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The Great 70's Steelers Raiders Rivalry web site - vs.

During the 1970's, there was no other Defense feared more than
the Pittsburgh Steelers Steel Curtain Defense. Whether it was a Tough and Nasty middle linebacker in #58 Jack Lambert, putting fear in the hearts of many players coming over the middle or the grace of Mel Blount who covered wide-outs better then most in the league. There was no doubt, the Steel Curtain was the greatest defensive unit assembled in NFL history.



The year was 1976. It was the Greatest Defense Ever.
In stretch of 8 games, the Steelers "Steel Curtain" Defense had 5 shut outs and gave up only 22 points. That's fewer than three points per game. Sixteen of those points came in one game against the Houston Oilers. Besides that Houston game, the Steel Curtain yielded inly three points apiece to Miami and Cincinnati, and shut out the Giants, Chargers, Chiefs, Bucs, and Oilers. At one point, the Steelers has a streak of 22 consecutive quarters - 5 1/2 games - without giving up a touchdown.

Here's that 1976 record:
@ Oakland Raiders    28-31
 Cleveland Browns    31-14
 New England Patriots 27-30
 @ Minnesota Vikings  6-17
@ Cleveland Browns   16-18
 Cincinnati Bengals    23- 6
@ New York Giants    27- 0
 San Diego Chargers   23- 0
@Kansas City Chiefs  45- 0
Miami Dolphins      14- 3
 Houston Oilers     32-16
@Cincinnati Bengals    7- 3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers    42- 0
 @ Houston Oilers     21- 0

Despite its excellence, that 1976 team was not a Super Bowl winner.
The Steelers lost the AFC Championship game to Oakland 24-7

Facts about the Steel Curtain

1978 Points allowed: 195 (#1 of 28 in the league)
1976 Points allowed: 138 (#1 of 28 in the league)
Jack Lambert AFC Defensive Player of the year
1975 Points allowed: 162 (#2 of 26 in the league)
Mel Blount AFC Defensive Player of the year
1974 Points allowed: 189 (#2 of 26 in the league)
Joe Green AFC Defensive Player of the year
1972 Points allowed: 175 (#2 of 26 in the league)
Joe Green AFC Defensive Player of the year
source football-reference.com | nflarchives.com

Pro Bowl Appearances through the 1970's
Bold means 1st string

NFL Films
Video: The Steel Curtain
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