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1976 Steelers 7 at Bengals 3
A HUGE "must win" game for the Steelers, this time in blizzard conditions against the division-leading Bengals. A Cincinnati victory would win the division for the Bengals and eliminate the Steelers from the playoffs. But Pittsburgh rallies yet again behind rookie QB Mike Kruczek (subbing for an injured Bradshaw) as Franco and Rocky combine for 184 yds on 42 carries and Lynn Swann hauls in 5 passes for 95 yds.
Cinci leads courtesy of an early Chris Bahr FG and multiple Pittsburgh mistakes until late in the 3rd quarter when, following a Pittsburgh punt, Dwight White rips the ball away from Boobie Clark and emerges from the pile with the ball at the Bengal 25. From there, Kruczek hits Swann for 14, Bleier gets outside for 7 and then Franco Harris plows his way into the end zone from the 4 to give Pittsburgh the lead.
The Steelers have a chance to seal the game midway through the 4th quarter, but on 4th & goal from the 1, Kruczek loses his footing and is stuffed on a QB sneak. The Bengals have one last shot late, driving deep into Steelers territory during the final minute of the game, but Anderson throws 4 straight incompletions to end the threat. Footage ends with Cinci facing a 3rd & 10 from the Steeler 23.
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1976 Steelers at Bengals (Nov 28, 1976)
