Two teams with a lot of Hall of Famers and well known players! This was a hard hitting contest for sure! Many of the hits would be illegal in todays NFL… Thanks so much for another awesome video! It is very much appreciated! These videos bring back a lot of good memories!
Winston (#53) goes up there with Bill Saul and Jack Lambert as menacing, physical Steeler middle linebackers. And, very true about the physicality in this contest.
You really had to have guts to continue to run those pass patterns across the middle like Drew Pearson did. A characteristic that lead to a lot of big catches in his HOF career. "Clutch", indeed.
@@markgardner9460 The Bill Saul NFL Films episode is a 60's classic and very hard to find the entire footage. When I was buying from Steve Sabol I requested the whole episode of Bill Saul vs the Redskins and he couldn't provide it. Later, when NFL Films released 2 DVD sets of the History of each team, on the Steelers edition it has in it's bonus footage the Bill Saul game plus him telling you the story as he works as a bartender, pretty cool.
For some reason, The Steelers seemed to have the Cowboys number. Beating Dallas 5 straight times. Including two of the best Super Bowls ever played. In fact I would put SB XIII in the conversation of best SB ever. Almost too many legends to count on this field. 20+ Hall Of Famers. And a few should-be enshrineed. Including Ed Too Tall Jones, Harvey Martin, Tom Rafferty, Ralph Neely and Charlie Waters. Hollywood Henderson is one of those examples of what might've been. One of the most exciting and talented LB's in the game. Cut short by his addiction. The 1977 Dallas Cowboys were one hell of a machine. Arguably the best that America's Team ever fielded. Scored one of the most impressive defensive performances in Super Bowl History. Holding Denver to 35 yards passing, and collecting 8 turnovers( a record they would break themselves in SB 27).
I think that SB XIII was the best/most exciting one of all. Their first match up was very good as well (the best one by far leading up to the point). Tony Dorsett was the missing piece of the puzzle for the Cowboys - a true gamebreaker that they'd been missing since Duane Thomas.
@@markgardner9460 What made SB XIII so good. The Steelers Defense that year was amazing. And the Cowboys were able to move the ball against them. Think of everything that was at stake in that game. Whoever won would be Team of the Decade. Think of the talent on the field, the sidelines, and both front offices. Maybe the most assembled for any SB ever. Pittsburgh ' 78 was one of the best and most complete teams in NFL History. I think the Cowboys would've beaten anybody else. The Steelers had to be as good as they were to win that one. And the Cowboys were the 1st Super Bowl Champion to lose the Title in the next SB. I just became a fan of America's Team late that year. I was just 9 years old. I don't remember feeling too bitter about the loss. They gave all they could up to the end. They did not quit after being down 35-17. That impressed me almost as much as any win.
@@markgardner9460 A HOF TE known for one big mistake. Like Bill Buckner, like Scott Norwood. A catch would have tied the game. Becomes a whole new ball game. Roger, being Roger, would say later that his throw was a little low. It might have been worse if that play was at the end of the game or in OT.
Yeah, you can definately see that he took a lot off the ball and caused it to flutter and die. If he just throws it with normal velocity, Jackie probably catches it for sure. Another HOF TE, Mike Ditka, who played with the Cowboys dropped a big pass in the Super Bowl against the Dolphins (definately not as costly as Smith's was, however)
Two exceptional teams going at it, toe to toe, in a Week 10 game. Bradshaw (12) with some amazing throws. That screen pass to Rocky Bleier (20) was a thing of beauty. Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier on the call. Love seeing these classic games.
Screen plays appear to be so easy to execute, but nothing could be farther from the truth. It's poetry in motion when executed well. Pat and Tom provided so much awesome commentary that I didn't need to chime in as often as I usually do. I'm gonna find some more games of theirs to publish.
I agree! Just like yesterday...Drew Pearson definitely had a bullseye on him at Three Rivers that day; much like how the Raiders treated Lynn Swann. Dennis "Dirt" Winston (53) spent the day terrorizing the Cowboys. "Head-hunting" was a basic part of the NFL landscape those years.
What a great ass kicking game full of revenge from previous meetings. The Steelers head hunted Drew Pearson 3 times here and unbelievably no calls. You made a remark about Roy Gerela's decline and it showed on those first 3 extra points, they were all a close shave, ha.
Dirt Winston launched himself head-first into Pearson on one of those hits. If that happened today? Whew! The guy wouldn't be able to walk the streets without taking a mountain of abuse.
Dallas used a very "vanilla" game plan this game. They expected to see Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl later and were not showing anything extra. This game was man on man and right up the Steeler's alley.
You're absolutely right! Landry normally had 2 to 3 gadget plays that he used every game. There was only 1 in this game and Dorsett couldn't get the handle on the ball to throw it. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Some people think the Cowboys were a finesse team. NOT TRUE. Doomsday Defense!! Hard hitters such as Randy White, Hollywood Henderson, & Cliff Harris amongst others.
I really appreciate your channel as this was when football was football. That era was still a little too run heavy for my tastes but by '77 the passing game was starting to become a bit more prominent. Anywho, this was a time when it was as much about will as it was about talent. Love hearing Summerall and Brooksy here too.
Fouts' Chargers really opened up the passing game to a new level not seen since the AFL days. A 50/50 passing/running ratio would be ideal and that seems to be in the era from '78 to around '90, roughly, but historically most of the time it's been predominately one or the other. Anyway, thank you for watching and I appreciate your comments!
Well, Fouts and Company really came into their own in 1978 with (1.) the arrival of Don Coryell in San Diego and (2.) the new NFL rules limiting defenders to contacting receivers only within five yards of the line of scrimmage and also allowing offensive linemen to open their hands and extend their arms while pass-blocking defenders.
