John Madden and the NFL’s Magical Decade of the 1970s

Different times, different rules (for the most part) and no salary cap. The NFL thrived in the 1970s with legendary teams that are well documented and all having plenty of representation in Canton, Ohio.

During the decade, only five different teams won Super Bowl championships. The Pittsburgh Steelers led the way with four titles. That was followed by both the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins with two each. The Baltimore Colts and Oakland Raiders each hoisted one Lombardi Trophy.

That also means, in this instance, only five different head coaches won NFL titles. Don McCafferty was at the helm for the Colts’ 16-13 win over the Cowboys in Super Bowl V. The next nine years would see four legends and Pro Football Hall of Famers come away with championships. In order of their titles, there was Tom Landry (2), Don Shula (2), Chuck Noll (4)…

And John Madden (1).

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A Decade of Dominators

During that decade, it was not unusual to see teams make consecutive Super Bowl appearances. The Cowboys went to Super Bowls V (lost) and VI (won) and also reached XII (won) and XIII (lost). The Dolphins played on Super Sunday three straight years (1971-73) and won Super Bowls VII and VIII. The Steelers are still the only franchise to win consecutive Super Bowls twice – both in 1974 and ’75 (IX and X) and 1978 and ’79 (XIII and XIV). And while they failed to win it all, the Minnesota Vikings appeared in consecutive Super Bowls VIII and IX – and again in XI.

Back to Madden and Noll, who were both hired by the Silver and Black and the Black and Gold, respectively, in 1969. The Raiders finished with a 100-38-6 regular-season record during the decade (Hall of Famer Tom Flores took over the team in 1979). The Steelers were 99-44-1 in the ‘70s and owned a 14-4 postseason record as well in that 10-year span. Two of Pittsburgh’s four playoff losses over those years were to Madden’s Raiders.

Which brings us to the amazing rivalry between these clubs. It really began in the first game of the 1972 season when the Raiders were surprised by the up-and-coming Steelers, 34-28. Then came the “Immaculate Reception” in the AFC Divisional Round. From 1972-76, these talented rivals beat on each other a combined nine time. It remains the only series in NFL history in which two teams met in the postseason five consecutive years.

It’s a different league and a different game in many regards. But the passing of a legendary is a reminder of when the NFL really hit its stride. There will be a moment of silence before each game in Week 17 to honor his memory. That almost seems somewhat misguided. Because the insightful and entertaining John Madden and the NFL of the 1970s made a lot of noise that still resounds today.