1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season

1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Head coach	Chuck Noll
General manager	Daniel M. Rooney
Owner	Art Rooney
Home field	Three Rivers Stadium
Results
Record	12–2
Division place	1st AFC Central
Playoff finish	Won Divisional Round (Colts) 28-10 Won AFC Championship (Raiders) 16-10 Won Super Bowl X (Cowboys) 21–17
Pro Bowlers	11 CB Mel Blount QB Terry Bradshaw S Glen Edwards DT Joe Greene DE L. C. Greenwood LB Jack Ham RB Franco Harris LB Jack Lambert LB Andy Russell WR Lynn Swann S Mike Wagner
AP All-Pros	7 Mel Blount (1st team) L. C. Greenwood (1st team) Jack Ham (1st team) Franco Harris (2nd team) Joe Greene (2nd team) Jack Lambert (2nd team) Lynn Swann (2nd team)
Team MVP	Mel Blount
Team ROY	John Banaszak

The 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers team was the second championship team in club history. This Steelers team entered the beginning of the season as defending champions for the first time in their 40-year history. The team was led by dominating defense, and a quick offense to win Super Bowl X over the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17. The team posted their best defensive numbers since 1946, and scored more points than any other Steeler team to that point.

There are two types of Super Bowl teams that no one really remembers: 1--the team that lost the game, and 2--the team that only won one. The 1975 Steelers took that to heart and began the season as defending champions for the first time ever. For some, the Super Bowl is an ending. For the Steelers, it was only the beginning. Chuck Noll was eagerly preparing his team for the '75 championship in the locker room of old Tulane Stadium after Super Bowl IX. Noll left the hanging message that they could be better and win more and more as time went on. Nearly every player on the Pittsburgh roster had been drafted and developed under Noll, so it was little surprise that their players, like their coach, would be not satisfied with just one ring.

In Week 1, the Steelers were hosted by the San Diego Chargers. They played good defense, but played better offense as the Steelers won, 37-0. So they returned home to play the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. Chuck Noll had warned them the team wasn't playing well, but the team tried to shrug it off and win the way they had the previous week. However, Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushed for 227 yards, the most a Steelers defense had ever allowed. They took the humiliating loss and began an 11-game win streak that is still one of the best efforts in club history. An angry defense clamped down for the next three weeks on Cleveland, Denver, and Chicago and the offense scored a total of 99 points during the three games. The team realized they had to elevate their play to reach the Super Bowl again. They continually began to do just that. One of the team standouts that season was 2-year WR Lynn Swann. In his rookie 1974 season, Swann caught 11 passes. In 1975, he caught 11 touchdowns. His determination and talent combined to create one of the most consistent receivers the Steelers have ever had.

The Steelers visited Green Bay and Cincinnati and won scoring a total of 46 points. The emergence of Lynn and fellow WR #82 John Stallworth were continually making their quarterback, #12 Terry Bradshaw better after every week. The 1975 season was the first time that a division ever had three 10-game winning teams. They had already beaten the Bengals, and in Week 8, the 6-1 Steelers hosted the 6-1 Oilers. With the game tied in the final minutes, a catch in the endzone by John Stallworth placed them at the top of their division, 24-17. RB #32 Franco Harris was another standout for the Steelers, rushing for more yards than any other back except for O.J. Simpson. The Steelers had won more games, scored more points, and allowed fewer than in 1974. Just before beating New York, the Steelers beat the Oilers and won over the Bengals again for the AFC Central title. After losing a meaningless game in Los Angeles, the Steelers were ready for the playoffs.