I started watching football seriously in 1978 Steelers was my first favorite team, Dallas was my dad's but I liked Dallas too, so this is the perfect matchup for me to reminisce and a game I probably hadn't seen I was 8 yrs old. 3:39 Tony Dorsett Nice TD Run 4:06 Franco Harris Classic TD Run 5:08 Harris good run 5:55 Randy White HOFR sack on Bradshaw 6:24 Too Tall Jones sack Hof Snub? If you add all the Batted Balls & Blocked Fgs along with his sack totals. 6:43 Robert Newhouse great run 8:30 John Stallworth Nice Catch 8:52 Great catch Lynn Swann out of bounds 9:52 Lynn Swann TD catch My Favorite Receiver 10:23 Tony Dorsett great RAC 11:46 Walter Payton 58 Yrds Run en route to his 275 yrd game against the Vikings Halftime Highlight 13:20 Franco Harris good run 13:50 John Stallworth Big TD Play 14:32 Nice Run Dorsett bounces off a hit Great Stuff Good Memories
I was surprised at how well the Steelers were able to run the ball through Dallas' famous flex defense which was designed to stop the run. I know that Jethro Pugh was getting long in the tooth, so maybe they were running at him. The Cowboys OLB's didn't weigh much either - seems like they got pushed around by the Steelers. Regarding Payton's record-breaking game that was shown at halftime: he was their entire offense, as they only threw for 23 yards!
@@markgardner9460 Only threw for 23 yrds 😂 That was sad. I know he carried the ball like 40 times. It is sure neat to watch how fast Tony Dorsett was thru the line. He had insane Quickness. Stallworth everytime I watch his highlights he keeps looking better and better. Always fun watching either of the two teams back in the 70's
Not only did T.D. have crazy quickness, but he could stop on a dime and cut quick cleanly. To me, he's underrated amongst the greats. Slender in stature, but always available for duty
Thanks again for posting these games from my childhood. 🖤🏈💛 I'm not sure if I've already asked you this: Why do you suppose there were civilian vehicles parked inside the stadiums in so many of these old films? Who were the owners of those cars, and how did they receive special parking permission? I can't recall seeing vehicles in the stadiums of modern games..... and that's probably a good thing. I recall Lynn Swann colliding with, and then going over, one of those cars parked along the end zone. Ouch!
I know that Dodge Charger cars used to be on the field in Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego as part of prop advertising, but I am unsure of these other stadiums. It certainly is a head scratcher. Does anyone have any ideas regarding this? Thank you for watching and commenting!!
@SportsStatsNGab I was reminded of this car question today because @ 7:33 -ish in this vid, I see a random, big 'ol sedan near the end zone right here in Three Rivers Stadium. Thanks for your reply. Maybe we'll get some more answers from your other viewers.
Local car dealerships would put the latest model cars on display especially at Three Rivers & The Murph (San Diego) as a way of advertising and promoting their cars. It was a marketing ploy.
13:23-Franco Harris (R.I.P.) was most nimble. Maybe I'm contrary to Tom Brookshier's (R.I.P.) observation, but Harris put a filthy move on D.D. Lewis here. Ouch! (I had to check Wikipedia to verify [!] that Lewis is still alive. Wow, all these R.I.P.s. Alas, time waits for no one).
For a big guy, Franco could stop the train at a moments notice and avoid a would-be tackler.....doesn't look spectacular, but it's highly effective. Dorsett put a move on Glen Edwards that left him grasping ozone, but he was a different type of RB.
Some of the best and hardest hitting games, were between these two teams, was a Cowboy fan, but also love the Steelers, so it was always hard to route for either team when they played.😊
Well, there's 1979, where Pittsburgh knocked Staubach out with the concussion that would prove to be the beginning of the ending of Staubach's career (though he would go on to have a very successful post-football career).
@@3243_ seems that Bradshaw was a bit more durable when it came to Head injuries, but back then they Didn't have the helmets and rules they have now, I remember that when I played, the helmet we had were archaic. So when I forget some I always Tell My Wife that I have been hit in the head a lot lol😅
I was a young Cowboys fan in the 70s and those Dallas/Pittsburgh games were brutal. I don't think the Steelers got up for any team like they did the Cowboys. The 2nd SB they played in 79 was like a grudge match. Merlin Olsen was on the sideline for NBC during the game and said he'd never seen or heard such hard hitting in a game. That was the best SB ever played and I was crushed when Pittsburgh won
@@markgardner9460 A few years ago, I watched it again and Olsen made that comment during the game when they went to him for a sideline report. Pretty impressive coming from a guy like him
This brought back memories. I was a Cowboys fan as a kid. Wow, was Dorsett fast. But Franco Harris had excellent speed, too. He showed it on that long TD run. And that was surprising seeing Tony Dungy intercept Roger Staubach. I'm a huge Staubach fan, but that wasn't his best game.
12:31-Walter Payton, my second all-time favorite player (Jim Brown). I watched that game when I was thirteen and it was indeed a mess in the Meadowlands. As I recall, this was the first meeting between the Bears and Giants of major importance since the 1963 NFL title game won by Chicago. The Bears won this game and qualified for the 1977 playoffs as a wild card (lost at eventual champion Dallas). 12:36-the Giants' Larry Csonka in the slosh, one year before the infamous "Miracle at the Meadowlands".
@@markgardner9460 I'm glad that you had both Payton and Csonka in the clip. They were the two RBs I emulated as a kid (then Billy Sims in my teen years lol).
Not dissing OJ's 2003 yrd season, but according to the Dolphins Jake Scott, the Bill's late in the season were not even trying to win games but totally going for OJ to get the first 2000 rushing record, if you watch the last game between the Bills and Dolphins in that 1973 season you'll see it's true, the Bills didnt care if they lost as long as OJ got the yards. The Bears with Payton were totally different in that 77 season, they were trying to win games to get into the playoffs. I'm not a Bears fan so i'm not biased in any way, I'm a total Vikings homer.
Those teams should have had a distinct advantage halting OJ ,since it was apparent what the bills obvious one dimensional offensive goal was ,and those teams didn't succeed . .
