Four days remain until Super Bowl LVIII, so let’s continue our retrospective of the eight Super Bowl trips the Dallas Cowboys have made. Our attention is on Super Bowl XIII today. performed on January 21, 1979, at…
Our attention is on Super Bowl XIII today. The game, which took place on January 21, 1979, at Miami, Florida’s Orange Bowl, marked the first meeting of the same two teams in a Super Bowl.Three years had passed since the Cowboys and Steelers had squared off for the championship.
As the reigning champs, the Steelers were playing in Super Bowl X. The Cowboys were not going to deny Pittsburgh consecutive championships.
The Cowboys (13-5) were the defending champions going into Super Bowl XIII, and they wanted to exact revenge on the Steelers (16-2) for their earlier defeat.
It had been a defensive struggle in their first meeting, which took place at the Orange Bowl. The offenses would put up a show this time.
An Ominous Beginning
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Cowboys ran 38 yards in six plays. But the ball was turned over by a blunder by Drew Pearson.The Steelers took advantage of the opening play when Terry Bradshaw found John Stallworth for a 28-yard touchdown throw to conclude a seven-play, 53-yard drive.
Five minutes into the game, behind 0–7, Dallas once more ventured into Steelers territory. However, the Cowboys punted after Roger Staubach was sacked twice in quick succession.
Dallas Gets Defensive
Five plays later, D.D. Lewis returned the ball to the Cowboys by intercepting a Bradshaw throw; however, three plays later, the offense punted the ball back.Ed “Too Tall” Three plays later, Jones recovered a Bradshaw fumble, moving Dallas to the Steelers’ 41.As the first quarter came to a close, Staubach tied the score at 7-7 with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Tony Hill on third down.Less than three minutes later, Dallas was up 14-7 thanks to the Cowboys defense. Bradshaw mishandled the ball at his own 39 after being sacked.
After grabbing the ball, Mike Hegman dashed towards the end zone in order to score.With 10:53 remaining in the half, Bradshaw responded immediately after, hitting Stallworth once more for a 75-yard touchdown that tied the score.
Another Crucial Turnover
After going three and outs, the Cowboys were forced to punt. Three minutes later, Roy Gerela tried a 51-yard field goal, but missed.
With 1:52 remaining in the half, Mel Blount intercepted Staubach, giving the Cowboys the appearance of being in position to score again.With 26 seconds remaining, Bradshaw took the Steelers downfield and connected with Rocky Bleier for a seven-yard touchdown, giving them a 21-14 lead at the half.With the exception of one Cowboys drive, both defenses shut down the other team’s offensive for the majority of the third quarter.
One guy, who happened to be a future Hall of Famer and was playing in his final NFL game that night, has been haunted by the outcome of that drive ever since.Jackie Smith spent fifteen seasons as a tight end with the St. Louis Cardinals. He signed on with the Cowboys in 1978 in an attempt to get the coveted Super Bowl ring.Smith was wide open in the end zone as Staubach dropped back.As the ball approached, Smith dove to the ground to grab the low pass, falling on his backside but keeping both hands in front of him.
The ball passed through his hands, struck him in the chest, and then bounced off to land on the grass. The following play, Rafael Septien would score a field goal from 27 yards out.
It was still catchable even though the pass could have been higher. And Smith felt more guilty about it than anybody else on the earth.
The Final Numbers
The Cowboys were playing in the Orange Bowl for the third time in their Super Bowl history. All three of their games were losses.
In the 1970s, Dallas won two Super Bowls, the first one in New Orleans.
Super Bowl XII, the first-ever indoor Super Bowl, took place at the Superdome, while Super Bowl VI took place at Tulane Stadium.
Ultimately, Staubach completed 17 of 30 passes for 228 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. He was sacked five times and gained 37 yards on four separate runs.
Tony Dorsett gained 44 yards through five receptions in addition to 96 yards on 16 carries.
On four receptions, Drew Pearson gained 73 yards.
Nevertheless, the Steelers scored scores after each of Dallas’ three mistakes. The offense was unable to score more than the 21 points it had conceded.
Bradshaw was likewise 17 of 30 but finished with 318 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. He has four job terminations.
Harris had 20 carries for 68 yards, leading the Steelers.
Stallworth finished with three catches for 115 yards, while Swann finished with seven grabs for 124 yards.