The Steelers opened the playoffs with a 12-2 record and were ready for the 10-4 Baltimore Colts. While the Steel Curtain held down the Colts, the offense stalled out in a cold and wet Three Rivers Stadium. They turned the ball over five times. But an interception by CB Mel Blount gave a chance for the Steelers to take over. After a Rocky Bleier, #20, touchdown, a fumble recovery by LB #34 Andy Russell looked to seal the game. However, it wasn't before Andy took the ball on what Sports Illustrated called "the longest slowest touchdown ever witnessed". The Steelers won, 28-10, and prepared for their rival, the Oakland Raiders. Like last year, the Steelers would play the AFC Championship against them, however, this time in the comfort of Three Rivers and the ice. All week the weather was awful in Pittsburgh, after the field tarp split during the night, the sidelines became iced over and narrowed the field for the deep outside passing game of Oakland. The teams scored a total of 3 points in the first three quarters. Both teams combined for 13 turnovers. The most heated rivalry was stuck in a deep-freeze. It had been escalating for four years, and now it was escalating on every play. During the 3rd, #88 Lynn Swann was taken out of the game by a clothesline tackle from Raiders S #43 George Atkinson. He had been knocked out and later, was in the hospital. In the 4th quarter, the Steelers scored on a 25-yard run to the outside by #32 Franco Harris. It was a play in which John Stallworth made a key block on two Raider defenders. Later, a 20-yard pass caught by Stallworth put them up, 16-7. The game ended on a #12 Ken Stabler pass to #21 Cliff Branch, who was tackled down by CB #47 Mel Blount. The Steelers were headed to the Super Bowl again.

For the first time ever, the Super Bowl matched two teams that had already won Lombardi Trophies. Most the pre-game hype was centered around the health of Lynn Swann, who was given the worst concussion he had ever had. A statement made by Cowboys safety Cliff Harris had angered Swann. Swann was not the only Steeler who was challenged. The Cowboys scored quickly on a 29-yard pass to #88 Drew Pearson. The defense had allowed the first 1st quarter touchdown on the Steelers all year. However, a determined Lynn Swann made a leaping sideline catch over Cowboys CB #46 Mark Washington. Later, he made the catch that is often repeated by NFL Films as one of the greatest catches in NFL History. Bradshaw threw it deep to Swann who was covered very well by Washington again. However, when the ball was batted it, it began to fall. As the ball and Swann was falling, he was able to stick his hands up and grab it with Washington underneath him. At the end of the first half, the Cowboys were leading 10-7. The Steelers defense was very challenged by the complicated Cowboy offense. However, the Cowboys had never seen a defense quite like the Steelers. Roger Staubach was sacked 7 times for a loss of 42 yards. When the third quarter resumed, Cowboys' safety #43 Cliff Harris began to taunt Steelers kicker #10, Roy Gerela. LB #58 Jack Lambert, seeing this, ran over and threw Harris to the ground. It was a crucial moment in the game, as a huge momentum shift. S #23 Mike Wagner's interception helped the Steelers to their first lead. As usual, they saved their best for last. However, a long touchdown catch by Lynn Swann had come to a cost, as Bradshaw was shaken up and forced to leave the game. A Dallas touchdown cut their lead to 4. When #5 Terry Hanratty took over, Chuck Noll made an unusual decision. On 4th and 9, the Steelers ran the ball up the middle, giving the ball back to the Cowboys near mid-field. However, it was the faith he had in his defense that caused this decision. With three seconds left, the Cowboys had one last chance, and threw a pass into the endzone. However, it was tipped by Mike Wagner and intercepted by S #27 Glen Edwards. The Steelers were Super Bowl champions again. They had beaten the Cowboys, 21-17. The MVP of course, was #88 Lynn Swann. At the end of the game, Chuck Noll began to preparing his team in the locker room of the Miami Orange Bowl for the next year.

Personnel

Staff

1975 Pittsburgh Steelers staff
	Front office Chairman of the Board – Arthur J. Rooney President – Daniel M. Rooney Vice President – John R. McGinley Vice President – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr. Public Relations Director – Ed Kiely Traveling Secretary – James A. Boston Publicity Director – Joe Gordon Controller – Robert P. Quinn Accountant – Dennis P. Thimons Ticket Manager – Joseph H. Carr Director of Player Personnel – Dick Haley Assistant Director of Player Personnel – Bill Nunn Director of Professional Scouting – V. Timothy Rooney Head coaches Head Coach – Chuck Noll Offensive coaches Offensive Backfield – Dick Hoak Offensive Line – Dan Radakovich Receivers – Lionel Taylor			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Bud Carson Defensive Line – George Perles Linebackers – Woody Widenhofer Strength and conditioning Strength – Louis Riecke Flexibility – Paul Uram Team Physician, Orthopedic – Dr. John Best Team Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber Team Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek Trainer – Ralph Berlin Assistant Trainer – Robert Milie Equipment Manager – Anthony Parisi Field Manager – Jack Hart Film Director – Bob McCartney Photographer – Harry Homa [1]

