The Indianapolis Colts began their pro football life as a member of the All America Football Conference. When the AAFC merged with the NFL in 1950, the Colts would only last one season before folding due to financial challenges. Three years later, the NFL awarded a franchise to Baltimore and the Colts were revived.
Under controversial circumstances in 1984, the Colts moved to Indianapolis. The Colts’ owner thought his team was not receiving the support it deserved and was not happy with the neglected state of their stadium.
Since the Colts joined the league, the Pittsburgh Steelers have dominated the contests with 27-6 in wins. On the road, the Steelers’ lead the series 10-4 and have won the last eight contests.
The Steelers went into the 1976 season as back-to-back world champions and the team every other team wanted to beat. They were seeking to make NFL history by winning a third straight Lombardi. After going 5-2 in preseason, hopes were high in Pittsburgh that their team could create their own destiny.
The season opener was against their perennial rivals the Raiders, who they had defeated in the AFC Championship game two years running. Confidence was high but they came up just short losing 31-28.
Returning to Pittsburgh, they overcame Cleveland the following week and appeared to have kick-started their season.
Three defeats followed that win, including a loss in the Cleveland return game. The Steelers season looked to be over already as they prepared for the visit of the Bengals. One jokester paid for a classified advertisement in the Pittsburgh Press that suggested the demise of the Pittsburgh Steelers season.
Week 6 saw the Steelers beat the Bengals 23-6 and then go on a roll producing eight more consecutive victories that made it a hat trick of AFC Central Division titles.
It would be the Steelers fifth straight visit to the playoffs where they would meet the Baltimore Colts. The Colts’ eleven regular season wins meant they were back-to-back AFC East Division champions and as the number two seed they would host the Steelers.
It would be the second time in two years the teams would contest the divisional playoff game. The previous meeting saw the Steelers run out 28-10 winners, but a year later Colts Coach Ted Marchibroda believed his team was much improved.
Marchibroda felt the development of wide receiver Roger Carr and quarterback Bert Jones had improved the team. He also believed that playing at home and on natural turf would give his team an edge. The league’s number one offense would face the number one defense.
In the Steelers’ nine game winning streak they had given up just 28 points while registering five shutouts. Both their running backs, Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, produced 1000-yard seasons.
Coach Noll was as philosophical as always. “Our guys are happy we’re here,” he acknowledged. “We don’t want to blow the opportunity.”
The (10-4) Steelers at the (11-3) Colts; December 19, 1976
With a third-and-eight on the Steelers first possession, Terry Bradshaw stepped back to pass. Looking for an open receiver, he saw the Colts double-cover John Stallworth. Frank Lewis was isolated one on one with the Colts’ safety. As Lewis streaked past the safety, Bradshaw fired the perfect bomb for a 78-yard touchdown catch. Roy Gerela, who was suffering from a gland ailment missed the point after attempt.
At this early stage in the game, the Steelers lost Rocky Bleier with a sprained toe.
The Colts’ first series came to an abrupt halt when Mike Wagner intercepted Bert Jones’ intended pass to Roger Carr. The turnover enabled Gerela to add a 45-yard field goal to increase the Steelers lead.
On the subsequent Colts drive, they drove downfield to score the first touchdown the Steelers had given up in the first quarter all season. Jones found Carr for the 17-yard touchdown.
When Theo Bell returned the ensuing kickoff 60 yards to the Colts’ 32, it set the Steelers up for a quick reply. Franco Harris rushed for 28 of the yards to set up Reggie Harrison’s 1-yard touchdown run. Gerela added the point after to give the Steelers a 16-7 lead.
Even a fumble by Harrison on the Colts’ two that their opponents recovered didn’t disturb the Steelers’ momentum with their defense forcing their opponents to punt. On the Steelers next series, Bradshaw found Lynn Swan with a touchdown pass of 29 yards.
The Steelers defense continued to control the game and a Glen Edwards’ interception saw Gerela add a 25-yard field goal to give the Steelers a 26-7 advantage at the half.
Such had been the Steelers dominance that in a scoreless third quarter, they punted for the only time . Injuries hit the team again when Harris left the game when he suffered bruised ribs after a late tackle. Reggie Harrison and Frenchy Fuqua were now the featured backs while Gerela’s kicking duties were left to Bobby Walden and Mike Mansfield.
Early in the final quarter, Bradshaw found Swann with a 11-yard touchdown pass to extend their lead.
The Colts replied with a 65-yard drive that finished with a 1-yard touchdown from Roosevelt Leaks. Their onside kick attempt was recovered by Bennie Cunningham to present the Steelers with a short field of 50 yards. Harrison added to the Steelers score with a 10-yard touchdown run. Mansfield added the extra point to give the Steelers a deserved victory.
The Pittsburgh Steelers 40 at the Baltimore Colts 14
Bradshaw equaled his career record throwing three touchdown passes.
Despite the injury challenges the Steelers faced, their dominance was confirmed with 526 total yards, the highest under Coach Noll.
The Steelers would face their perennial rivals Raiders in the AFC Championship game in Oakland. The game would attract a huge television audience with Steelers center Mike Webster predicting, “More people will watch it than the Super Bowl.”
Steelers Nation believed their team had an outstanding chance to go to a third straight Super Bowl. Those expectations were dampened when the team was announced without their two stars Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. Both were still suffering from their injuries sustained in the Colts game.
Despite the efforts of the backups, the Steelers were no match for the Raiders and lost 24-7. Robbed of the opportunity to make NFL history, it was a bitter end to their season.
The Raiders would beat the Vikings in Super Bowl XI.
