AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings

[Bob Davis]

The undefeated Vikings host the Steelers at Metropolitan Stadium. The field is like a frozen tundra. (I played this game on my somewhat rusty 660 board to simulate the less than ideal conditions). The Steeler's opening 9 play drive featured a 41 yard completion from QB Terry Bradshaw to RB Franco Harris. The drive is stopped as the Viking defense sacks Bradshaw for a 2 yard loss. K Matt Bahr shanks a 43 yard field goal just inside the right upright giving the Steelers the early lead. Vikings WR Sammy White fumbles the ensuing kickoff. Steelers special teamer and WR Calvin Sweeney recovers the fumble and walks into the endzone for the score. Bahr shanks the PAT just wide of the upright and the Steelers maintain a 9-0 lead. The Viking's next drive features short passes as the Vikings slowly march down the field. The only seconds left, QB Fran Tarkenton is caught running backwards for a 22 yard loss. The 1st half comes to a close with Tarkenton missing on a pass to a wide-open Sammy White. The Steelers lead 9-0 at halftime. The second half starts off with yet another Viking blunder as WR Ahmad Rashad slip slides the kickoff return only to the 7 yard line. Continuing the mistake filled trend, Tarkenton goes back to pass and in order to avoid the rush inadvertently steps on the backline of the endzone resulting in a safety. Sweeney returns the ensuing free kick 34 yards to the 49 yard line giving the Steelers great field position. A tough Viking defense stuffs Franco Harris twice for 1 yard gains and forces an incomplete pass. Coach Chuck Noll decides to go for it on forth and 8. The play results in a Bradshaw to WR Jim Smith completion covering 48 yards to the Viking 1 yard line. Harris plunges over the goal line one play later and the Steelers take a 17-0 lead. Harris then completes the 2 point conversion in almost identical fashion to up the lead to 19-0. The Met goes silent as it becomes apparent that the Steelers, not their beloved Vikings will be going to Superbowl 16. To the Viking's credit, Tarkenton completes to TE Bob Tucker covering 47 yards for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter. The Steelers recover the onsides kick and after a 13 yard gain by Harris, assume the Victory formation. 

Super Bowl 16 at the Orange Bowl - Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos 

 

Edited June 25, 2023 by Bob Davis

[Terry43]

Pittsburgh Steelers

16

13-3-1

 

Coach: Chuck Noll

 

Minnesota Vikings

6

12-5

 

Coach: Bud Grant

Sunday Jan 12, 1975

Start Time: 3:00pm

 

Arrrgh. I was wearing purple on January 12, 1975. 😪

 

I do like that the Vikings are in the AFC in your league. 

 

5 hours ago, Bob Davis said:

Coach Chuck Noll decides to go for it on forth and 8.

This should read, Coach Bob Davis decides to go for it on 4th and 8. Good call coach!

Enjoy the Journey T43 ⚡🏈♾️

[Bob Davis]

2 hours ago, Terry43 said:

This should read, Coach Bob Davis decides to go for it on 4th and 8. Good call coach!

Fortune favors the bold. 

[Bob Davis]

"I do like that the Vikings are in the AFC in your league."

The Vikings were shifted to the AFC this season, number 16, and will be in the AFC for one more season. They were in the NFC from their inception in Season 8 through Season 14. Once the Chargers, Seahawks, Bears and Lions join the league for Season 18, they will shift back into the NFC.