When they face the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, the Pittsburgh Steelers will tie the Dallas Cowboys for most appearances in the big game. The men from the Steel City will look to bring home a seventh Lombardi Trophy in two weeks. Let's take a look at the team's Super Bowl history:
Super Bowl IX: Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6 - In front of nearly 81,000 fans, the Steelers defeated the Vikings for their first Super Bowl victory on Jan. 12, 1975. The Steel Curtain and the Purple People Eaters created a defensive struggle for quarterbacks Fran Tarkenton (Minn.) and Terry Bradshaw (Pitt.). Super Bowl MVP Franco Harris' 158 rushing yards for the Steelers was the best all-around performance of the night on offense.
Super Bowl X: Steelers 21, Dallas Cowboys 17 - The two most-dominant teams of the 70s squared off in Miami, Florida on Jan. 18, 1976. With Terry Bradshaw leading the Steelers once again, the Roger Staubach-led Cowboys looked to defeat the defending Super Bowl champions. Steelers receiver Lynn Swann proved to be the crucial difference in this game, and he had 161 receiving yards and a touchdown on four receptions. He won the game's MVP.
Super Bowl XIII: Steelers 35, Cowboys 31 - On Jan. 21, 1979, the Cowboys and Steelers returned to the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida for a rematch of Super Bowl X. Terry Bradshaw was the game MVP, throwing for 318 yards and four touchdowns. Lynn Swann caught seven of Bradshaw's passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. John Stallworth had three receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
Super Bowl XIV: Steelers 31, Los Angeles Rams 19 - The Steelers improved to 4-0 in the Super Bowl when they beat the Rams in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 20, 1980. Bradshaw picked up another Super Bowl MVP with 309 yards and two touchdowns (he did, though, have three interceptions). John Stallworth caught three passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.
Super Bowl XXX: Cowboys 27, Steelers 17 - The Cowboys finally overcame the Steelers in Super Bowl, though it took another 17 years for it to happen (Jan. 28, 1996). The Cowboy's Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, as well as Super Bowl MVP defensive back Larry Brown proved too much for the Bill Cowher-led Steelers to win their fifth Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XL: Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10 - It took a decade for the Steelers to return to the Super Bowl, but on Feb. 5, 2006, Ben Roethlisberger led Pittsburgh to its fifth championship. Hines Ward was the game's MVP for his five-catch, 123-yard performance. His 43-yard touchdown reception from Antwaan Randle El sealed the victory. Running back Willie Parker had a 75-yard touchdown run n the third quarter for the Steelers.
Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23 - This game is remembered for several things. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, at age 38, became the youngest head coach to win the Super Bowl. This was the Cardinals' first Super Bowl appearance, finally breaking on through to the other side. Still, the Steelers went on to win their sixth championship on the strength of Ben Roethlisberger's arm and Santonio Holmes hands. Holmes was named the game's MVP for his nine-catch, 131-yard performance. Cards quarterback Kurt Warner was outstanding in the loss with a 31-of-43 performance for 377 yards and three touchdowns.
History appears to be on the Steelers' side in this latest quest for the Lombardi Trophy.