The Steelers started a successful defense of their Super Bowl XIII title with a 34-14 win over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Divisional Playoff on Dec. 30, 1979. It was only the second time the teams had met in the postseason.
Pittsburgh jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Sidney Thornton, John Stallworth and Lynn Swann recorded the early touchdowns. Rocky Bleier and Franco Harris finished off the Dolphins with scoring romps in the second half.
The win propelled the Steelers into the AFC Championship Game, where they downed Houston. It culminated with their fourth trophy after a 31-19 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV.
Pittsburgh sportscaster Myron Cope shows off his Terrible Towel, a Cope brainchild that has become a marketing success. The towel, which is supposed to give almost supernatural powers to the Steelers, was in the hands of thousands of Steelers faithful when they faced the Miami Dolphins. (AP Photo)Steelers’ running back Sidney Thornton eludes Miami Dolphins Rusty Chambers (51) and Norris Thomas to score the first touchdown of the game. Thornton scored on the third play from the 1-yard line on a goal-line stand. (Al Herrmann, Jr./Pittsburgh Press)Franco Harris runs for 13 yards in the first quarter. (Al Herrmann, Jr./Pittsburgh Press)Steelers’ wide receiver John Stallworth leaps to catch a pass from Bradshaw for the Steelers second touchdown. Dolphins Neal Colzie (20) was unable to prevent the reception. (Gene Puskar/Associated Press)Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw shakes loose from Miami Dolphins defenders late in first quarter. Bradshaw then threw a touchdown pass to Lynn Swann. Bradshaw completed 21 passes in 31 attempts for 230 yards. (Rusty Kennedy/Associated Press)Ron Johnson leaps up and bats the football away from Miami Dolphins Duriel Harris (82) to break up a pass from Bob Griese in the second quarter. (Greenawalt/Associated Press)Dolphins’ punter George Roberts is hit high by Steelers’ Zack Valentine (54), and low by Tom Graves on fourth down in the second quarter. Roberts was rushed hard on the play and decided to run, but did not make the first down, giving the Steelers possession. (Harry Cabluck/Associated Press)Dolphins running back Larry Csonka finds it hard to run as he hits a wall of Steeler defenders in the second quarter. (Al Herrmann, Jr./Pittsburgh Press)Bradshaw holds his head after missing a long pass to the end zone in the second quarter. (Al Herrmann, Jr./Pittsburgh Press)Johnson grabs Harris by the face mask as Harris falls into the end zone to score a touchdown on a pass from Griese. (R.C. Greenawalt/Associated Press)Griese, left, and umpire Tom Hensley hit the turf on a play in which Griese was sacked. Greiese was OK, but the umpire was injured. Larry Brown, left, pulled Griese down. (Lyons/Associated Press)Harris, center, scoops in a Don Strock pass to pick up 33 yards and a first down in the final quarter. Harris caught the ball in spite of efforts by Steelers defenders Dwayne Woodruff (49) and Mel Blount (47). (R.C. Greenawalt/Associated Press)Steelers head coach Chuck Noll gives instructions to Bradshaw late in the game. (R.C. Greenawalt/Associated Press)Rocky Bleier, bottom right, sets a block for Harris on a run to the outside. (Photo file)Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula and Griese wear glum expressions as they watch from the sidelines. (Gene Puskar/Associated Press)Bradshaw lets out a hearty laugh as he jokes with teammates following his team’s 34-17 victory over the Dolphins. Bradshaw set a new career NFL record for touchdown tosses in postseason play. (Kennedy/Associated Press)Shula, right, tells Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert, “Wish we could have given you a better game,” in the visiting coach’s office following the defeat. (Gene Puskar/Associated Press)
By 
