Super Bowl X (vs Dallas Cowboys)

Lore & Background

For three quarters, the Orange Bowl resembled a trench war. Jack Lambert and Jack Ham, the heartbeat of the Steelers' defense, suffocated Dallas's attack, forcing field goals and holding the potent Cowboys offense in check. The halftime score stood at 10-6, with Pittsburgh extending their lead to 13-9 entering the fourth quarter before the game finally snapped open. It wasn't a defensive stop that broke it, but an offensive masterpiece: Lynn Swann's leaping touchdown catch. That single play didn't just add points; it validated the Steelers' status as the league's premier team and etched Swann's name into football folklore as the first wide receiver to ever win Super Bowl MVP.

Reader's Guide

For three quarters, it was a defensive grudge match—low scoring, physical, and tied at 10-10 entering the fourth. The deadlock shattered when Lynn Swann executed one of sports' most iconic plays: a leaping, one-handed catch over a defender for a touchdown that put Pittsburgh ahead 21-17. While the Cowboys fought fiercely, they couldn't withstand Bradshaw's late-game surge or the relentless pressure of the 'Steel Curtain.' This victory made history as the first back-to-back Super Bowl win in the modern era, setting a gold standard for excellence that defined the franchise for decades.

Did You Know?

• The game featured two Hall of Fame head coaches facing off: Chuck Noll (Steelers) vs. Tom Landry (Cowboys).
• Despite its reputation as a defensive battle, the game saw 38 total points—a surprisingly high score for that era's standards.
• This victory marked the Steelers' second consecutive championship following Super Bowl IX and only their second franchise title overall.