• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 31 3–0
• Pittsburgh – Swann 54 pass from Gilliam (kick failed)9–0
• Pittsburgh – Lewis 4 pass from Gilliam (Gerela kick)16–0
• Pittsburgh – Harris 4 run (Gerela kick)23–0
• Pittsburgh – Fuqua 4 run (Gerela kick)30–0

• Top Passer: Joe Gilliam (PIT): 257 Yds
• Top Rusher: Franco Harris (PIT): 49 Yds
• Top Receiver: Lynn Swann (PIT): 94 Yds

In Week 1, the Steelers started #17 Joe Gilliam as he completed 17 of his 31 passes for 257 yards, 2 TD's, and an interception. Gilliam became the first African-American Quarterback in league history to play in a game as the designated opening day starter. The defense held Baltimore to 166 total yards and forced 4 turnovers in the shutout win. (1-0)

• Denver – Armstrong 45 pass from Johnson (Turner kick)0–7
• Pittsburgh – Davis 61 pass from Gilliam (Gerela kick)7–7
• Denver – Moses 7 pass from Johnson (Turner kick)7–14
• Denver – Keyworth 1 run (Turner kick)7–21
• Pittsburgh – Gilliam 1 run (Gerela kick)14–21
• Pittsburgh – Davis 1 run (Gerela kick)21–21
• Denver – Odoms 3 pass from Ramsey (Turner kick)21–28
• Pittsburgh – Davis 1 run (Gerela kick)28–28
• Pittsburgh – Fuqua 1 run (Gerela kick)35–28
• Denver – Armstrong 23 pass from Ramsey (Turner kick)35–35

• Top Passer: Joe Gilliam (PIT) 348Yds
• Top Rusher: Otis Armstrong (DEN) 131Yds
• Top Receiver: Otis Armstrong (DEN) 86Yds

In Week 2, the Steelers were carried to a 35-35 OT tie with #32 Franco Harris running game and #17 Joe Gilliam's 348 passing yards. It was the first regular season overtime game in NFL history. Denver coach John Ralston said of Gilliam that "it was possibly the finest performance I have ever seen by a quarterback." (1-0-1)

• Oakland – Stabler 1 run (Blanda kick)0–7
• Oakland – Branch 19 pass from Stabler (Blanda kick)0–14
• Oakland – FG Blanda 35 0–17

In Week 3, after 2 brilliant games by #17 Joe Gilliam, the Raiders came to Pittsburgh for a rematch of the 1973 Divisional Round Playoff game in which Oakland won. However, a fluttering Gilliam completed 10 of his 31 passes and it laid the first defeat on Pittsburgh. To make things worse, #32 Franco Harris was injured and would miss the next 2 games. Damp and dark weather hung over the stadium and Terry Bradshaw's relief of Gilliam with a little under 2 minutes left in the game drew cheers from remaining fans. (1-1-1)

• Houston – B. Johnson 47 run (Butler kick)0–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 37 3–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 27 6–7
• Pittsburgh – Pearson 9 run (Gerela kick)13–7

In Week 4, the Steelers recovered from the loss at home by beating Houston. #17 Joe Gilliam didn't recover completely, he threw for only 202 yards and 2 interceptions. However, on the game's lone touchdown drive, Gilliam completed 4 consecutive passes. Without #32 Franco Harris, the offense would continuously fall apart. (2-1-1)

• Kansas City – FG Stenerud 31 0–3
• Pittsburgh – Bleier 2 run (Gerela kick) 7–3
• Kansas City – Pearson 13 pass from Livingston (Stenerud kick)7–10
• Pittsburgh – Pearson 3 run (Gerela kick)14–10
• Pittsburgh – Edwards 49 interception return (Gerela kick)21–10
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 32 24–10
• Kansas City – Taylor 10 pass from Livingston (Stenerud kick)24–17
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 45 27–17
• Pittsburgh – Lewis 31 pass from Gilliam (Gerela kick) 34–17
• Kansas City – Wright 13 pass from Livingston (Stenerud kick)34–24

