Bradley Ruzicka

Headline: Hot start gives Green Bay Packer fans hope before late season struggles leaves team out of the playoffs.

Regular Season Record: 8 – 7 – 1 (Second Place NFC Central Division)

Offseason Highlights: Coming into the 1978 season, the Green Bay Packers had compiled five consecutive losing seasons, three of them under Head Coach and General Manager Bart Starr. According to Stanton Greene in his book, Falling Starr – Bart Starr as Head Coach of The Green Bay Packers 1975-83, “[B]y now, the veterans of the Dan Devine era had virtually all been cleared out and the wreckage of the John Hadl trade forgotten.” Only four starters from the 1977 club continued to start in 1978; Larry McCarren, Rich McGeorge, Willie Buchanon, and Johnnie Gray. The 22 starters in 1978 averaged less than 25 years of age, the first time that had happened since the mid-1960’s.

In fact, only 10 starters from the finale in 1977 found themselves still on the team in 1978. On May 2, DT Dave Pureifory was traded to the Detroit Lions for a 1978 5th round selection. In August, long time LB Fred Carr was placed on waivers following a bitter, weeklong dispute over the treatment of his injured knee. During his 10 seasons, Carr never missed a game and in his final eight never missed a start. Late in the pre-season, OT Dick Himes, also a 10 year veteran, and DE Clarence Williams, after eight seasons, were both cut. They’d been standouts for Devine during his tenure. Himes would be replaced at right tackle by Greg Koch, in only his second year. Another 1977 draft pick, OG Derrel Gofourth, replaced left guard Steve Knutson, traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a 1979 8th round draft choice on May 4. This was now truly Starr’s team.

Like the Packers, the NFL was also changing in 1978. The league expanded the regular season from a 14 to a 16 game schedule, simultaneously reducing the pre-season schedule from six to four games. Furthermore, the playoff format was expanded from eight to ten teams by adding another wild card selection from each conference. The Wild Card teams would play each other in what was now the first round of the playoffs, the Wild Card Playoffs, with the winners advancing to the second round Divisional Playoffs. However, the league continued to prohibit meetings between two teams from the same division in the Divisional Playoffs. The start of a 16 game season also marked the start of a new scheduling format that saw a division in one conference play a division in another conference, rotating every season, and repeating the process every three years. Previously, teams played random opponents in the other conference. The format remains in effect today, though it was slightly modified over the years, most recently with the addition of two divisions in 2002.

For the second consecutive year, the 1978 Packers’ draft was a highly productive one, arguably the team’s most productive during the 1970s, yielding seven future starters as well as one future Hall of Famer, the only one Starr would ever coach. Again, Green Bay had two 1st round selections, choosing WR James Lofton from Stanford University with the 6th overall selection and, with the 26th overall pick acquired from the Oakland Raiders in the 1977 trade for DT Mike McCoy, LB John Anderson from the University of Michigan. In addition to Lofton and Anderson, the Packers selected CB Estus Hood (62nd overall), LB Mike Douglass (116th overall), G Leotis Harris (144th overall), and DT Terry Jones (284th overall). Green Bay also picked up TE Paul Coffman from Kansas State University as an undrafted free agent.

James Lofton would play for 16 seasons, nine of those with Green Bay, and be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. By the time he retired in 1994, Lofton had caught 764 passes for 14,004 yards and 75 touchdowns, averaging 20 yards per catch or more in five seasons, leading the league in 1983 and 1984 with an average of 22.4 and 22.0 yards respectively. Lofton became the first player to record 14,000 yards receiving, and was the second to score a touchdown in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. During his time with the Packers, Lofton became the team’s all time leading receiver, with 9,656 yards on 530 catches (18.2 yards per catch). He was named to the Pro Bowl eight times (seven with the Packers, one with the Buffalo Bills), and was named to four All-Pro teams.

