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1976 Steelers vs Patriots - Radio + Video Highlights
Radio synced with some video. This truly bizarre game features Myron Cope and Jack Fleming's legendary radio call synced with short portions of NFL Films video highlights. The Steelers jump in front with a grinding opening drive capped by a Franco Harris TD, but steady rain at Three Rivers soon turns the ball into a bar of soap. Pittsburgh loses all 6 (!!!) of its 1st half fumbles, yet despite repeatedly handing New England short fields, the Steel Curtain limits the Pats to 3 FGs and still carries a 13-9 lead into halftime.
On the Steelers 1st drive of the 2nd half, a beautiful 47-yd Bradshaw rainbow to a leaping Lynn Swann sparks what feels like a knockout blow, setting up another short Franco TD and a 20-9 edge. But suddenly, Steve Grogan (who finishes an unimpressive 13 of 32 with 2 INTs) starts hitting haymakers.
On 4th-and-2, Grogan surprises everyone with a play-action 38-yd TD to a wide open Russ Francis. The Steelers' next drive stalls, and the Patriots drive 93-yds to take the lead on a stunning 58-yd bomb to Darryl Stingley. The Steelers stall again, and Grogan immediately hits Francis for 49-yds, then scores himself on a 6-yd rollout for a 30-20 lead.
Pittsburgh’s last surge is insane. With just 3:44 to go, the Patriots cough up the ball and Bradshaw quickly capitalizes, cutting it to 3 with a TD dart to Randy Grossman. The Steelers then force a 3-and-out to get one final shot with 1:42 remaining. After a penalty and a sack/fumble back the Steelers up to their own 1, Bradshaw leads a furious final drive. A scrambling 37-yd across-the-body bomb to Swann gets them out of the hole, and Terry immediately hits Frank Lewis for another 24 yds with 50 seconds left.
A terrible intentional grounding call leaves Bradshaw visibly furious at the officials and puts the Steelers in an impossible 4th-and-26 situation. But Bradshaw hits Frank Lewis over the middle in a crowd for 32 yds to convert, putting the Steelers in FG range at the Patriot 21. But and illegal man downfield penalty shoves them back, and Roy Gerela's 49-yd FG attempt sails wide right as time expires.
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Radio + Video Highlights
1976 Steelers vs Patriots (Sep 26, 1976)