Roster

1975 Pittsburgh Steelers final roster
	Quarterbacks 12 Terry Bradshaw 17 Joe Gilliam  5 Terry Hanratty Running backs 20 Rocky Bleier 44 Mike Collier KR 33 John Fuqua 32 Franco Harris 46 Reggie Harrison Wide receivers 86 Reggie Garrett 43 Frank Lewis 82 John Stallworth 88 Lynn Swann Tight ends 87 Larry Brown 84 Randy Grossman		Offensive linemen 50 Jim Clack G 57 Sam Davis G 71 Gordon Gravelle T 55 Jon Kolb T 56 Ray Mansfield C 72 Gerry Mullins G/T 74 Dave Reavis T/G 52 Mike Webster C/G Defensive linemen 76 John Banaszak DE 64 Steve Furness DT 75 Joe Greene DT 68 L.C. Greenwood DE 63 Ernie Holmes DT 78 Dwight White DE		Linebackers 38 Ed Bradley MLB 59 Jack Ham OLB 54 Marv Kellum OLB 58 Jack Lambert MLB 34 Andy Russell OLB 51 Loren Toews OLB Defensive backs 45 Jimmy Allen DB 47 Mel Blount CB 36 Dave Brown DB 27 Glen Edwards FS/PR 31 Donnie Shell S 26 J. T. Thomas CB 23 Mike Wagner SS Special teams 52 Mike Webster LS 10 Roy Gerela K 39 Bobby Walden P/H		Reserve lists    Bob Gaddis WR (IR) Practice squad [2] [3] [4] Rookies in italics 43 Active, 1 Inactive, Practice squad

Offseason

NFL Draft

1975 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	26	Dave Brown	CB	Michigan	played 1 season for Steelers
2	51	Bob Barber	DE	Grambling	playing for Packers; 1976-79
3	78	Walter White	TE	Maryland	Traded to Chiefs
4	104	Harold Evans	LB	Houston
5	130	Brent Sexton	DB	Elon
6	156	Marvin Crenshaw	T	Nebraska
7	180	Wayne Mattingly	T	Colorado
8	208	Al Humphrey	DE	Tulsa
9	234	Bruce Reimer	RB	North Dakota State
10	260	Archie Grey	WR	Wyoming
11	286	Randy Little	TE	West Liberty
12	312	Greg Murphy	DE	Penn State
13	337	Bob Gaddis	WR	Mississippi Valley State	played mostly in CFL
14	364	Mike Collier	RB	Morgan St	played 1 season for Steelers
15	390	Marty Smith	DT	Louisville
16	415	Miller Bassler	TE	Houston
17	442	Stan Hegener	G	Nebraska

Preseason

During the preseason, the Steelers acquired undrafted free-agent, John Banaszak. The Defensive tackle from East. Michigan played in three games and later became the 1975 Team ROY (Rookie of the Year).

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date		Opponent	Result	Game Site
1	Sun. September 21	@	San Diego Chargers	W 37–0	San Diego Stadium
2	Sun. September 28		Buffalo Bills	L 21-30	Three Rivers Stadium
3	Sun. October 5	@	Cleveland Browns	W 42–6	Cleveland Municipal Stadium
4	Sun. October 12		Denver Broncos	W 20–9	Three Rivers Stadium
5	Sun. October 19		Chicago Bears	W 34–3	Three Rivers Stadium
6	Sun. October 26	@	Green Bay Packers	W 16–13	Lambeau Field
7	Sun. November 2	@	Cincinnati Bengals	W 30–24	Riverfront Stadium
8	Sun. November 9		Houston Oilers	W 24–17	Three Rivers Stadium
9	Sun. November 16		Kansas City Chiefs	W 28–3	Three Rivers Stadium
10	Mon. November 24	@	Houston Oilers	W 32–9	Houston Astrodome
11	Sun. November 30	@	New York Jets	W 20–7	Shea Stadium
12	Sun. December 7		Cleveland Browns	W 31–17	Three Rivers Stadium
13	Sun. December 14		Cincinnati Bengals	W 35–14	Three Rivers Stadium
14	Sat. December 20	@	Los Angeles Rams	L 3-10	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Game summaries