Today’s football just witnessed the retirement of the greatest of all time Tom Brady and possibly other greats like Aaron Rodgers, Rob Gronkowski and others. The great players plying today like Patrick Mahommes, Travis Kelsey, George Kittle, Dak Prescott, Zeke Elliott, and many others. The generation before had Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, John Elway, Brett Favre and many others. All are much appreciated. What I find a bit strange is that this generation of player’s players like Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, Drew Pearson, Lynn Swann, Tony Dorset, Franco Harris, Preston Pierson et al, don’t get the credit they deserve. Remember, these guys were playing for low salaries, a small fraction of what today’s bench warmers earn, often playing with injuries that would sideline today’s players for weeks and you can tell by watching this video and looking at how they played, they were playing for the love of the game and not the out of this world salaries that today’s players earn
Funny thing about this game it was the only stumbling block the Cowboys had (along with the 24-17 loss to the Cards in Dallas the week earlier) on their way to 12-2 and an easy SB XII win over Denver. So the Steelers who lost 34-21 to the Broncos in the playoffs still had the Cow-pokes number going 4-1 against Dallas in the 1970s.
@@markgardner9460 The Vikings should have stopped the 14-0 run the Dolphins would have in game 3 of the 1972 season. You can never count on the Vikings as a sure thing especially in the Super Bowl.
The Broncos only lost one game that year not to the Cowboys and finished 12-3 after the SB loss. Once to i believe the Raiders and two losses to the Cowboys, one in the regular season.
Yes, even with 4 Steeler starters out with injury, no lack of hitting by the 2nd string.. As Ronnie Lott said in his book, "The Steelers always check your balls, because they draft big hitters". And of course this is why Tex Schramm, Don Shula, and the like whined to the league to change the rules, hampering the defenses that were beating their teams up.... Great to see this post showing historical Football as it really was.
Were the Cowboys ever at home vs the Steelers during this era ? I think I remember the meeting in 85 was in Dallas -:but other than that I don't remember. This game is a little like super bowl 13. It was close after half and then boom the Steelers were up 28-13, 35-17...
I'm not sure - I'd need to research that. These two teams had very exciting Super Bowls (at least the first two) and their regular season match-ups in the '70's were fun to watch, too.
@@markgardner9460 Funny how you mentioned Henderson's drug problem and Lawrence Taylor wore his 56 which led him down the same path, how they played so well being so high is hard to imagine.
Initially, I did not make that connection, but when I watched the video again I picked up on that. Nice catch. Henderson did some right at mid-field of the second Super Bowl against the Steelers just as half-time started, per his book "Out of Control"
Wow, that's how brazen and prevalent cocaine use was in sports in the late 70's and 80's on top of steroids, pills, alcohol and everything else, who knows what was going on before drug testing.
The Cowboys played "The Game of Their Lives" according to the game announcers. However, the superiority of The Steelers sent them home with yet another loss. What a decade.
@@brötzmannsax You are a true American sir! Who would even think of calling the Cowpies "America's Team?" My team was in Washington=the nation's capital. Hope you/family are well ...
As much as I loved watching the NFL back in this time, I was a Bert Jones fan and love the Baltimore Colts, meaning I hate it both of these teams, now in hindsight, knowing what happened to the health of Tony, Dorsett and Pearson, I wouldn’t hate if they totally outlawed this game. The changes they made to make it safe, makes it literally in watchable. It takes all of the marketing on planet earth to get anyone to even care about it today. I never let my kids ever play the game after meeting Earl Campbell, who literally was in wheelchairs , after his career still being young. It’s a cash 22. This game is meant to be played the way it was in the 70s and 60s. It’s too dangerous for people to actually play. And making it “safer” has turned it to crap.
@SportsStatsNGab Yes, that's a really good point. Payback to Dallas for their years of late hits on Bradshaw. Drew didn't personally deserve it, but as a Steelers / Dolphins fan, I admire Pearson for taking the rough plays like a man, and respect Pittsburgh for sending the same message they sent to the cheap-shot raiders.
Did I hear this right from Pat Summerall. Did they get Preston Pearson for $100 dollars??? Wow, crazy, insane. He was a superbowl running vack previously f or Steelers. Yes, it was greatest acquisition in Cowboys history.
Cowboys and Steelers might be my two least favorite teams. I’m a Washington fan, so my dislike for Dallas is genetic. Many Pittsburghers or whatever you call them, relocated to the DC area and brought their stupid towels with them. Maybe with Snyder gone, we’ll convert them to being Washington fans. With that said the Cowboy and Steeler teams of the 70’s command respect. Great players, personalities and coaches. Their teams from the 90’s until present day, however, can piss off. I love your videos. Thank you!
I respect all that. I'm glad you love my videos - I've got a new one set to be released in just over one hour, so I hope that you'll check it out. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Yeah, he was only a full-time starter for a couple years with the Saints. He had a difficult time cracking that Steelers starting linebacker position. He was a solid player.
I'm glad Dallas got a couple of losses against the Cards and Steelers, as an undefeated record is like an albatross hanging around the neck of a playoff team. In 1984 and 1985, both San Fran and Chicago got their negative karma out of their systems, and any cockiness that might have ensued by losing one game, the 49ers to Pittsburgh and Bears to the Dolphins. This slap upside the head ensured Dallas wasn't going to take anything for granted down the stretch. The Cards lost their final four games to finish 7-7, even losing to the Buccaneers and Pittsburgh's experience could not match Denver's emotion in the first round of the playoffs. The Cowboys peaked when it mattered, the pass rush that destroyed Craig Morton was unstoppable. I would love to claim 1980 as Dallas' year as the Cowboys beat Oakland in the Coliseum, but like Pittsburgh's victory here, it didn't mean a cup of spit come playoff time. Jack Lambert called 1977 the Steelers' season of distraction, referring to salary disputes and Mel Blount's lawsuit against Noll for admitting the truth that he was just a dirty as any Raider criminal element. The Steelers played and won their Super Bowl here as Miami did againt Chicago on MNF eight years later, then couldn't even beat New England in the playoffs.
