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| (photo credit: beeradvocate.com) |
The Steelers were making their first Super Bowl appearance
in team history; a history that would go on to include eight total trips to the
Super Bowl, totaling six wins and two losses. The 1974 season was the third
straight playoff appearance by the Steelers, their first three such
accomplishments of the Super Bowl era and under legendary coach Chuck Noll.
The Vikings were coming off a visit to the Super Bowl the
previous year, a 24-7 loss to the Miami Dolphins. In the Vikings long history,
they also reached Super Bowl IV (23-7 loss to Kansas City) and Super Bowl XI
(32-14 loss to Oakland). Several teams (nine, to be exact) have reached the
Super Bowl in their franchise history, but failed to ever win it. Minnesota
shares with the Buffalo Bills the dubious distinction of making four separate
trips to the Super Bowl and never winning, more than any other teams.
This version of crowning the NFL’s champion began in
less-than-exhilarating fashion. The first points registered by either team came
on a safety late in the second quarter to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead. A botched
pitch from Viking quarterback Fran Tarkenton to fullback Dave Osborn tumbled
into the end zone, where Tarkenton jumped on it and Pittsburgh defensive end
Dwight White officially downed him for the first safety in Super Bowl history.
Those two points would hold up as the only points scored in the first half.
The third quarter wasn’t much better. The only scoring was
provided by Hall-of-Fame running back Franco Harris, who on one possession had
three carries for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Minnesota’s only points of the game came early in the fourth
quarter. Facing a fourth down near their own end zone, Pittsburgh was forced to
punt. Minnesota linebacker Matt Blair got through the line and blocked the
kick, sending the ball into the end zone. Terry Brown jumped on it, scoring the
touchdown for Minnesota and finally putting them on the board. After the extra
point was missed, Pittsburgh held a slim 9-6 lead.
The closer score not only didn’t rattle the Steelers, it may
as well have empowered them more. On their ensuing drive, Pittsburgh used 11
plays and 6:47 of game clock to drive 66 yards down the field, culminating in
quarterback Terry Bradshaw connecting with receiver Larry Brown for a four-yard
touchdown, providing the game’s final margin of 16-6.
Fran Tarkenton is a Hall-of-Fame quarterback, but his performance
in this game was disappointing to say the least. He completed just 11 of 26
passes for a measly 102 yards, tacking on three interceptions along the way.
Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” defense was just beginning its infamy, and
imparted its will for the entirety of this game. In addition to the three
interceptions, they also forced and recovered two fumbles.
Franco Harris paced the Steelers’ offense, rushing 34 times
for 158 yards and the touchdown, earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
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