Week 1

1 2 3 4 Total • Steelers 10 10 3 14 37 Chargers 0 0 0 0 0 Date: September 21 Location: San Diego Stadium • San Diego, California Game attendance: 35,853 Referee: Gordon McCarter

Scoring summary 1 PIT Roy Gerela 29-yard field goal Steelers 3–0 1 PIT Frank Lewis 40-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 10–0 2 PIT Gerry Mullins recovered fumble in end zone (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 17–0 2 PIT Roy Gerela 25-yard field goal Steelers 20–0 3 PIT Roy Gerela 38-yard field goal Steelers 23–0 4 PIT John Stallworth 38-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 30–0 4 PIT Mike Collier 7-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 37–0

In the Week 1 game, the Steelers opened the season as defending champions, and crushed the Chargers, 37-0, in San Diego. (1-0)

Week 2

1 2 3 4 Total • Bills 0 10 13 7 30 Steelers 0 0 7 14 21 Date: September 28 Location: Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 49,438 Referee: Pat Haggerty

Scoring summary 2 BUF John Leypoldt 37-yard field goal Bills 3–0 2 BUF Mike Kadish 26-yard fumble return (John Leypoldt kick) Bills 10–0 3 BUF Reuben Gant 7-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (John Leypoldt kick) Bills 17–0 3 BUF O.J. Simpson 88-yard run (kick failed) Bills 23–0 3 PIT Franco Harris 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Bills 23–7 4 BUF Bob Chandler 28-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (John Leypoldt kick) Bills 30–7 4 PIT Randy Grossman 20-yard pass from Joe Gilliam (Roy Gerela kick) Bills 30–14 4 PIT Franco Harris 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Bills 30–21

In Week 2, the Steelers, coming off a crushing defeat of the Chargers in Week 1, came to play revenge eager Buffalo in Pittsburgh. The Bills had been beaten the previous year by the Steelers in the playoffs, 32-14. Chuck Noll had warned the team the previous week that the team did not play very well, however, the players ignored him and were beaten by a 227-yard-rushing day by RB O.J. Simpson, 30-21. (1-1)

Week 3

1 2 3 4 Total • Steelers 7 21 0 14 42 Browns 0 0 0 6 6 Date: October 5 Location: Cleveland Municipal Stadium • Cleveland, Ohio Game attendance: 73,217 Referee: Ben Dreith

Scoring summary 1 PIT John Stallworth 3-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 7–0 2 PIT Franco Harris 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 14–0 2 PIT Mike Collier 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 21–0 2 PIT Lynn Swann 43-yard pass from Joe Gilliam (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 28–0 4 CLE McKinnis 7-yard run (kick failed) Steelers 28–6 4 PIT Reggie Garrett 45-yard pass from Joe Gilliam (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 35–6 4 PIT Reggie Harrison 3-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 42–6

In this Week 3 matchup, the Steelers would be hosted by the Cleveland Browns. These two teams had already been established as one of the league's best rivalries by this time, and Joe Greene's infamous kicking of the Browns lineman Bob McKay only fueled the rivalry. The fight that broke out afterwards caught it on fire. Greene was later fined $500 while the Steelers beat the Browns, 42-6. (2-1)

Week 4

1 2 3 4 Total Broncos 3 6 0 0 9 • Steelers 7 10 0 6 23 Date: October 12 Location: Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 49,164 Game weather: 59°F (Mostly Cloudy) Referee: Dick Jorgensen

Scoring summary 1 DEN Jim Turner 22-yard field goal Broncos 3–0 1 PIT Lynn Swann 43-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 7–3 2 PIT Lynn Swann 9-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 14–3 2 PIT Roy Gerela 39-yard field goal Steelers 17–3 2 DEN Jim Turner 39-yard field goal Steelers 17–6 2 DEN Jim Turner 36-yard field goal Steelers 17–9 4 PIT Roy Gerela 28-yard field goal Steelers 20–9 4 PIT Roy Gerela 30-yard field goal Steelers 23–9