@@markgardner9460 No I mean in 1985 Miami was good enough to beat the Bears, but not good enough to beat New Engand in the AFC Title Game. The point being that beating the Bears, however great, didn't mean much come playoff time.
I would have to disagree. The 1979 game was more fierce. Staubach was knocked out in this game. The Steeler defense had the Cowbys intimidated. Steelers 14 Cowboys 3. I watched that game, and I will never forget all of the hard-hitting. Especially the Linbacker Winston..
I won't express my disappointment in not seeing you in a serious Steelers jersey at the end of this video, consider this a requirement for future videos please.
@@markgardner9460 LOL, make it your signature move following your video presentation, so we can see your cool jersey collection like you been doing. Some of us have made remarks on them and would look forward to more I'm sure.
@@exmaj5040 I fully expected a Franco jersey at the end of this, imagine the worst timing of him passing away before the Immaculate Reception 50th Anniversary celebration, unimaginable! I'm curious why you are supposed to be a Steelers fan but aren't, were you raised in Pittsburgh?
Idt the Cowboys ever beat the Steelers In the 70s did they? Some say the Steelers were the best all time,I disagree, those early 90s Cowboys w/ Eik Williams would have a serious size advantage & would push that D all over the field. And Norton,Haley & Deon would limit them to maybe 20pts. Just my opinion..
Just found this channel and man is this footage awesome to watch. Keep up the great work man. Watching the football my Dad watched and described to me has enrich our already great relationship even with him gone.
When you watch old football games it is impossible not to think of our fathers who born and raised us watching these games every Sunday. As a Giants fan, I shared the first 2 Super Bowls with my father in 1986 and 1991 and when he passed away in 1996 he saw the first two but missed the second two. My son was born in the 90's who I shared the 2007 and 2012 Super Bowls with him. So I was fortunate to live thru all 4 Super Bowl's my dad saw 2 and my son saw 2, funny how life can be.
Two teams with a lot of Hall of Famers and well known players! This was a hard hitting contest for sure! Many of the hits would be illegal in todays NFL…
Thanks so much for another awesome video! It is very much appreciated! These videos bring back a lot of good memories!
Winston (#53) goes up there with Bill Saul and Jack Lambert as menacing, physical Steeler middle linebackers. And, very true about the physicality in this contest.
You really had to have guts to continue to run those pass patterns across the middle like Drew Pearson did. A characteristic that lead to a lot of big catches in his HOF career. "Clutch", indeed.
The whole Saul family was tough......man I'd hate to see them fighting over food during the holidays, LoL
You've watched the NFL Films episode where he wore the wireless microphone? Great stuff - I liked it a lot.
@@markgardner9460 The Bill Saul NFL Films episode is a 60's classic and very hard to find the entire footage. When I was buying from Steve Sabol I requested the whole episode of Bill Saul vs the Redskins and he couldn't provide it. Later, when NFL Films released 2 DVD sets of the History of each team, on the Steelers edition it has in it's bonus footage the Bill Saul game plus him telling you the story as he works as a bartender, pretty cool.
Yeah, I've seen that - very cool stuff. I would have loved to have watched the Steelers play at old Pitt Stadium.
For some reason, The Steelers seemed to have the Cowboys number. Beating Dallas 5 straight times. Including two of the best Super Bowls ever played. In fact I would put SB XIII in the conversation of best SB ever. Almost too many legends to count on this field. 20+ Hall Of Famers. And a few should-be enshrineed. Including Ed Too Tall Jones, Harvey Martin, Tom Rafferty, Ralph Neely and Charlie Waters. Hollywood Henderson is one of those examples of what might've been. One of the most exciting and talented LB's in the game. Cut short by his addiction. The 1977 Dallas Cowboys were one hell of a machine. Arguably the best that America's Team ever fielded. Scored one of the most impressive defensive performances in Super Bowl History. Holding Denver to 35 yards passing, and collecting 8 turnovers( a record they would break themselves in SB 27).
I think that SB XIII was the best/most exciting one of all. Their first match up was very good as well (the best one by far leading up to the point). Tony Dorsett was the missing piece of the puzzle for the Cowboys - a true gamebreaker that they'd been missing since Duane Thomas.
@@markgardner9460 What made SB XIII so good. The Steelers Defense that year was amazing. And the Cowboys were able to move the ball against them. Think of everything that was at stake in that game. Whoever won would be Team of the Decade. Think of the talent on the field, the sidelines, and both front offices. Maybe the most assembled for any SB ever. Pittsburgh ' 78 was one of the best and most complete teams in NFL History. I think the Cowboys would've beaten anybody else. The Steelers had to be as good as they were to win that one. And the Cowboys were the 1st Super Bowl Champion to lose the Title in the next SB. I just became a fan of America's Team late that year. I was just 9 years old. I don't remember feeling too bitter about the loss. They gave all they could up to the end. They did not quit after being down 35-17. That impressed me almost as much as any win.
How 'bout if Jackie Smith catches that seemingly sure touchdown?
@@markgardner9460 A HOF TE known for one big mistake. Like Bill Buckner, like Scott Norwood. A catch would have tied the game. Becomes a whole new ball game. Roger, being Roger, would say later that his throw was a little low. It might have been worse if that play was at the end of the game or in OT.
Yeah, you can definately see that he took a lot off the ball and caused it to flutter and die. If he just throws it with normal velocity, Jackie probably catches it for sure. Another HOF TE, Mike Ditka, who played with the Cowboys dropped a big pass in the Super Bowl against the Dolphins (definately not as costly as Smith's was, however)
Summerall and Brookshier were sure easy on the ears.
Worked so well together - one of the greatest announcing teams of all-time.
They drank the best scotch.
and Jack Daniels. Saw a photo of them in an announcing booth with a 1.75 liter of Jack and nothing but smiles.
