The Super Bowl History and chances of repeats…
by Patrick McGuire
Incidence rates among back-to-back super bowl championships are very low. This can stem from multiple reasons, but is it the same underlying fact of the ego that gets in the way? Winning a world championship, regardless of the sport is a major accomplishment for team and personal goals, but why only one? If you win one, the next goal should be the next one. This article will look at the seasons where the Pittsburgh Steelers became super bowl champions. Unlike most super bowl winning teams, they have been able to repeat twice. Could the 2009-2010 season make it three? Below is a list of the teams that have been able to achieve this feat:
Green Bay Packers 1967-1968
Miami Dolphins 1973-1974
Pittsburgh Steelers 1975-1976, 1979-1980
San Francisco 49ers 1989-1990
Dallas Cowboys 1993-1994
Denver Broncos 1998-1999
New England Patriots 2004-2005
Super Bowl IX – January 12th, 1975
Pittsburgh 16 – Minnesota 6
Season Stats:
Scored 305 points (21.8/g), 6th of 26 in the NFL.
Allowed 189 points (13.5/g), 2nd.
Differential of 116 points (8.3/g), 3rd.
The 1974-1975 season was a special season, as this was the team that “started-it-all.” The Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty was established. During this season they had starters such as Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, L.C. Greenwood, Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Mel Blount, just to name a few. There is a reason why those names still stick out to you 35 years later. They are CHAMPIONS. I left out a name that most have forgotten about due to the legacy of Terry Bradshaw, his name is Joe Gilliam (QB). His stats were equal to Bradshaw’s: 96 for 212, 1,274 yards, 4 td, 8 int, & 14 rushes for 41 yards and 1 td compared to Bradshaw’s 67 for 148, 785 yards, 7 td, 8 int, & 34 rushes for 224 yards and 2 td. Not perfect in anything, but the gut and hard-work and term “blue-collar” best described this group. With this group stating claim to the first championship in franchise history, why change anything right? That is exactly what the Steelers did. As you will read, the next season is as just as productive. Coached by Chuck Noll.
Super Bowl X – January 18, 1976
Pittsburgh 21 – Dallas 17
Season stats:
Scored 373 points (26.6/g), 5th of 26 in the NFL.
Allowed 162 points (11.6/g), 2nd.
Differential of 211 points (15.1/g), 1st.
This season had every expectation placed upon it as possible. The roster remained consistent but only added more Pro Bowlers (11). Between Swann, Bradshaw, and Harris on the offensive side of the ball, that’s all they needed. The “Steel Curtain” was looming again on the defensive side of the ball. Bradshaw’s statistics improved, as this was his 5th year in the league at age 27. Bradshaw’s stats: 165 for 286, 2,055 yards, 18 td, 9 int, & 35 rushes for 210 yards and 3 td. Franco Harris and Lynn Swann made Bradshaw’s job much easier as they threw up sizzling statistics.
Harris: 262 rushes for 1,246 yards, 10 td, & 28 catches for 214 yards and 1 td
Swann: 49 catches for 781 yards, 11 td, & 3 rushes for 13 yards and 0 td
The story had begun and still continues as the stereotype of the Pittsburgh defense, hard-hitting and physical. This year the defense finished the season ranking 2nd in the league for points earned, only allowing 162 points: 4th in yards allowed at 3661, 4th in interceptions with 27 and finished 1st in touchdown passes allowed. Once again, not perfect in everything, but not letting ego get in the way allowed for strong efforts in every game and consistency throughout the season.
Super Bowl XIII – January 21, 1979
Pittsburgh 35 – Dallas 31
Season Stats:
Scored 356 points (22.2/g), 5th of 28 in the NFL.
Allowed 195 points (12.2/g), 1st.
Differential of 161 points (10.1/g), 2nd.
This year the offense got rolling, ranking 5th in points per game and with the defense still in tact, it was enough to earn another Super Bowl victory. In fact, the Steelers only led led the league in one defensive category and the offense led the league in one category as well. Bradshaw continued his reign as the leader of the offense and it showed with stats such as: 207 for 368, 2,915 yards, 28 td, 20 int, & 32 rushes for 93 yards and 1 td. The duo of Franco Harris and Sidney Thorton were dangerous again as well. The Steelers of 1978 didn’t dominate like their teams earlier in the 1970′s, but with many of their Pro Bowlers on the other side of 30 years old, they served notice that they would not relinquish their title without a fight. Coach Noll and the Rooneys built the Steelers into a hard-nosed, physical, run oriented team that took on the personality of the city they represented. Their defense, littered with hall of farmers, was all home grown and molded into champions.
Super Bowl XIV – January 20, 1980
Pittsburgh 31 – L.A. Rams 19
Scored 416 points (26.0/g), 1st of 28 in the NFL.
Allowed 262 points (16.4/g), 5th.