In Week 5, the Steelers came away from Kansas City with a 10-point deficit win 34-24 behind #27 Glen Edward's 49 yard interception return. The Chiefs used a combined three quarterbacks to throw 7 interceptions. However still, #17 Joe Gilliam's play was still deteriorating. After the horrible performance in next week's game he was benched. (3-1-1)

• Pittsburgh – Pearson 6 run (Gerela kick)7–0
• Pittsburgh – Harris 1 run (Gerela kick)14–0
• Cleveland – Phipps 18 run (Cockroft kick)14–7
• Cleveland – Morin 9 pass from Phipps (kick blocked)14–13
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 31 17–13
• Cleveland – FG Cockroft 21 17–16
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 26 20–16

In Week 6, the Steelers offense continued to flutter with #17 Joe Gilliam's 5 out of 18 and 78 yards performance (despite the return of #32 Franco Harris). In the 3 games after the loss to Oakland, the defense forced 15 turnovers and that is how the Steelers managed to win all 3 games. The front four of #78 Dwight White, #63 Ernie Holmes, #75 Joe Greene, and #68 L. C. Greenwood had become dominant. Together, they became known as the Steel Curtain. After 6 games, the Steelers were 4-1-1, however, the offense was going to need some help if they were to become a contender. In Week 7, the Steelers found that help. (4-1-1)

• Pittsburgh – Bleier 10 run (Gerela kick)7–0
• Pittsburgh – Bradshaw 1 run (Gerela kick)14–0
• Atlanta – Dodd 9 pass from Lee (Mike-Mayer kick)14–7
• Atlanta – Burrow 24 pass from Lee (Mike-Mayer kick)14–14
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 33 17–14
• Pittsburgh – Harris 7 run (Gerela kick)24–14
• Atlanta – FG Mike-Mayer 32 24–17

In Week 7, #12 Terry Bradshaw replaced the failing #17 Joe Gilliam. By 1974, the 5-year veteran was known as the unpredictable and inconsistent quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was often overlooked by fans and coaches for making mistakes. It was at this time Bradshaw was going through some emotional problems. He had lost his starting job and fans and players continuously doubted and sometimes mocked him. A failing relationship with his head coach continued to decline. He was often in seclusion at his home as well. Yet, his team did miss him after watching the first 6 games from the sidelines. However, on a Monday night against Atlanta, Bradshaw returned. The backfield that would start 4 of the next 6 super bowls was finally in place. Runningbacks #32 Franco Harris and #20 Rocky Bleier combined for over 200 yards rushing as the Steelers rolled to 24-17 win. (5-1-1)

• Pittsburgh – Lewis 8 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)7–0
• Pittsburgh – Harris 5 run (Gerela kick)14–0
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 35 17–0
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 28 20–0
• Pittsburgh – Blount 52 interception return (Gerela kick)27–0

In Week 8, the Steelers won behind another shutout by the defense that included a 52-yard interception return by #47 Mel Blount. It was one of two career interceptions returned for touchdowns by the Hall of Famer. #12 Terry Bradshaw was still a colt who had not yet been broken. And Chuck Noll's patience with him continued to disappear. (5-1-1)

• Cincinnati – Williams 2 run (Muhlmann kick)0–7
• Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann 30 0–10
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 24 3–10
• Cincinnati – Williams 1 run (Muhlmann kick)3–17
• Pittsburgh – Pearson 1 run (Gerela kick)10–17

In Week 9: the Steelers lost to division rival Cincinnati, 17-10. The offense was hurting again. #12 Terry Bradshaw was benched again, in favor of 5-year veteran #5 Terry Hanratty. (5-2-1)