@@markgardner9460 The good old days when you could drink and smoke openly on TV (like Johnny Carson) and nobody cried but laughed along.
and smoking on the sidelines was a common occurrence. I saw John Madden smoking once. Bradshaw had big chaws of tobacco on the sidelines, too.
Two exceptional teams going at it, toe to toe, in a Week 10 game. Bradshaw (12) with some amazing throws. That screen pass to Rocky Bleier (20) was a thing of beauty. Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier on the call. Love seeing these classic games.
Screen plays appear to be so easy to execute, but nothing could be farther from the truth. It's poetry in motion when executed well. Pat and Tom provided so much awesome commentary that I didn't need to chime in as often as I usually do. I'm gonna find some more games of theirs to publish.
That was a sweet play on the hand off to Franco on the goal line.
Was that cross-blocking? trap-blocking? I'm trying to recall.
I agree! Just like yesterday...Drew Pearson definitely had a bullseye on him at Three Rivers that day; much like how the Raiders treated Lynn Swann. Dennis "Dirt" Winston (53) spent the day terrorizing the Cowboys. "Head-hunting" was a basic part of the NFL landscape those years.
@@markgardner9460 We used to call that the back door trap.
What a great ass kicking game full of revenge from previous meetings. The Steelers head hunted Drew Pearson 3 times here and unbelievably no calls. You made a remark about Roy Gerela's decline and it showed on those first 3 extra points, they were all a close shave, ha.
Dirt Winston launched himself head-first into Pearson on one of those hits. If that happened today? Whew! The guy wouldn't be able to walk the streets without taking a mountain of abuse.
Or losing a ton of money in fines and most likely a minimum one-game suspension.
Dallas used a very "vanilla" game plan this game. They expected to see Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl later and were not showing anything extra. This game was man on man and right up the Steeler's alley.
You're absolutely right! Landry normally had 2 to 3 gadget plays that he used every game. There was only 1 in this game and Dorsett couldn't get the handle on the ball to throw it. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Not true. They played in SB 13, one year after this 1977 meeting. Tom Landry was a great coach but he couldn’t see the future.
Everyone thought it would have been Pittsburgh, not Denver that year.@@terribletomvu37
Some people think the Cowboys were a finesse team. NOT TRUE. Doomsday Defense!! Hard hitters such as Randy White, Hollywood Henderson, & Cliff Harris amongst others.
#63 Larry Cole was fierce - ask Bradshaw about his hit on him in Super Bowl 10
I enjoyed that video thoroughly. Thank you.
Thank you - I appreciate it!
I really appreciate your channel as this was when football was football. That era was still a little too run heavy for my tastes but by '77 the passing game was starting to become a bit more prominent.
Anywho, this was a time when it was as much about will as it was about talent. Love hearing Summerall and Brooksy here too.
Fouts' Chargers really opened up the passing game to a new level not seen since the AFL days. A 50/50 passing/running ratio would be ideal and that seems to be in the era from '78 to around '90, roughly, but historically most of the time it's been predominately one or the other. Anyway, thank you for watching and I appreciate your comments!
Well, Fouts and Company really came into their own in 1978 with (1.) the arrival of Don Coryell in San Diego and (2.) the new NFL rules limiting defenders to contacting receivers only within five yards of the line of scrimmage and also allowing offensive linemen to open their hands and extend their arms while pass-blocking defenders.
@@3243_ The NFL should have only instituded 1 of those rules, then waited 1 year to determine the degree of effect.
1978 new rules changed that. More pass happy league
I started watching football seriously in 1978 Steelers was my first favorite team, Dallas was my dad's but I liked Dallas too, so this is the perfect matchup for me to reminisce and a game I probably hadn't seen I was 8 yrs old.
3:39 Tony Dorsett Nice TD Run
4:06 Franco Harris Classic TD Run
5:08 Harris good run
5:55 Randy White HOFR sack on Bradshaw
6:24 Too Tall Jones sack Hof Snub? If you add all the Batted Balls & Blocked Fgs along with his sack totals.
6:43 Robert Newhouse great run
8:30 John Stallworth Nice Catch
8:52 Great catch Lynn Swann out of bounds
9:52 Lynn Swann TD catch My Favorite Receiver
10:23 Tony Dorsett great RAC
11:46 Walter Payton 58 Yrds Run en route to his 275 yrd game against the Vikings Halftime Highlight
13:20 Franco Harris good run
13:50 John Stallworth Big TD Play
14:32 Nice Run Dorsett bounces off a hit
Great Stuff Good Memories
I was surprised at how well the Steelers were able to run the ball through Dallas' famous flex defense which was designed to stop the run. I know that Jethro Pugh was getting long in the tooth, so maybe they were running at him. The Cowboys OLB's didn't weigh much either - seems like they got pushed around by the Steelers. Regarding Payton's record-breaking game that was shown at halftime: he was their entire offense, as they only threw for 23 yards!
@@markgardner9460 Only threw for 23 yrds 😂 That was sad. I know he carried the ball like 40 times. It is sure neat to watch how fast Tony Dorsett was thru the line. He had insane Quickness.
Stallworth everytime I watch his highlights he keeps looking better and better. Always fun watching either of the two teams back in the 70's
Stallworth and Swann were sooo smooth...and they could both jump out of a stadium.
Not only did T.D. have crazy quickness, but he could stop on a dime and cut quick cleanly. To me, he's underrated amongst the greats. Slender in stature, but always available for duty
@@markgardner9460 Air Jordan of Football. Bradshaws Gameplan just throw it there direction and most of the time Swann would find it Lol
Wearing my 1978 red patriots jersey of Steve Grogan while I’m watching your video
In '79, he would lead the NFL with 28 passing td's! Excellent choice.
Those were the Patriots' best uniforms by far. They need to return to those instead of those hideous all-navy blue uniforms they wear now.
Grogan was 1 tuff cookie..
Thanks again for posting these games from my childhood.
