Pro Football Championship 14 - Steelers - Rams

Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl 14, a game that showcased the culmination of one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history. This matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams took place on January 20, 1980, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. As we delve into the details of this historic game, we'll explore the lead-up, the key players, the dramatic moments, and the lasting impact of what would become the Steelers' fourth Super Bowl victory in six years. The 1979 NFL season was a year of contrasts for the two teams that would eventually meet in Super Bowl 14. The Pittsburgh Steelers, led by head coach Chuck Noll, were the defending Super Bowl champions and had established themselves as the team of the decade. They finished the regular season with a 12 and 4 record, dominating the AFC Central division. The Steelers were seeking their fourth Super Bowl title, which would cement their status as one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history. On the other side, the Los Angeles Rams had a tumultuous season. Despite finishing with a 9 and 7 record, barely winning the NFC West, they managed to make it to the Super Bowl. The Rams were led by head coach Ray Malavasi, who had taken over the team in 1978 after the controversial firing of George Allen. The Rams had been perennial contenders throughout the 1970s but had never reached the Super Bowl until this year. The Steelers' offense was a well-oiled machine, featuring a balanced attack that could beat opponents through the air or on the ground. At the helm was quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who was having one of the best seasons of his career. Bradshaw had thraown for 3,724 yards and 26 touchdowns during the regular season, establishing himself as one of the league's premier passers. Bradshaw’s primary targets were wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, both of whom were having stellar seasons. Swann had caught 41 passes for 808 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Stallworth had 70 receptions for 1,183 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Steelers' running game was anchored by Franco Harris, who had rushed for 1,186 yards and 11 touchdowns, marking his eighth consecutive season as the team's leading rusher. On defense, the Steelers boasted their famous "Steel Curtain" defense, although it was beginning to show signs of age. Led by defensive tackle Mean" Joe Greene, linebackers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert, and defensive back Mel Blount, this unit was still one of the most formidable in the league. However, they had allowed more points during the regular season than in previous years, a sign that the dynasty might be nearing its end. The Los Angeles Rams, meanwhile, had faced significant challenges during the season. Their starting quarterback, Pat Haden, had been injured mid-season and was replaced by Vince Ferragamo, a second-year player who had thrown only five passes in his NFL career before taking over as the starter. Despite his inexperience, Ferragamo led the Rams to victory in six of their last seven games and through the playoffs. The Rams' offense relied heavily on their running game, led by Wendell Tyler and Cullen Bryant. Tyler had rushed for 1,109 yards during the regular season, while Bryant added 846 yards. On defense, the Rams were led by defensive end Jack Youngblood, who was playing despite a fractured fibula suffered in the divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. As game day approached, the Steelers were heavily favored. Many expected them to dominate the Rams, who were seen as underdogs who had somehow managed to make it to the big game. However, the Rams were determined to prove that they belonged on the same field as the mighty Steelers. The game began with both teams feeling each other out. The Steelers received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt after a quick three-and-out. The Rams' first possession showed promise, with Ferragamo completing a couple of passes to move the chains. However, the drive stalled, and Los Angeles was forced to punt as well. The first score of the game came midway through the first quarter when Steelers kicker Matt Bahr connected on a 41-yard field goal, giving Pittsburgh a 3 to zero lead. This score was set up by a 32-yard pass from Bradshaw to Stallworth, showcasing the Steelers' big-play ability. The Rams responded quickly, putting together a drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Cullen Bryant. This gave Los Angeles a 7 to 3 lead and sent shockwaves through the Rose Bowl. The underdogs were not only competing but leading against the mighty Steelers. As the second quarter began, the Steelers started to assert their dominance. Bradshaw led a methodical drive down the field, mixing short passes with runs from Harris and Rocky Bleier. The drive culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Franco Harris, giving the Steelers a 10 to 7 lead. The Rams, however, weren't about to back down. They responded with another impressive drive, moving the ball effectively against the vaunted

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl fourteen, a game
that showcased the culmination of one of the greatest dynasties
in NFL history. This matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and
the Los Angeles Rams took place on January twentieth, nineteen
eighty at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. As we
delve into the details of this historic game, we'll explore

(00:20):
the lead up, the key players, the dramatic moments, and
the lasting impact of what would become the Steelers' fourth
Super Bowl victory in six years. The nineteen seventy nine
NFL season was a year of contrasts for the two
teams that would eventually meet in Super Bowl fourteen. The
Pittsburgh Steelers, led by head coach Chuck Noll, were the

