On the afternoon of January 18, 1976, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ infamous “Steel Curtain” defense – combined with some offensive fireworks from wide receiver Lynn Swann – would lift the franchise to a second consecutive Super Bowl title. Their opponents, the legendary Dallas Cowboys of Tom Landry and Roger Staubach, would severely test them. The Cowboys struck first, on a 29-yard Staubach touchdown pass to Drew Pearson in the first quarter. Dallas still led 10-7 after three quarters, but in the pivotal frame, Swann and the Steeler defense stepped up. Pittsburgh, which sacked Staubach seven times on the day and intercepted three of his passes, picked him off at a key juncture in the fourth, deep in Dallas territory, leading to a Steelers FG and a 15-10 lead. A 64-yard touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw to Swann put Pittsburgh ahead 21-10. Down 21-17 in the final seconds, Dallas had a final chance, but a Staubach heave was intercepted in the end zone and the Steelers were once again champs. Swann, who had 161 yards receiving, including two superbly athletic and graceful catches which would earn their own nicknames, became the first wide receiver ever to be named Super Bowl MVP. ― NFL 100
Box Score: Football Reference
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