🖤🏈💛
I'm not sure if I've already asked you this:
Why do you suppose there were civilian vehicles parked inside the stadiums in so many of these old films?
Who were the owners of those cars, and how did they receive special parking permission?
I can't recall seeing vehicles in the stadiums of modern games..... and that's probably a good thing.
I recall Lynn Swann colliding with, and then going over, one of those cars parked along the end zone.
Ouch!
I know that Dodge Charger cars used to be on the field in Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego as part of prop advertising, but I am unsure of these other stadiums. It certainly is a head scratcher. Does anyone have any ideas regarding this? Thank you for watching and commenting!!
@SportsStatsNGab
I was reminded of this car question today because @ 7:33 -ish in this vid, I see a random, big 'ol sedan near the end zone right here in Three Rivers Stadium.
Thanks for your reply.
Maybe we'll get some more answers from your other viewers.
@@onepunch9203 Yeah, it just doesn't make sense....and it's not like it's only 1 car...there are multiple cars
Local car dealerships would put the latest model cars on display especially at Three Rivers & The Murph (San Diego) as a way of advertising and promoting their cars. It was a marketing ploy.
Makes sense....cuz why else would we be seeing a Brady Bunch-style station wagon?
13:23-Franco Harris (R.I.P.) was most nimble. Maybe I'm contrary to Tom Brookshier's (R.I.P.) observation, but Harris put a filthy move on D.D. Lewis here. Ouch!
(I had to check Wikipedia to verify [!] that Lewis is still alive. Wow, all these R.I.P.s. Alas, time waits for no one).
For a big guy, Franco could stop the train at a moments notice and avoid a would-be tackler.....doesn't look spectacular, but it's highly effective. Dorsett put a move on Glen Edwards that left him grasping ozone, but he was a different type of RB.
Some of the best and hardest hitting games, were between these two teams, was a Cowboy fan, but also love the Steelers, so it was always hard to route for either team when they played.😊
I'm going to check and see if I can publish another one of these regular season match-ups!
Well, there's 1979, where Pittsburgh knocked Staubach out with the concussion that would prove to be the beginning of the ending of Staubach's career (though he would go on to have a very successful post-football career).
@@3243_ seems that Bradshaw was a bit more durable when it came to
Head injuries, but back then they
Didn't have the helmets and rules they have now, I remember that when I played, the helmet we had were archaic. So when I forget some I always
Tell
My
Wife that I have been hit in the head a lot lol😅
I was a young Cowboys fan in the 70s and those Dallas/Pittsburgh games were brutal. I don't think the Steelers got up for any team like they did the Cowboys. The 2nd SB they played in 79 was like a grudge match. Merlin Olsen was on the sideline for NBC during the game and said he'd never seen or heard such hard hitting in a game. That was the best SB ever played and I was crushed when Pittsburgh won
Thank you for your comments! I think that was the best SB played, too. I had not heard that about Merlin Olsen's comments - great stuff!
@@markgardner9460 A few years ago, I watched it again and Olsen made that comment during the game when they went to him for a sideline report. Pretty impressive coming from a guy like him
@@mhlaw229 Merlin, Lilly, Page and Greene...best DT's of all-time and they all played in the same era.
Pittsburgh and Dallas always great competition, but the Steeler - Raider games of the mid-70's were the most brutal...
@@Thatmaninrio I agree with that. Real hatred on both sides
Loved it!
This brought back memories. I was a Cowboys fan as a kid. Wow, was Dorsett fast. But Franco Harris had excellent speed, too. He showed it on that long TD run. And that was surprising seeing Tony Dungy intercept Roger Staubach. I'm a huge Staubach fan, but that wasn't his best game.
If I had one game to play, I'd have Staubach as my QB. Thanks for your comments!
12:31-Walter Payton, my second all-time favorite player (Jim Brown). I watched that game when I was thirteen and it was indeed a mess in the Meadowlands. As I recall, this was the first meeting between the Bears and Giants of major importance since the 1963 NFL title game won by Chicago. The Bears won this game and qualified for the 1977 playoffs as a wild card (lost at eventual champion Dallas). 12:36-the Giants' Larry Csonka in the slosh, one year before the infamous "Miracle at the Meadowlands".
Glad that you picked up on the Csonka photo. I wanted another one of Walter sloshing about, but could not pass up that Zonk picture.
Both teams fell on hard times fast after that '63 game
@@markgardner9460 I'm glad that you had both Payton and Csonka in the clip. They were the two RBs I emulated as a kid (then Billy Sims in my teen years lol).
@@exmaj5040 Billy Sims is my favorite RB of all-time. I used to dive into snowbanks and pretend I was him at the goal line.
@@markgardner9460Yes! Only "Sweetness" himself was better at diving over the pile! I would do Sims' "soaring airplane" when scoring a TD!
Not dissing OJ's 2003 yrd season, but according to the Dolphins Jake Scott, the Bill's late in the season were not even trying to win games but totally going for OJ to get the first 2000 rushing record, if you watch the last game between the Bills and Dolphins in that 1973 season you'll see it's true, the Bills didnt care if they lost as long as OJ got the yards. The Bears with Payton were totally different in that 77 season, they were trying to win games to get into the playoffs. I'm not a Bears fan so i'm not biased in any way, I'm a total Vikings homer.
The same thing was said by Lions players when O.J. ran for a record 273 yards in the '76 Turkey Day Game.
Those teams should have had a distinct advantage halting OJ ,since it was apparent what the bills obvious one dimensional offensive goal was ,and those teams didn't succeed . .