(00:41):
defending Super Bowl champions and had established themselves as the
team of the decade. They finished the regular season with
a twelve to four record, dominating the AFC Central Division.
The Steelers were seeking their fourth Super Bowl title, which
would cement their status as one of the greatest dynasties
in NFL history. On the other side, the Los Angeles

(01:03):
Rams had a tumultuous season despite finishing with a nine
to seven record, barely winning the NFC West, they managed
to make it to the Super Bowl. The Rams were
led by head coach Ray Malavasi, who had taken over
the team in nineteen seventy eight after the controversial firing
of George Allen. The Rams had been perennial contenders throughout

(01:25):
the nineteen seventies, but had never reached the Super Bowl
until this year. The Steelers' offense was a well oiled machine,
featuring a balanced attack that could beat opponents through the
air or on the ground. At the helm was quarterback
Terry Bradshaw, who was having one of the best seasons
of his career, establishing himself as one of the league's
premier passers. Bradshaw's primary targets were wide receivers Lynn Swan

(01:49):
and John Stalworth, both of whom were having stellar seasons.
The Steelers running game was anchored by Frank o'harris, who
had rushed for one thy, one hundred and eighty six
yards and eleven touchdowns his eighth consecutive season as the
team's leading rusher. On defense, the Steelers boasted their famous
Steel Curtain defense, Although it was beginning to show signs

(02:09):
of age. Led by defensive tackle mean Joe Green, linebackers
Jack Ham and Jack Lambert, and defensive back Mel Blount,
this unit was still one of the most formidable in
the league. However, they had allowed more points during the
regular season than in previous years, a sign that the
dynasty might be nearing its end. The Los Angeles Rams, meanwhile,

(02:30):
had faced significant challenges during the season. Their starting quarterback
Pat Hayden had been injured mid season and was replaced
by Vince Ferragamo, a second year player who had thrown
only five passes in his NFL career before taking over
as the starter. Despite his inexperience, Ferragamo led the Rams
to victory in six of their last seven games and

(02:52):
threw the playoffs. The Rams offense relied heavily on their
running game, led by Wendell Tyler and Cullen Bryant. On defense,
the Rams were led by defensive end Jack Youngblood, who
was playing despite a fractured fibulous suffered in the divisional
playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. As game day approached,
the Steelers were heavily favored. Many expected them to dominate

(03:15):
the Rams, who were seen as underdogs who had somehow
managed to make it to the big game. However, the
Rams were determined to prove that they belonged on the
same field as the Mighty Steelers. The game began with
both teams feeling each other out. The Steelers received the
opening kickoff, but were forced to punt after a quick
three and out. The Rams' first possession showed promise, with

(03:37):
Ferragamo completing a couple of passes to move the chains. However,
the drive stalled and Los Angeles was forced to punt
as well. The first score of the game came midway
through the first quarter, when Steelers kicker Matt Barr connected
on a forty one yard field goal, giving Pittsburgh a
three to zero lead. This score was set up by
a thirty two yard pass from Bradshaw to Stall, showcasing

(04:01):
the Steeler's big playability. The Rams responded quickly, putting together
a drive that culminated in a one yard touchdown run
by Cullen Bryant. This gave Los Angeles a seven to
three lead and sent shockwaves through the Rose Bowl. The
underdogs were not only competing, but leading against the Mighty Steelers.
As the second quarter began, the Steelers started to assert

(04:22):
their dominance. Bradshaw led a methodical drive down the field,
mixing short passes with runs from Harris and Rocky Blier.
The drive culminated in a one yard touchdown run by
Franco Harris, giving the Steelers a ten to seven lead.
The Rams, however, weren't about to back down. They responded
with another impressive drive, moving the ball effectively against the

(04:43):
vaunted Steel Curtain defense, tying the game at ten to ten.
Just before halftime, the Rams struck again. Ferragamo connected with
wide receiver Ron Smith on a fifty yard touchdown pass,
giving Los Angeles a shocking thirteen to ten lead. At
the half. The Rose Bowl was buzz with excitement as
the underdogs from Los Angeles had outplayed the mighty Steelers

(05:05):
for the first thirty minutes. As the teams headed to
the locker rooms, the Steelers were facing adversity they hadn't expected.
Chuck Noll and his staff had to regroup and find
a way to counter the Rams' surprising effectiveness on both
sides of the ball. The third quarter saw the momentum
swing back and forth. The Steelers struck first, with Bradshaw