In Week 4, the Steelers beat the Denver Broncos in Three Rivers, 23-9. (3-1)

Week 5

1 2 3 4 Total Bears 0 3 0 0 3 • Steelers 0 10 10 14 34 Date: October 19 Location: Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 47,579 Game weather: 50°F (Cloudy) Referee: Norm Schachter

Scoring summary 2 CHI Bob Thomas 32-yard field goal Bears 3–0 2 PIT Roy Gerela 37-yard field goal Tie 3–3 2 PIT Reggie Harrison 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 10–3 3 PIT Roy Gerela 18-yard field goal Steelers 13–3 3 PIT Franco Harris 3-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 20–3 4 PIT Rocky Bleier 3-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 27–3 4 PIT Terry Bradshaw 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 34–3

In Week 5, the Steelers crushed Chicago, 34-3. Three weeks after the Steelers were beaten by Buffalo, the team was 4-1, and had allowed only 18 points during the last three weeks while scoring 99. (4-1)

Week 6

1 2 3 4 Total • Steelers 3 10 0 3 16 Packers 0 6 7 0 13 Date: October 26 Location: Milwaukee County Stadium • Milwaukee, Wisconsin Game start: 1:00 p.m. Game attendance: 52,258 Game weather: 44°F • Wind 12 Referee: Fred Silva

Scoring summary 1 PIT Roy Gerela 19-yard field goal Steelers 3–0 2 GB John Brockington 2-yard run (kick blocked) Packers 6–3 2 PIT Mike Collier 94-yard kickoff return (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 10–6 2 PIT Roy Gerela 19-yard field goal Steelers 13–6 3 GB John Brockington 5-yard run (Joe Danelo kick) Tie 13–13 4 PIT Roy Gerela 29-yard field goal Steelers 16–13

In Week 5, the Packers would host the Steelers in Milwaukee, however, the tense battle ended in Pittsburgh's favor, 16-13. (5-1)

Week 7

1 2 3 4 Total • Steelers 0 10 13 7 30 Bengals 3 0 0 21 24 Date: November 2 Location: Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio Game attendance: 58,418 Game weather: Tommy Bell

Scoring summary 1 CIN Dave Green 23-yard field goal Bengals 3–0 2 PIT Roy Gerela 42-yard field goal Tie 3–3 2 PIT Lynn Swann 37-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 10–3 3 PIT Rocky Bleier 3-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 17–3 3 PIT Lynn Swann 25-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (kick failed) Steelers 23–3 4 CIN Charlie Joiner 34-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Dave Green kick) Steelers 23–10 4 CIN Essex Johnson 3-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Dave Green kick) Steelers 23–17 4 PIT Terry Bradshaw 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 30–17 4 CIN Chip Myers 22-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Dave Green kick) Steelers 30–24

In Week 7, the Steelers played the Bengals in Riverfront Stadium and beat up the Bengals, 30-24. (6-1)

Week 8

1 2 3 4 Total Oilers 0 7 3 7 17 • Steelers 10 7 0 7 24 Date: November 9 Location: Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 49,460 Game weather: 75°F (Sunny) Referee: Jim Tunney

Scoring summary 1 PIT Roy Gerela 22-yard field goal Steelers 3–0 1 PIT Lynn Swann 8-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 10–0 2 HOU Ronnie Coleman 3-yard run (Skip Butler kick) Steelers 10–7 2 PIT Larry Brown 6-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 17–7 3 HOU Skip Butler 48-yard field goal Steelers 17–10 4 HOU Fred Willis 1-yard run (Skip Butler kick) Tie 17–17 4 PIT John Stallworth 21-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 24–17

In this heated Week 8 battle, the Steelers would play host to the Houston Oilers. Pittsburgh sealed the win with a 4th quarter TD pass from #12 Terry Bradshaw to #82 John Stallworth that placed them at the top of the division. (7-1)