Today’s football just witnessed the retirement of the greatest of all time Tom Brady and possibly other greats like Aaron Rodgers, Rob Gronkowski and others. The great players plying today like Patrick Mahommes, Travis Kelsey, George Kittle, Dak Prescott, Zeke Elliott, and many others. The generation before had Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, John Elway, Brett Favre and many others. All are much appreciated. What I find a bit strange is that this generation of player’s players like Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, Drew Pearson, Lynn Swann, Tony Dorset, Franco Harris, Preston Pierson et al, don’t get the credit they deserve. Remember, these guys were playing for low salaries, a small fraction of what today’s bench warmers earn, often playing with injuries that would sideline today’s players for weeks and you can tell by watching this video and looking at how they played, they were playing for the love of the game and not the out of this world salaries that today’s players earn
That's right - I couldn't have stated it any better!
Funny thing about this game it was the only stumbling block the Cowboys had (along with the 24-17 loss to the Cards in Dallas the week earlier) on their way to 12-2 and an easy SB XII win over Denver. So the Steelers who lost 34-21 to the Broncos in the playoffs still had the Cow-pokes number going 4-1 against Dallas in the 1970s.
Hard to believe that Denver could score that many points against The Steel Curtain.
Vikes gave them a scare in the week 1 overtime win for the Cowboys. I think Dorsett lost a fumble in that, his first game.
@@markgardner9460 The Vikings should have stopped the 14-0 run the Dolphins would have in game 3 of the 1972 season. You can never count on the Vikings as a sure thing especially in the Super Bowl.
@@drbonesshow1 Bob Lurtsema's roughing the passer penalty on an incompleted 3 & 10 cost them that game
The Broncos only lost one game that year not to the Cowboys and finished 12-3 after the SB loss. Once to i believe the Raiders and two losses to the Cowboys, one in the regular season.
Yes, even with 4 Steeler starters out with injury, no lack of hitting by the 2nd string.. As Ronnie Lott said in his book, "The Steelers always check your balls, because they draft big hitters". And of course this is why Tex Schramm, Don Shula, and the like whined to the league to change the rules, hampering the defenses that were beating their teams up....
Great to see this post showing historical Football as it really was.
I like to see clean, hard hits - it's how football was intended to be played. Thank you for your comments - much appreciated.
That generation of men and women were tough like their parents and grandparents.
Yes the Cowboys were Super Bowl champions that year 1977
Doomsday Defense II
Were the Cowboys ever at home vs the Steelers during this era ? I think I remember the meeting in 85 was in Dallas -:but other than that I don't remember. This game is a little like super bowl 13. It was close after half and then boom the Steelers were up 28-13, 35-17...
I'm not sure - I'd need to research that. These two teams had very exciting Super Bowls (at least the first two) and their regular season match-ups in the '70's were fun to watch, too.
Nice interception and return by Jimmy Allen, who would go to Detroit the next season and be a full-time starter.
Had 9 interceptions in '81 at the age of 29, then retired. I wonder why.
What a game! Great video.👍
These 2 teams make it easy to kick out a quality video.
Pretty sure Hollywood Henderson won the lottery some years later.Not sure if it was Texas or maybe California.
Won $28M in a TX lottery. His book "Out of Control" is something else. I think he had a follow-up book entitled "In Control"
@@markgardner9460 Funny how you mentioned Henderson's drug problem and Lawrence Taylor wore his 56 which led him down the same path, how they played so well being so high is hard to imagine.
Initially, I did not make that connection, but when I watched the video again I picked up on that. Nice catch. Henderson did some right at mid-field of the second Super Bowl against the Steelers just as half-time started, per his book "Out of Control"
Wow, that's how brazen and prevalent cocaine use was in sports in the late 70's and 80's on top of steroids, pills, alcohol and everything else, who knows what was going on before drug testing.
he had a liquid form of it in a vial stuck in one of his socks.
Ernie Fats Holmes, Steve Furnace, Dirt Winston, Tony Dungy, and the pittsburgh goal post should be in the hall of fame.
Dungy is
Best rivalry ever🤘
The Cowboys played "The Game of Their Lives" according to the game announcers. However, the superiority of The Steelers sent them home with yet another loss. What a decade.
It's always a pleasure to see the Cowboys lose.
Whether it's the 1970s or the 2020s.
- Redskins fan ...
Redskins/Cowboys rivalry was something else in the '70's!
I was 15 when Dallas entered the league in 1960 and I have hated them more than any other team the last 60 years!
They seem to be like Howard Cosell...........you either loved him or hated him........but there was no way to ignore his prominence.
@@markgardner9460 Those would be great games to recover and review with Riggins and the Hogs vs Dallas at RFK Stadium games.
@@brötzmannsax You are a true American sir!
Who would even think of calling the Cowpies "America's Team?"
My team was in Washington=the nation's capital. Hope you/family are well ...
Playing WR in the 70's was no joke!
As much as I loved watching the NFL back in this time, I was a Bert Jones fan and love the Baltimore Colts, meaning I hate it both of these teams, now in hindsight, knowing what happened to the health of Tony, Dorsett and Pearson, I wouldn’t hate if they totally outlawed this game.
The changes they made to make it safe, makes it literally in watchable. It takes all of the marketing on planet earth to get anyone to even care about it today. I never let my kids ever play the game after meeting Earl Campbell, who literally was in wheelchairs , after his career still being young.
It’s a cash 22. This game is meant to be played the way it was in the 70s and 60s. It’s too dangerous for people to actually play. And making it “safer” has turned it to crap.
17:51 I totally forgot about Mike Webster. The man committed suicide over his brain damage.
Thank you for your comments. I especially appreciated the last two sentances!
I remember this game, and I think the NFL studio's comment was the Steelers 'man-handled' Dallas.....very true.
Well they sure pounded Drew Pearson. Gotta give him credit for hanging in there
@SportsStatsNGab Yes, that's a really good point. Payback to Dallas for their years of late hits on Bradshaw. Drew didn't personally deserve it, but as a Steelers / Dolphins fan, I admire Pearson for taking the rough plays like a man, and respect Pittsburgh for sending the same message they sent to the cheap-shot raiders.
Larry Cole's cheap shot on Bradshaw in Super Bowl X knocked him out of the game and left him bloodied.
