What if Troy Polamalu played for the Steelers in the 1970s?

How Steelers 1972 season changes

The Steelers went 11-3 in the regular season. Adding Troy Polamalu, the conceivable NFL history is rewritten. They lost to Cleveland 26-24. The Browns kicked four field goals and had two touchdowns.

With Polamalu, the Browns lose as his spend in the secondary gives Pittsburgh front four two or three more sacks. They initially had three but finish with five, killing at least two of the Browns’ field-goal drives or wiping out at least one touchdown drive.

The final score is then Pittsburgh 24, Cleveland 20.

Against Dallas, the outcome again changes. Dallas initially won 17-13 thanks to the third-quarter Ron Sellers touchdown pass to Calvin Hill. With Polamalu in the secondary, he snuffs the play out, and Dallas loses 13-10, which leaves the Cincinnati game.

In the game, the Bengals kicked five field goals and had no touchdowns. With Polamalu, the game changes. Thanks to his coverage, the Steelers have at least three sacks instead of one, and Ken Anderson throws at least two or more interceptions, and they stop two field-goal drives, and the Bengals lose 10-9

At this point, Pittsburgh has an equal record with the Miami Dolphins at 14-0. OK, the Steelers then play the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the playoffs. Thanks to the immaculate reception, the Steelers won 13-7. Otherwise, they would have lost the game.

The addition of Polamalu does the opposite. Ken Stabler never has his 30-yard scramble and does not score, and Pittsburgh wins 6-0.

The victory sets up a showdown with Miami, both now unbeaten.