Week 9

1 2 3 4 Total Chiefs 0 3 0 0 3 • Steelers 0 7 14 7 28 Date: November 16 Location: Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game attendance: 48,803 Game weather: 55°F (Partly Cloudy) Referee: Bernie Ulman

Scoring summary 2 KC Jan Stenerud 32-yard field goal Chiefs 3–0 2 PIT Lynn Swann 42-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 7–3 3 PIT Reggie Harrison 10-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 14–3 3 PIT John Stallworth 16-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 21–3 4 PIT Mike Collier 21-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 28–3

In Week 9, the Steelers beat the Chiefs, 28-3. (8-1)

Week 10

1 2 3 4 Total • Steelers 2 13 3 14 32 Oilers 0 3 0 6 9 Date: Houston Astrodome • Houston, Texas Location: November 24 Game attendance: 49,947 Referee: Bob Frederic TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Alex Karras

Scoring summary 1 PIT Safety, Dan Pastorini tackled by Dwight White in end zone Steelers 2–0 2 HOU Skip Butler 27-yard field goal Oilers 3–2 2 PIT Franco Harris 4-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 9–3 2 PIT Lynn Swann 18-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (kick failed) Steelers 15–3 3 PIT Roy Gerela 30-yard field goal Steelers 18–3 4 PIT John Fuqua 13-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 25–3 4 HOU Ken Burrough 59-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (kick failed) Steelers 25–9 4 PIT Franco Harris 13-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 32–9

In Week 10, the Steelers defeated the Oilers again, this time in Houston 32-9, and secured a playoff spot. (9-1)

Week 11

1 2 3 4 Total • Steelers 0 10 10 0 20 Jets 0 0 0 7 7 Date: November 30 Location: Shea Stadium • Flushing, New York Game attendance: 52,618 Referee: Cal Lepore

Scoring summary 2 PIT Roy Gerela 26-yard field goal Steelers 3–0 2 PIT Franco Harris 44-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 10–0 3 PIT Frank Lewis 8-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 17–0 3 PIT Roy Gerela 19-yard field goal Steelers 20–0 4 NYJ Jerome Barkum 6-yard pass from Joe Namath (Pat Leahy kick) Steelers 20–7

In Week 11, the Steelers beat the Jets 20-7. (10-1)

Week 12

1 2 3 4 Total Browns 3 14 0 0 17 • Steelers 7 3 14 7 31 Date: December 7 Location: Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game start: 1:00 p.m. Game attendance: 47,962 Game weather: 38°F (Sunny) • Wind 11 Referee: Pat Haggerty

Scoring summary 1 CLE Don Cockroft 26-yard field goal Browns 3–0 1 PIT Franco Harris 3-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 7–3 2 CLE Greg Pruitt 1-yard run (Don Cockroft kick) Browns 10–7 2 CLE Willie Miller 17-yard fumble return (Don Cockroft kick) Browns 17–7 2 PIT Roy Gerela 32-yard field goal Browns 17–10 3 PIT Lynn Swann 3-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Tie 17–17 3 PIT Lynn Swann 18-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 24–17 4 PIT Franco Harris 8-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 31–17

In another defeat of Cleveland in Week 13, 31-17, the Steelers continued their winning streak to 10. (11-1)

Week 13

1 2 3 4 Total Bengals 0 7 0 7 14 • Steelers 14 7 7 7 35 Date: December 13 Location: Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game start: 12:30 p.m. Game attendance: 48,889 Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), (Sunny) wind 8 mph Referee: Ben Dreith

Scoring summary 1 PIT Lynn Swann 3-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 7–0 1 PIT J.T. Thomas 21-yard fumble return (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 14–0 2 CIN Stan Fritts 1-yard run (Dave Green kick) Steelers 14–7 2 PIT Franco Harris 10-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 21–7 3 PIT Terry Bradshaw 7-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 28–7 4 PIT Franco Harris 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 35–7 4 CIN Isaac Curtis 1-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Dave Green kick) Steelers 35–14

In Week 13, the Steelers finished the sweep of the division by beating the Bengals again, 35-14. (12-1)

Week 14

1 2 3 4 Total Steelers 3 0 0 0 3 • Rams 0 3 0 7 10 Date: December 20 Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, California Game attendance: 69,389 Referee: Tommy Bell