@SportsStatsNGab thank you for the historical note, I will have to look it up
It was right towards the end of the game.....on the Swann touchdown pass
Asphalt pizza burn. Sounds delicious! I bet they sell that at Jerry's World at the Roadside Pizza Cafe.
Quite the line by Tom!
Did I hear this right from Pat Summerall. Did they get Preston Pearson for $100 dollars??? Wow, crazy, insane. He was a superbowl running vack previously f or Steelers. Yes, it was greatest acquisition in Cowboys history.
Yes, that is correct! Twice Pearson lead the NFL in yards per touch - in back to back years no less, with the Cowboys
Cowboys and Steelers might be my two least favorite teams. I’m a Washington fan, so my dislike for Dallas is genetic. Many Pittsburghers or whatever you call them, relocated to the DC area and brought their stupid towels with them. Maybe with Snyder gone, we’ll convert them to being Washington fans. With that said the Cowboy and Steeler teams of the 70’s command respect. Great players, personalities and coaches. Their teams from the 90’s until present day, however, can piss off. I love your videos. Thank you!
I respect all that. I'm glad you love my videos - I've got a new one set to be released in just over one hour, so I hope that you'll check it out. Thanks for watching and commenting!
1977 Super Bowl XII winning season for the Cowboys, too bad Roger was injured for this game and didn't play his best.
Roger was a gamer - not too many QB's that were as tough as him.
If the NFL had free agency back then "Dirt" Winston would have signed elsewhere and possibly had a HOF career.
Yeah, he was only a full-time starter for a couple years with the Saints. He had a difficult time cracking that Steelers starting linebacker position. He was a solid player.
8:56 Swann is hurt!
I'm glad Dallas got a couple of losses against the Cards and Steelers, as an undefeated record is like an albatross hanging around the neck of a playoff team. In 1984 and 1985, both San Fran and Chicago got their negative karma out of their systems, and any cockiness that might have ensued by losing one game, the 49ers to Pittsburgh and Bears to the Dolphins. This slap upside the head ensured Dallas wasn't going to take anything for granted down the stretch. The Cards lost their final four games to finish 7-7, even losing to the Buccaneers and Pittsburgh's experience could not match Denver's emotion in the first round of the playoffs. The Cowboys peaked when it mattered, the pass rush that destroyed Craig Morton was unstoppable. I would love to claim 1980 as Dallas' year as the Cowboys beat Oakland in the Coliseum, but like Pittsburgh's victory here, it didn't mean a cup of spit come playoff time. Jack Lambert called 1977 the Steelers' season of distraction, referring to salary disputes and Mel Blount's lawsuit against Noll for admitting the truth that he was just a dirty as any Raider criminal element. The Steelers played and won their Super Bowl here as Miami did againt Chicago on MNF eight years later, then couldn't even beat New England in the playoffs.
New England? Do you mean the Broncos in '77?
@@markgardner9460 No I mean in 1985 Miami was good enough to beat the Bears, but not good enough to beat New Engand in the AFC Title Game. The point being that beating the Bears, however great, didn't mean much come playoff time.
@@sportshistorybuff319 OK. I gotcha. Thank you for clarifying.
I would have to disagree. The 1979 game was more fierce. Staubach was knocked out in this game. The Steeler defense had the Cowbys intimidated. Steelers 14 Cowboys 3. I watched that game, and I will never forget all of the hard-hitting. Especially the Linbacker Winston..
Well, I will have to re-visit that game, but until then, I'll stick with this one. Thank you for watching and commenting.
I won't express my disappointment in not seeing you in a serious Steelers jersey at the end of this video, consider this a requirement for future videos please.
Yes, I missed the boat! It's beyond shameful. I will do better.
@@markgardner9460 LOL, make it your signature move following your video presentation, so we can see your cool jersey collection like you been doing. Some of us have made remarks on them and would look forward to more I'm sure.
@@markgardner9460 I'm not a Steelers fan (though I'm supposed to be) but start with a Franco Harris jersey. It just seems right.
@@brötzmannsax You got it!
@@exmaj5040 I fully expected a Franco jersey at the end of this, imagine the worst timing of him passing away before the Immaculate Reception 50th Anniversary celebration, unimaginable! I'm curious why you are supposed to be a Steelers fan but aren't, were you raised in Pittsburgh?
Roy kicked like a Gorilla smh😂😂
The Landry-era Cowboys did not match up very well physically against teams like the Steelers and the Raiders.
That was the knock on them for sure. They maintained that they weren't all finesse, but.......
Jack Lambert must not have been in this game.
The Steelers had the Cowboys number….
I think the Cowboys only beat the Steelers one time in the '70's
Drew Pearson was manhandled
Bounced around like a basketball, but kept coming back for more
Idt the Cowboys ever beat the Steelers In the 70s did they? Some say the Steelers were the best all time,I disagree, those early 90s Cowboys w/ Eik Williams would have a serious size advantage & would push that D all over the field. And Norton,Haley & Deon would limit them to maybe 20pts. Just my opinion..
The Cowboys beat them 17 to 13 in Dallas during the '72 season.
Just found this channel and man is this footage awesome to watch. Keep up the great work man. Watching the football my Dad watched and described to me has enrich our already great relationship even with him gone.
That's awesome, Chris! So great to hear that! I appreciate your comments and hope to publish more highly entertaining videos.
He's the best❤
When you watch old football games it is impossible not to think of our fathers who born and raised us watching these games every Sunday. As a Giants fan, I shared the first 2 Super Bowls with my father in 1986 and 1991 and when he passed away in 1996 he saw the first two but missed the second two. My son was born in the 90's who I shared the 2007 and 2012 Super Bowls with him. So I was fortunate to live thru all 4 Super Bowl's my dad saw 2 and my son saw 2, funny how life can be.
My Dad maintained that the '50's was the best decade for the NFL. '50 Rams powerhouse offense, Browns dynasty, and at the end Johnny U. and the Colts
Giants were good in the 1950s frank Gifford and them