After 2 playoff appearances, the Steelers appeared to be in great shape after finishing the preseason as the only undefeated team in the NFL. After two straight games, the Steelers scored over 50 points and were 1-0-1; but they couldn't beat the Raiders at home. The Steelers starting quarterback at the time, Joe Gilliam's play continually deteriorated. By Week 7, the Steelers were 4-1-1 and Gilliam was benched for Terry Bradshaw during a win against the Falcons. Bradshawwon the next two games, but after a loss in Cincinnati, Noll benched Bradshaw again. This time he was benched in favor of Terry Hanratty. Hanratty however, played horribly in Cleveland. The offense was in a struggle, but the Steelers had won those tough games behind the still-maturing Steel Curtain defense. When Bradshaw was brought back into the lineup, the Steelers beat the Browns and the Saints. After a loss to Houston, the Steelers would play the most important game of the season in New England. With a win against the Patriots, the Steelers would clinch the AFC Central and make their third straight playoff appearance. The Steelers dominated the Pats, then beat the Bengals, and awaited the playoffs.
Playoffs
In the Divisional Round Playoff Game, the Steelers would play the Bills. Sports Illustrated's Dan Jenkins felt that Pittsburgh was "the only team to reach the playoffs without a quarterback". However, the Steelers would dominate Buffalo and hold O.J. Simpson to 49 yards rushing. In the 1974 AFC Championship Game, the Steelers would play an old foe, the Raiders. Each year, the rivalry was escalating: in 1972, the Steelers won in Pittsburgh; in 1973, the Raiders returned the favor in Oakland. However, the Steelers were ready for anything the Raiders could throw at them. Using the new "Stunt 4-3 defense" the Steelers held the Raiders to 29 yards rushing as the Steelers themselves ran for over 200 yards in Oakland. After a Franco Harris touchdown run, the Steelers clinched their first Super Bowl appearance in club history.
In Super Bowl IX, the Steelers and the Vikings had a hard time in the rough conditions at old Tulane Stadium. After many exchanges of punts, the Steelers finally scored a safety on a bobbled handoff by Fran Tarkenton. The score at the half was 2–0. The Steel Curtain continually dominated the Vikings. While coach Bud Grant tried to run at the strength of the Steel Curtain, they were shut down. The only points Minnesota managed to squeeze off was a blocked punt. After the MVP performance by Franco Harris, the Steelers came away with a 16-6 victory over the Vikings. It was the first league title in Steelers history.
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Preseason
In the 1974 Preseason, the Steelers became 6-0 and were the only undefeated team in the NFL. However, most of the talk was centered around the NFL's first successful black quarterback, Joe Gilliam. Chuck Noll did start Gilliam in the preseason and after it ended, Chuck Noll would start him for the 1974 season. Gilliam's stellar performance in the '74 preseason did however spark the quarterback controversy in Pittsburgh.
1974 schedules
Preseason schedule
Regular season schedule
Postseason schedule
Week
Date
Game Site
Opponent
Result
Record
TV
Divisional
Sun. December 22
Three Rivers Stadium
Buffalo Bills
W 32–14
11-3-1
NBC
Conference
Sun. December 29
Oakland Coliseum
Oakland Raiders
W 24–13
12-3-1
NBC
Super Bowl IX
Sun. January 12
Old Tulane Stadium
Minnesota Vikings
W 16–6
13-3-1
NBC
Game summaries
Standings
Stats
Passing
Player
Pos
G
GS
QBrec
Cmp
Att
Cmp%
Yds
TD
TD%
Int
Int%
Y/A
AY/A
Y/C
Y/G
Lng
Rate
Sk
Yds
NY/A
ANY/A
Sk%
4QC
GWD
Gilliam
QB
9
6
4–1–1
96
212
45.3
1274
4
1.9
8
3.8
61
6.0
4.7
13.3
141.6
55.4
7
79
5.46
4.18
3.2
1
1
Bradshaw
QB
8
7
5–2–0
67
148
45.3
785
7
4.7
8
5.4
56
5.3
3.8
11.7
98.1
55.2
10
104
4.31
2.92
6.3
Hanratty
QB
3
1
1–0–0
3
26
11.5
95
1
3.8
5
19.2
35
3.7
-4.2
31.7
31.7
15.5
1
13
3.04
-4.56
3.7
1
0
Rushing Receiving Kicking Punting Kick Return Punt Return Defense & Fumbles Scoring Summary Team Quarter-by-quarter
