When Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he believes the team’s defense can do “ historic things ,” this probably isn’t what he meant.

Against the Bills on Sunday, the Steelers allowed 249 rushing yards to the Buffalo Bills. It was the most rushing yards allowed by the Steelers at home in 50 years.

It happened on September 28, 1975. It was the home opener, the first game in Pittsburgh after the Steelers put the Vikings in a stranglehold for a 16-6 win in Super Bowl IX. And that game also involved the Bills.

O.J. Simpson had 227 rushing yards that day. Jim Braxton added 80. In all, Buffalo shredded the Steel Curtain for 310 rushing yards, in a 30-21 win.

The Steelers rebounded from that embarrassment, losing only one more game the rest of the season before beating Dallas in Super Bowl X

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