(05:25):
hitting Swan for a forty seven yard touchdown pass that
put Pittsburgh back in front seventeen to thirteen. However, the
Rams refused to go away. They responded with another touchdown
drive on a half back option pass to Ron Smith.
The trick play caught the Steelers off guard and gave
the Rams a nineteen to seventeen lead. The extra point

(05:45):
was missed. As the fourth quarter began, the Steelers, unaccustomed
to trailing in Super Bowls, were facing the possibility of
a massive upset. However, Terry Bradshaw and the Steelers offense
had one more burst of greatness left them with just
under twelve minutes remaining in the game. Bradshaw dropped back
to pass. He spotted John Stalworth streaking down the middle

(06:07):
of the field and launched a perfect pass. Stalworth caught
the ball in stride for a seventy three yard touchdown.
This play, which would become one of the most famous
in Super Bowl history, gave the Steelers a twenty four
to nineteen lead and seemed to break the Rams' spirit.
The Rams tried to mount one last comeback, but Vince Ferragamo,
who had played so well for most of the game,

(06:27):
finally made a critical mistake. His pass was intercepted by
Jack Lambert, giving the Steelers excellent field position. Pittsburgh capitalized
on this turnover with another touchdown, a one yard run
by Franco Harris that extended their lead to thirty one
to nineteen. As the final seconds ticked away, the Pittsburgh
Steelers had secured their fourth Super Bowl victory in six years,

(06:48):
cementing their status as one of the greatest dynasties in
NFL history. The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers thirty one,
Los Angeles Rams nineteen. Terry Bradshaw was named the game's
Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year. He completed
fourteen of twenty one passes for three hundred nine yards
and two touchdowns with three interceptions. His ability to make

(07:12):
big plays when it mattered most was crucial to the
Steelers victory. For the Rams, Vince Ferragamo completed fifteen of
twenty five passes for two hundred and twelve yards with
one interception. Wendell Tyler led all rushers with sixty yards
on seventeen carries, while Cullen Bryant added thirty yards and
a touchdown. The Rams defense, led by Jack Youngblood, playing

(07:34):
on a fractured leg, had given a heroic effort but
ultimately couldn't contain the Steelers offensive fire power. Super Bowl
fourteen is remembered for several reasons beyond the final score.
It marked the end of the Steelers dynasty of the
nineteen seventies, as many of their key players would retire
or decline in the following years. The game showcased the

(07:56):
resilience of both teams, the Steelers in overcot coming a
tough challenge from an underdog, and the Rams in pushing
the champions to the brink despite being heavy underdogs. The
game also highlighted the importance of big plays and championship moments.
Bradshaw's long touchdown passes to Swan and Stalworth turned the
tide of the game and ultimately proved to be the

(08:17):
difference for the Steelers. This victory solidified their place in
NFL history. Players like Terry Bradshaw, Frank o'harris, Lynn Swan,
John Stalworth, Mean, Joe Green, and Jack Lambert had cemented
their legacies as some of the greatest to ever play
the game. Chuck Nole's status as one of the best
coaches in NFL history was unquestionable for the Rams. While

(08:38):
the loss was disappointing, their performance had earned them respect
from around the league. They had proven that they could
compete with the best players like Vince Ferragamo and Jack
Youngblood had shown tremendous courage and skill on the biggest stage.
As we look back on Super Bowl fourteen from our
vantage point today, its significance in the history of professional
football is clear. It was the final chapter in one

(09:01):
of the greatest dynasties in NFL history, a showcase for
some of the most talented players ever to take the field.
The Ram's ability to push the mighty Steelers to the brink,
coupled with Pittsburgh's resilience in the face of adversity, created
a contest that would be remembered for generations. In conclusion,
Super Bowl fourteen stands as a pivotal moment in NFL history.

(09:22):
It was a game that showcased the talents of future
Hall of famers like Terry Bradshaw, Frank o'harris, Lynn Swan,
and John Stalworth. It demonstrated the importance of mental toughness
and the ability to make big plays and crucial moments,
and it provided a fitting end to the NFL's dominant
team of the nineteen seventies, while also pointing towards the
parody that would come to define the league in future decades.

(09:45):
From Bradshaw's clutch throws to Stalworth's game changing reception from
the rams valiant effort to Jack Youngblood's courageous performance on
a broken leg, super Bowl fourteen provided moments that would
be remembered and discussed for decades to come. Thank you
for joining us on this journey back to Super Bowl fourteen,

(10:06):
a game that proved that sometimes the most memorable contests
are the ones where two teams push each other to
the very limits of their abilities, creating a spectacle that
transcends the sport and becomes a part of our collective
cultural memory.