Differential of 154 points (9.6/g), 2nd.
The Steelers repeated once before, but many were skeptical if they could do it again. As my father said, this year was exciting and all you heard coming into January was “Pittsburgh Steelers, Here We Go, Pittsburgh’s going to the Super Bowl, Here We Go!” This must have been a beautiful sound ringing through the ears of many Steelers fans worldwide. Steelers’ Nation was alive and booming as they had yet another awesome year leading in statistics such as, most points per game, most points for the season, most yards and most yards per attempt in the ground attack. What a season for the offense as Bradshaw continued to destroy and manipulate defenses with stats such as: 259 for 472, 3,724 yards, 26 td, 25 int, & 21 rushes for 83 yards and 0 td. 3000 yards? Are you kidding me? When you pass like that and have the nasty duo on Franco Harris and Sidney Thorton combining for more than 1700 yards and 17 touchdowns, the Steelers were by far the favorite to win. John Stallworth and Lynn Swann were impeccable as well with stats looking like the Pro Bowlers they were.
John Stallworth: 70 catches for 1,183 yards, 8 td
Lynn Swann: 41 catches for 808 yards, 5 td
The defense did not lead the league in any defensive category, which may be surprising to most people. A key to success is playing consistent and efficient football and when one side may be down, the other will pick up the slack. That is what happened with this team. This particular season the Steelers finished the season with ten pro bowlers.
Up to this point, all championships won by Coach Noll.
Super Bowl XL – February 5, 2006
Pittsburgh 21 – Seahawks 10
Scored 389 points (24.3/g), 9th of 32 in the NFL.
Allowed 258 points (16.1/g), 3rd.
Differential of 131 points (8.2/g), 5th.
I will agree with most critics of Steelers Nation that without Jerome Bettis, the Steelers would not have won this Super Bowl. The Steelers went through the 80’s and 90’s in a slump with no titles but the start of a new millennium has treated Steelers Nation quite well thus far. The Steelers drafted young QB Ben Roethlisberger, who earned the titled of “Big Ben”. Once again, keeping true to Steelers football, stats are not of real importance. Heart, gut and desire is what the Rooney’s teach and practice within the organization. The emergence of new comers is what sparked this season and with veteran leadership from Jerome Bettis and Hines Ward, the recipe for success was there. Ben Roethlisberger showed decent stats: 168 for 268, 2,385 yards, 17 td, 9 int, & 31 rushes for 69 yards and 3 td. Not bad for a youngster in the league. Besides all that, it was evident that Jerome Bettis was the heart and soul of this team and by winning the Super Bowl and him retiring, the chances of a third repeat were realistically slim. Which showed to be true. The return of veteran maturity and leadership is an underrated quality that most teams overlook. Sometimes it isn’t the most talent or having youngsters with a ton of speed to win a championship.
Coached by Bill Cowher
Super Bowl XLIII – February 1, 2009
Pittsburgh 27 – Arizona 23
Scored 347 points (21.7/g), 20th of 32 in the NFL.
Allowed 223 points (13.9/g), 1st.
Differential of 124 points (7.8/g), 5th
Defense, Defense, Defense = nasty. With the offense not having such a productive season, ranking a pitiful 20th in points for the season, the defense anchored with MVP James Harrison, Larry Foote, Troy Polamalu and James Farrior. Not much could get by the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger, aiming for his 2nd Super Bowl in 5 years, he had the weapons and with another season with decent stats and impeccable elusiveness, he got the job done.
Ben Roethlisberger: 281 for 469, 3,301 yards, 17 td, 15 int, & 34 rushes for 101 yards and 2 td
The defense led the league in an astounding 5 categories. Allowing the least amount of points, yards, which includes both passing and rushing yards. Most can agree, they would put their money on the Steelers in the Super Bowl. Only three Pro Bowlers out of this group, but it was the gut, heart and desire in the locker room that obviously showed why they were able to achieve the ultimate goal of World Champions.
Coach Mike Tomlin kept the tradition alive.
Super Bowl XLIV – February 7, 2010
Pittsburgh – Opponent?
With all the keys to success still available, the chances for a third repeat are possible. Throughout the years, the Steelers have not changed the business operations and mission/vision statements. They hold true to their standing and beliefs, which give us all reason to believe the Steelers have a great opportunity to repeat this upcoming season.
The question of ego is hard to answer. The Steelers ego has been high since the Rooneys started the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they never seem to let it get in the way. For the team with the most NFL Super Bowl wins, anything is possible and they are on a good track to keep the tradition alive and well.
This article could not encompass everyone or everyone’s stats in which made these particular seasons special. The definition of success is the Pittsburgh Steelers. TEAM, TEAM, TEAM is how it should be operated and that’s how they do it. The Steelers don’t have the most talent or the most media driven players, but that’s how they like it and that’s how they continue the winning tradition.
Why change? 