• Cleveland – FG Cockroft 44 0–3
• Pittsburgh – Shanklin 28 pass from Hanratty (Gerela kick)7–3
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 32 10–3
• Cleveland – FG Cockroft 35 10–6
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 32 13–6
• Cleveland – Green 36 interception return (Cockroft kick)13–13
• Cleveland – FG Cockroft 18 13–16
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 23 16–16
• Pittsburgh – Thomas 14 fumble recovery return (Gerela kick) 23–16
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 22 26–16

In this Week 10 matchup, the Steelers defeated the hosting Browns team for the first time in Cleveland since 1964. However, #5 Terry Hanratty completed only 2 of his passes and threw 3 interceptions. He was relieved by Gilliam, The quarterback controversy had become a real problem for Pittsburgh. However, the rest of the team was playing at a championship level after this madcap game. the turning point came on a miscue in the Browns backfield. Cleveland quarterback Brian Sipe collided with Billy Lefear on the handoff and the ball squirted loose. #74 Joe Greene barged in, grabbed the ball and looked to his left where J.T. Thomas was coming up fast. Greene flipped him the ball and Thomas ran it in from 14 yards out. Earlier in the game, Greene intercepted Sipe and rumbled down to the 14, setting up a Roy Gerela field goal. #32 Franco Harris ran for 156 yards and the defense forced 6 turnovers (overcoming 7 of their own) as the Steelers rallied to defeat the Browns and remain in first place in the AFC Central. (7-2-1)

• Pittsburgh – Lewis 31 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) 7–0
• Pittsburgh – Bradshaw 18 run (Gerela kick)14–0
• Pittsburgh – Swann 64 punt return (Gerela kick)21–0
• New Orleans – Seal 10 pass from Scott (McClard kick)21–7
• Pittsburgh – Brown 1 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)28–7

In Week 11, #12 Terry Bradshaw was welcomed back into the lineup after the performance by #5 Terry Hanratty. However, in this 28-7 win over the Saints, Bradshaw ran for more yards than he passed. In less than two months, Super Bowl IX was going to be played on the same field. (8-2-1)

• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 44 3–0
• Houston – Willis 6 pass from Pastorini (Butler kick) 7–3
• Pittsburgh – Harris 31 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)10–7
• Houston – FG Butler 42 10–10
• Houston – FG Butler 34 10–13

In Week 12, #75 Joe Greene was allowed to use his new technique called the "Stunt 4-3". He would jump in the gap between the guard and the center, and blow through the gap. Teams were forced to commit so many blockers to Greene, his teammates often went unblocked. However, this still couldn't stop the lowly Oilers from beating them 13-10. (8-3-1)

• New England – Herron 17 pass from Plunkett (Smith kick)0–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 40 3–7
• Pittsburgh – Harris 2 run (kick blocked) 9–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 27 12–7
• New England – FG Smith 20 12–10
• Pittsburgh – Swann 7 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) 19–10
• Pittsburgh – Safety, Greenwood tackled Plunkett in end zone 21–10
• New England – Herron 5 run (Smith kick)21–17

In Week 13, #75 Joe Greene became frustrated and threatened to quit the Steelers after losing to the Oilers the previous week. However, he returned for the most important game of the season in New England. With the win, the Steelers would win the division. With the victory against the Patriots, the Steelers would clinch a playoff spot for the third straight year. The players were nervous and tense. However, the Steelers made quick work of the Patriots, 21-17. The offense was finally clicking. (9-3-1)

• Pittsburgh – Stallworth 5 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)7–0
• Pittsburgh – Mullins 7 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick)14–0
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 26 17–0
• Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann 32 17–3
• Pittsburgh – Harris on 1 run (Gerela kick)24–3
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 42 27–3

In Week 14, the Steelers beat the Bengals in a meaningless game with their offense rolling, and their defense dominating. (10-3-1)

• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 21 PIT 3–0
• Buffalo – Seymour 22 pass from Ferguson (Leypoldt kick) BUF 7–3
• Pittsburgh – Bleier 27 pass from Bradshaw (kick blocked) PIT 9–7
• Pittsburgh – Harris 1 run (Gerela kick) PIT 16–7
• Pittsburgh – Harris 4 run (kick blocked) PIT 22–7
• Pittsburgh – Harris 1 run (Gerela kick) PIT 29–7
• Buffalo – Simpson 3 pass from Ferguson (Leypoldt kick) PIT 29–14
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 22 PIT 32–14

In this Divisional Round playoff game, the Steelers were described as the only team in the playoffs without a quarterback and were expected to lose at home to Buffalo. The last time the Steelers faced the Bills, O.J. Simpson had rushed for 189 yards and the defense was concerned about him. However, by halftime the Steelers had dominated the line of scrimmage and the offense took time away from the Bills as the Steelers went up 29-7. #12 Terry Bradshaw was in the best game of his career. By the end of the game, O.J. was held to 49 yards rushing in his only playoff game of his career. After three weeks of solid performance by everyone, the Steelers were ready to rematch the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game.

• Oakland – FG Blanda 40 OAK 3–0
• Pittsburgh – FG Gerela 23 3–3
• Oakland – Branch 38 pass from Stabler (Blanda kick) OAK 10–3
• Pittsburgh – Harris 8 run (Gerela kick) 10–10
• Pittsburgh – Swann 6 pass from Bradshaw (Gerela kick) PIT 17–10
• Oakland – FG Blanda 24 PIT 17–13
• Pittsburgh – Harris 21 run (Gerela kick) PIT 24–13

In the 1974 AFC Championship Game, all the hype was centered around the Raiders who had ended Miami's reign in stunning a play that went into NFL Lore as the "Sea of Hands". Raiders coach, John Madden however went a little too far in his praising of both teams as he said that when the two best teams in pro-football get together, Miami Dolphins and the Oakland Raiders, great things will happen. Steelers stoic head coach Chuck Noll galvanized the team's spirit by making an unexpected comment. He said that the best team in the NFL was the team in this room. The Steelers would dominate the Raiders in Oakland by using the Stunt 4-3 and stopping the great Oakland offensive line. The Steelers rushed for over 200 yards as the Raiders rushed for a mere 29. Franco Harris ran the final touchdown and sealed the first super bowl appearance in Steelers' history. This game would set the tone for what to come for the rest of the decade.

• Pittsburgh – Safety: Dwight White downed Fran Tarkenton in end zone 2–0 PIT
• Pittsburgh – TD: Franco Harris 9 yard run (Roy Gerela kick) 9–0 PIT
• Minnesota – TD: Terry Brown recovered blocked punt in end zone (kick failed) 9–6 PIT
• Pittsburgh – TD: Larry Brown 4 yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) 16–6 PIT

Approaching Super Bowl IX, Chuck Noll told his team to go out with no bed check and get the town out of their system. The team had a good time in New Orleans. Everyone but #78 Dwight White, who was sick and in the hospital. By Wednesday, they were begging for a bed check. However, that time he gave them and the responsibility was a wonderful way to approach the big game. Noll's approach was in direct contrast to that of Vikings' head coach Bud Grant who had been to two previous super bowls. The Vikings didn't have the relaxed atmosphere was very tense compared to the chilled and relaxed Steelers. Despite the trip to the hospital, #78 Dwight White played and scored the first points in the defensive battle on the first safety in super bowl history. The Steelers shut down the Minnesota run game that wanted to attack the strength like they had Oakland and Buffalo. The Vikings ran 20 times for 17 yards and #10 QB Fran Tarkenton completed just 11 of his 27 passes and threw three picks (1 to #75 Joe Greene though he didn't run very far). #32 Franco Harris ran farther than anyone ever had in the super bowl to that point, setting a record with 158 yards rushing. He was the games Most Valuable Player. The Steelers had finally become champions for the first time in their 42-year history when #12 Terry Bradshaw threw a strike to #87 Larry Brown for a TD. The Steelers had finally done it.