The modern day Patriots would beat those 70’s Steeler teams by 50 points. Terry Bradshaw would even admit that.
Here’s one simple reason for example. The Steelers starting Left Tackle in 1975 (they won the Superbowl that year) was
Jon Kolb: 6’ 2”, 262 Lbs.
The Patriots starting left tackle this year:
Trent Brown: 6’ 8”, 380 Lbs.
The players are so much bigger, so much faster, in far superior condition compared to that era. It would be a slaughter.
It always amuses me how people think the teams from 40 years ago could compete today. Watch ‘80s NBA on YouTube with Domonique Wilkins waltzing to the basket without anyone even trying to get in his way.
Look, anyone that is 6" taller, 120 pounds heavier and is faster and quicker will beat the hell out of the smaller person if both are well trained professional football players.
I never made the claim that the Steelers of the 70s could beat even an average team of today, using today's rules.
The Steelers played 9 games, won them all, had 5 shutouts, and all of the other teams averaged 2.6 points per game.
Could not happen today.
If the Steelers of 76 played the Pats of 2018, using the rules of 76, Tom, don't hit me, pussy boi Brady wouldn't last for 2 offensive series, even with the size disadvantage.
When Joe Greene, with his arm in a cast, hit any offensive lineman in the earhole, and the lineman couldn't use his hands for defense, the Patriots would be running for the showers.
You've got to remember the rules from the 70s, the offensive linemen had to keep their hands on their chest, and the defensive players could and {did} ring their bell up and down the line.
They were allowed to head slap, fore arm to the head of the QB: there were very few 'roughing the QB' calls.
We would punt on every series on first down, and our defense would just have fun.