The Greatest Teams: 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers

Rounding out the AFC North's "Greatest Teams" are the Steelers, perhaps one of the most iconic teams in football lore. The Steelers have won 6 Super Bowl titles, more than any other team, and have perpetually remained a force in the NFL. This made the decision tough, but the 1978 Steelers team decisively showed the peak of the 70s Pittsburgh dynasty.

This team was, in all positions, loaded. Terry Bradshaw manned the helm at quarterback, throwing for 2,915 yards on the season and 28 touchdowns. In the backfield was the commanding duo of Rocky Bleier and Franco Harris. Harris had a 1,000 yard season and was entering his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl season. The Hall of Fame wide receiver duo of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth combined for 20 touchdowns, with tight end Randy Grossman contributing for nearly 500 yards and another score. The offensive line was commanded by 4th year Hall of Fame center Mike Webster (who coincidentally joined the team the same year as Swann, Stallworth, and Grossman).

On defense, the Steel Curtain was stacked with powerhouse players. The left side of the line was brutal-featuring All Pros L.C. Greenwood and "Mean" Joe Greene. At linebacker, the two "Jacks" (Jack Ham and Jack Lambert) patrolled the field like two angry men, providing a mean hit on whoever was foolish enough to go their way. The illustrious secondary of Mel Blount, Ron Johnson, Donnie Shell, and Mike Wagner provided 13 interceptions, which, along with the linebackers' 8 picks, was seventh in the league. The Steel Curtain proved to be especially dominant against the run, allowing teams to run only 1,774 yards on them, second best in the league.

The 1978 team managed to get 14 wins on the season, second most all time among Steelers teams (the 2004 team won 15 games). Perhaps the most enduring moment of the '78 Steelers was their chance at regaining their title as reigning NFL champions in Super Bowl XIII. In a rematch of Super Bowl X, the Steelers faced off against the rival Dallas Cowboys in perhaps one of the greatest games in Super Bowl history. Under the guidance of legendary coach Chuck Noll, the Steelers offense scored five touchdowns, with four coming from Super Bowl and regular season MVP Terry Bradshaw. Perhaps the most defining moment of the game was Dallas tight end Jackie Smith's dropped pass in the endzone, that undoubtedly sealed a Cowboys loss. With a defeat over a Cowboys team that was first in the league in scoring and second in total yards accumulated, the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers clinched their spot on our list as the greatest Steeler team ever.