress. The lore of the Steelers has it that in a players-only meeting, Jack Lambert made it clear to his team: they would have to be perfect to make the playoffs and defend their title.
They were damn-near perfect. They won their final nine regular-season contests that included only allowing 28 points on defense–including five shutouts. The Steelers dominated the Baltimore Colts and found themselves back in the stadium where they began their season.
It was truly the Raiders year as they would defeat the Steelers 24-7 who lost their top running backs the week before to injury. That was as close as the Steelers got to securing three consecutive championships.
So close, yet so far away…
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