1975 AFC Championship Steelers 16 vs Raiders 10

[mcmillenandwife]

> 1975 AFC Championship Steelers 16 vs Raiders 10 - w/Gowdy & Meredith
> 1975 AFC Championship Steelers 16 vs Raiders 10 - TV synced w/Nelson & Wester

To say there is bad blood in the fourth consecutive playoff meeting between the Steelers and Raiders would be an understatement. This is pure hatred at the height of a rivalry more bitter than the minus-10 windchill at kickoff.

For their part, the Raiders are full of cheap shots (one of which lands Lynn Swann in an ambulance with a severe concussion) and conspiracy theories about icy field conditions. But ultimately, it's the Steel Curtain, not the icy turf, that breaks the heart of Al Davis.

Aside from the 12 turnovers committed in this game (7 by Pittsburgh, 5 by Oakland), one of the most amazing stats is that the Raiders move the ball into Steeler territory 9 times through 3 quarters -- 5 times inside the 30 -- and have ZERO points to show for it.

Jack Lambert recovers a post-season record 3 fumbles and Mike Wagner intercepts 2 Stabler passes in a slugfest which leaves the Steelers clinging to a 3-0 lead after three quarters. But Pittsburgh's offense finds paydirt twice in the final period, first on a beautiful improvisational run by Frano Harris for a 25-yd score (keyed by an outstanding crackback block by John Stallworth) to extend their lead to 10-0, and finally icing the game (pun intended) on a 20-yd Bradshaw to Stallworth TD strike to put Pittsburgh up 16-7 late in the contest.

In the final moments of the game, Oakland keeps fighting, narrowing the score to 16-10 with a field goal and recovering the ensuing onside kick with just 7 seconds remaining. But time runs out on a 37-yd pass to Cliff Branch at the Steeler 15, and the Steelers advance to their second consecutive Super Bowl.

Note: There are two different versions of this game. The first is the complete NBC broadcast (including many commercials and some pregame) with Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis and Don Meredith calling the game. The second is the same NBC TV broadcast synced with the Mutual Broadcasting Radio call of the legendary Lindsey Nelson and Al Wester.

[Guest]

I remember watching this game as a kid but I did not remember how close Oakland came to a miracle comeback.   Thank goodness Stabler did not have the arm to get that pass to the endzone.  Madden was an absolute genius to kick the FG and then go for an onside kick.  Thank you so much for posting this game.

[mcmillenandwife]

I remember watching this game as a kid but I did not remember how close Oakland came to a miracle comeback.   Thank goodness Stabler did not have the arm to get that pass to the endzone.  Madden was an absolute genius to kick the FG and then go for an onside kick.  Thank you so much for posting this game.

Glad you enjoyed it! Definitely an incredible game. It's a wonder no one died in any of the Pittsburgh/Oakland playoff games in the '70s. Brutal.

[gumby55]

This great physical game is the reason i never take away credit from the raiders for their great win in the 76 championship game or make excuses about franco and rocky being injured... the raiders had to play this game without 2 hall of famers of their own.. biletnikof and willie brown were both out of action ... and neal colzie while filling in for willie gave up both steeler touchdowns... the first on a weak tackle attempt on franco and the second he slipped in the end zone and gave up the pass to stallworth... very possible those 2 plays get stuffed if willie brown was in there.. ok, with that said i still hate the raiders and wish franco and rocky were in the 76 championship ;P... and what about that incedible hit by JT thomas on clarence davis .. OMG ..ouch ;P maybe the best hit i ever saw by a CB on a RB LOL it definately turned the tide of the game

[mcmillenandwife]

> 1975 AFC Championship Steelers 16 vs Raiders 10
NBC TV Broadcast synced w/Nelson & Wester (Mutual Radio)

We painstakingly synced this recording of the NBC TV broadcast with the iconic Mutual Broadcast radio call of the late, great Lindsey Nelson and Al Wester, making this brutal matchup between these two bitter rivals even better!

We've also sprinkled some of our own relevant stats, facts and commentary throughout the game.

We have several other TV/radio syncs on our site featuring Lindsey Nelson, one of the great voices in broadcast history. There's something special about the knowledge radio guys bring to the broadcast... it's just a deeper, more satisfying listening experience (that's what she said). 

Enjoy this reimagined version pro football's most brutal rivalry at its peak.

Enjoy!

P.S. -- We tried to upload this to YouTube, but strangely, it was immediately blocked worldwide.