3rd and Long — 1974 NFL Season Pack

The Steel Curtain Rises

The 1974 NFL season is where the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty began in earnest.

Going 10-3-1, head coach Chuck Noll's team was built around the most feared defence in football — the Steel Curtain. Mean Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Jack Ham, and rookie Jack Lambert formed the core of a unit that allowed just 189 points across 14 games. Nobody scored on Pittsburgh easily.

Offensively, Terry Bradshaw ran a balanced attack with Franco Harris grinding out yards on the ground and rookie wide receiver Lynn Swann adding a dimension the league wasn't ready for.

The postseason was a statement. Pittsburgh dismantled their opponents and reached Super Bowl IX in New Orleans, where they held the Minnesota Vikings to a single safety until the fourth quarter, winning 16-6. Their first championship — and the beginning of a dynasty.

A Loaded League

But Pittsburgh weren't even the team with the best record.

The Oakland Raiders went 12-2 — the best in football — behind Ken Stabler, Cliff Branch, and a physical defence of their own. They were denied a championship run by the Steelers in the AFC title game, but this was Oakland at the peak of their powers.

In the NFC, four teams won 10 games: the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and Los Angeles Rams. The Rams gave up just 181 points all season (under 13 per game) and had the second-best defensive rating in the league.

The Miami Dolphins (11-3) were still a force — a year removed from their perfect season — while the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots both finished .500 but with genuine firepower.

At the other end, the Atlanta Falcons managed just 111 points in 14 games — under 8 per game — and the Baltimore Colts went 2-12. Every era has its cannon fodder.

What's in the Pack

• All 26 team ratings — Offense & Defense on a 1–20 scale, calibrated from real 1974 points data
• All 182 regular season games across 14 weeks, with pre-calculated modifiers for every matchup
• Blank standings sheet
• Scoring table and overtime quick reference
• 10-team playoff bracket through Super Bowl IX

Rules are included. Everything to play is in one download.

All you need: two d100 dice and a pencil.

Get It

3rd and Long — 1974 NFL Season Pack — £5.99 on Payhip

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Part of the 3rd and Long series from TTX Sports. Each pack covers one complete NFL season — roll the dice, replay the games, see if history repeats.