Scoring summary 1 PIT Roy Gerela 20-yard field goal Steelers 3–0 2 LA Tom Dempsey 26-yard field goal Tie 3–3 4 LA Ron Jaworski 5-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick) Rams 10–3

In the meaningless Week 14 game, the Steelers were beaten by Los Angeles, 10-3. (12-2)

Standings

AFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Pittsburgh Steelers^(1)	12	2	0	.857	6–0	10–1	373	162	L1
Cincinnati Bengals^(4)	11	3	0	.786	3–3	8–3	340	246	W1
Houston Oilers	10	4	0	.714	2–4	7–4	293	226	W3
Cleveland Browns	3	11	0	.214	1–5	2–8	218	372	L1

Postseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	TV	Game Site
Divisional	Saturday December 27	Baltimore Colts	W 28–10	NBC	Three Rivers Stadium
Championship	Sunday January 4	Oakland Raiders	W 16–10	NBC	Three Rivers Stadium
Super Bowl X	Sunday January 18	Dallas Cowboys	W 21–17	CBS	Miami Orange Bowl

Game summaries

Divisional

1 2 3 4 Total Colts 0 7 3 0 10 • Steelers 7 0 7 14 28 Date: December 27 Location: Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST Game attendance: 49,557 Game weather: 32°F (Light Snow) Referee: Pat Haggerty TV announcers (NBC): Jim Simpson, John Brodie, and Don Meredith

Scoring summary 1 PIT Franco Harris 8-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 7–0 2 BAL Glenn Doughty 5-yard pass from Marty Domres (Toni Linhart kick) Tie 7–7 3 BAL Toni Linhart 21-yard field goal Colts 10–7 3 PIT Rocky Bleier 7-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 14–10 4 PIT Terry Bradshaw 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 21–10 4 PIT Andy Russell 93-yard fumble return (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 28–10

• Franco Harris gained 152 yds rushing one yard less than the Baltimore Colts offense. Andy Russell set a record for elapsed time on a fumble return.

AFC Championship

1 2 3 4 Total Raiders 0 0 0 10 10 • Steelers 0 3 0 13 16 Date: January 4 Location: Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST Game attendance: 50,609 Game weather: 16°F (Blowing Snow) Referee: Ben Dreith TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, and Don Meredith

Scoring summary 2 PIT Roy Gerela 36-yard field goal Steelers 3–0 4 PIT Franco Harris 25-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Steelers 10–0 4 OAK Mike Siani 14-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick) Steelers 10–7 4 PIT John Stallworth 20-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (kick failed) Steelers 16–7 4 OAK George Blanda 41-yard field goal Steelers 16–10

Pittsburgh won the game, despite giving up eight turnovers.^[5]

Super Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total Cowboys 7 3 0 7 17 • Steelers 7 0 0 14 21 Date: January 18 Location: Orange Bowl • Miami, Florida Game start: 2:00 p.m. EST Game attendance: 80,187 Referee: Norm Schachter TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier

Scoring summary 1 10:24 DAL Drew Pearson 29-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Toni Fritsch kick) Cowboys 7–0 1 5:57 PIT Randy Grossman 7-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Tie 7–7 2 14:45 DAL Toni Fritsch 36-yard field goal Cowboys 10–7 4 11:28 PIT Safety, Reggie Harrison blocked punt through end zone Cowboys 10–9 4 8:41 PIT Roy Gerela 36-yard field goal Steelers 12–10 4 6:37 PIT Roy Gerela 18-yard field goal Steelers 15–10 4 3:06 PIT Lynn Swann 64-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (kick failed) Steelers 21–10 4 1:48 DAL Percy Howard 34-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Toni Fritsch kick) Steelers 21–17

• Lynn Swann earned the MVP award catching 4 receptions for 161 yards.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers won their 2nd of their 6 Super Bowl championships.

Awards, honors, and records

• Mel Blount, National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award
• Lynn Swann, Super Bowl Most Valuable Player

References

1. 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
2. 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
3. 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
4. "1975 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
5. "Number three". Three Rivers top Greatest Play and Game. PittsburghSteelers.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2008.