Super Bowl 16

[Bob Davis]

Today was Super Bowl Sunday!

The Pittsburgh Steelers played the defending Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos. The Steelers won Super Bowls 13 and 14, so this was truly a battle of champions. This was also the first time these two teams played each other. The game took place in the Orange Bowl showcasing the expansion team Dolphin's stadium. (Super Bowl 17 will take place in Tampa Stadium, home of this season's other expansion team, the Buccaneers).  

The Broncos win the coin toss and decide to kickoff. Steelers WR Calvin Sweeney returns the kickoff to the Steelers 24 yard line. After a run for a one yard loss by RB Franco Harris, QB Terry Bradshaw is sacked for a 14 yard loss. Bradshaw completes to Sweeney on 3rd down for 15 yards bringing up 4th down. The Steelers seemingly decide to punt. P Craig Colquitt takes the snap and seeing WR Jim Smith wide open throws a pass. The ball falls incomplete and the Broncos start their first drive in excellent field position at the Steelers 24 yard line. RB Rob Lytle takes the handoff, runs between the tackle and center motoring 24 yards into the endzone. Lytle rumbles into the endzone again for the 2 point conversion giving the Broncos an 8-0 lead. Sweeney only manages to get to the 12 yard line on the ensuing kickoff. After a completion of 5 yards and an incomplete pass, Bradshaw manages to find Sweeney along the left sideline for a completion covering 49 yards. The drive comes to an abrupt end as Bradshaw is sacked twice for a total loss of 29 yards. This time on 4th down Colquitt punts the ball away. The Bronco's next drive features QB Craig Morton completions of 8 yards and 10 yards and two scrambles for a total of 22 yards. With only seconds remaining in the first half, K Jim Turner boots a 28 yard field goal giving the Broncos an 11-0 lead at the half. 

The second half starts with Bronco WR Steve Watson returning the kickoff to the Bronco 31 yard line. Under heavy pressure, Morton airs out a pass intended for Lytle. Steeler S Donnie Shell has perfect coverage, stride for stride with Lytle. Morton's pass is perfect. Lytle pulls it in and manages to out run Shell to the endzone for the TD. The Broncos extend their lead to 17-0. Turner misses the PAT. The Steelers are now down 3 scores. After two incompletions, Bradshaw completes to WR John Stallworth who streaks down the left sideline for a 37 yard gain. After a 9 yard run, Harris takes the next handoff and rumbles 16 yards for the Steelers first score. K Matt Bahr boots the extra point and the Steelers trail 17-7. The game gets a bit more interesting when Watson fumbles the kickoff and the ball goes out of bounds at the Bronco 1 yard line. Facing heavy pressure in his own endzone and surrounded by Steeler rushers, Morton completes to Watson for 9 yards giving the Bronco offense some breathing room. Morton then completes his next 4 passes as time runs out in the 3rd quarter. RB Otis Armstrong runs for 12 yards to start the final period, and then breaks a big run covering 36 yards for a touchdown. Turner knuckleballs the PAT just inside the right upright giving the Broncos a seemingly insurmountable 24-7 lead. Bradshaw completes to TE Benny Cunningham for 18 yards but that would be the last positive event for the Steelers. The Broncos sack Bradshaw 2 of the next 3 plays, the last coming on 4th and 35. The Broncos assume the Victory formation as time runs out. Final: Broncos 24 Steelers 7.

The Broncos are once again (or still) Super Bowl Champions! Couldn't decide if RB Rob Lytle (5 carries for 43 yards, one touchdown and also caught a pass for a touchdown) or QB Craig Morton (8 of 8 for 141 yards and 1 TD and masterfully avoiding the Steeler D line) should be the MVP, so they will share the honor as Co-MVPs. The Denver front 7 tallied 6 sacks so they could have also been chosen as the collective MVP. 

 

[Daryl Collins]

Great reporting, Coach Bob! There is a collective 70’s and 80’s mindset satisfaction from this result. Always wanted to see the Orange Crush prevail.

[Terry43]

I have NFL Game Pass and the NFL is featuring 20 minutes of John Elway's highlights. Some of those highlights were against the Steel Curtain. 👍 Kind of reminded me of your Super Bowl 16, Coach Bob. I felt like I was reading a Sports Illustrated recap! 📖

Enjoy the Journey. T43 ⚡🏈♾️

[Daryl Collins]

BTW, you don’t by any chance have a whole set of those Fleer sticker cards, do you? I loved those things!

[Bob Davis]

Thanks Terry! I try to project the fun that I have with this game to our brotherhood!

Daryl - I wish I did. That sticker card came with the away uniform Broncos that I bought on Ebay. Seller was golfingcowboy. Might be one of our own! 

[nefgm.org]

I have bought several things from golfingcowboy. Long time seller on ebay. 

[Bob Davis]

6 minutes ago, nefgm.org said:

I have bought several things from golfingcowboy. Long time seller on ebay. 

I bought my road team Rams from him as well. Beautiful team!