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The Pro Football Hall of Fame could be close to settling a debate that goes back to the 1970s: Which team from that era had the better offense, the Oakland Raiders or Pittsburgh Steelers? The two rivals of that decade each have the same number of offensive players enshrined in the Hall of Fame; however, that might change come 2022 when one team could break the tie with a new player voted in. So, which team do you think had the better offense, the Silver and Black or the Black and Gold?
Currently the Raiders have offensive tackles Art Shell and Gene Upshaw, wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, tight end Dave Casper, and the most recent addition, quarterback Ken Stabler in the Hall of Fame. While the Steelers have quarterback Terry Bradshaw, running back Franco Harris, center Mike Webster, and wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth in the Hall.
This past August, Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch was named a Hall of Fame finalist for the Class of 2022 by the Senior Committee, meaning he is ensured to be voted on when the Hall of Fame committee meets Super Bowl weekend in February. If Branch makes it in, the Super Bowl XI Raiders team will be the first to sport six Hall of Famers from their offense to be inducted in Canton, Ohio.
Strangely enough, the 1976 Raiders team that won Super Bowl XI wasn’t the best offense that played that year if you trust some of the numbers. They were only 10th in rushing offense, third in passing and fourth overall in scoring. They did, however, lead the NFL in touchdown passes and posted 31 points against the mighty Pittsburgh “Steel Curtain” defense at the start the season, while ending the season with a 32-14 Super Bowl win over the stout Minnesota Vikings defense. Cliff Branch was named an All-Pro that season, his third straight such honor by posting 1,111 yards on just 46 receptions, a 24.2 yards per catch average, while having a league-high 12 touchdowns.
In an era where running the ball was the top priority, right behind scoring of course, both the Raiders and Steelers knew how to play smash mouth football while always being able to go over the top of defenses with their receivers. To have two linemen in the Hall of Fame, for me, gives the Raiders a leg up on this debate over who had the better offense. Adding to the fact that the Raiders were running an offense with a Hall of Fame tight end makes me feel like I would be watching something similar to the 2010s New England Patriots and not a team running a typical 1970s offense, but rather one that was more complex and dynamic.
It may not be the best way settle the argument; however, it is clear to me that you could pick up and move the Oakland Raiders into today’s NFL and see them have more success than what the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team built more on their defense, would have. I would take the Oakland Raiders Monday through Friday and twice on Sunday, and take my chances in this debate.
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Better 1970s Offense: Raiders Or Steelers? | TooAthletic.com
The post Better 1970s Offense: Raiders Or Steelers? appeared first on TOOATHLETIC TAKES.
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By: Rafael Thomas
Title: Better 1970s Offense: Raiders Or Steelers?
Sourced From: tooathletic.com/better-1970s-offense-raiders-or-steelers/
Published Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2021 07:19:06 +0000