A native of Waukesha WI, John Anderson played 12 seasons in the NFL, all for Green Bay. He was selected as the Packers’ Defensive MVP three consecutive years (1983-85). When Anderson ended his career in 1990, he was Green Bay’s all-time leader in tackles (1,020), and was tied with Hall of Fame LB Ray Nitschke for the Packers’ career record in interceptions (25) by a linebacker, after appearing in 146 games, 140 of those as a starter. In addition to his 25 interceptions, Anderson totaled 167 interception return yards, with one interception returned for a touchdown, as well as 15 fumble recoveries. Anderson was named a second team player on the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, and was inducted into the Green Bay Packers’ Hall of Fame in 1996.

Mike Douglass would play eight of his nine years in the NFL with Green Bay, before ending his career with the San Diego Chargers in 1986. Douglass started 106 out of 119 games during his time with the Packers, earning the team’s Defensive MVP award in 1980 and 1981, and be inducted into the Packers’ Hall of Fame in 2003. With 967 tackles, Douglass closed his career as the club’s third all-time leading tackle. He was also a playmaker, recovering 16 fumbles and returning two for touchdowns, intercepting 10 passes, including returning one for an 80 yard touchdown, and recording 19 sacks.

Paul Coffman became the greatest pass catching tight end in Green Bay history, playing eight of his 11 NFL seasons with the Packers, after taking over as the starting tight end in 1979, when long time starter Rich McGeorge retired. Coffman was a favorite of Green Bay quarterbacks, finishing his Packers career in 1985, having started 102 out of 119 games, including all 16 games in 1979-81, 83, and 85. Coffman recorded 322 receptions for 4,223 yards (13.1 yards per catch) and 39 touchdowns before being released prior to the 1986 season. He retired after the 1988 season, having played two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (1986-87) and one season with the Minnesota Vikings (1988). Coffman was named to the Pro Bowl three times (1982-84), and was inducted into the Packers’ Hall of Fame in 1994.

In addition to Anderson, three other Packer draft choices would play their entire careers with Green Bay. Estus Hood played seven seasons, starting 33 out of 104 games, including 31 out of 32 games in 1979 and 1980, before retiring in 1985. Leotis Harris played six seasons, starting 54 out of 74 games, including all 16 games in both 1980 and 1981, before retiring after the 1983 season. Terry Jones also played seven seasons for the Packers, starting 49 out of 85 games, including all 16 games in both 1981 and 1984, before retiring prior to the 1985 season.

Besides Lofton, two selections from the 1978 NFL Draft would go on to become future Hall of Famers, including the 1st overall selection, RB Earl Campbell out of the University of Texas. Although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the first pick in the 1978 draft by virtue of 1977’s 2-12 record, they traded that pick to the Houston Oilers for TE Jimmie Giles and the Oilers’ 1st and 2nd round picks in the 1978 draft as well as their 3rd and 5th round picks in 1979. The second Hall of Famer selected was Alabama TE Ozzie Newsome, chosen by the Cleveland Browns, with the 23rd overall pick. A third 1978 future Hall of Famer, Washington University QB Warren Moon, was an undrafted free agent, signed by Houston in 1984, after playing his first six years in the Canadian Football League.

Of note, 1978 NFL rule changes significantly accelerated the trend towards increased scoring, after teams averaged only 17.2 points per game in 1977, the lowest total since 1942, effectively ending the so call “dead ball” era. One change allowed defenders to make contact with receivers only to a point of five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. This applies only to the time before the ball’s thrown, at which point any contact is pass interference. Previously, contact was allowed anywhere on the field. Other changes included allowing offensive lineman to extend their arms and open their hands during pass blocking as well as reducing the penalty for intentional grounding from a loss of down and 15 yards to a loss of down and 10 yards from the previous spot. If the passer commits the foul in his own end zone, the defense scores a safety.

Lastly, Ray Nitschke was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 1978. Nitschke played his entire 15 year career with Green Bay, and was known for his strength and toughness. Once, the bleachers on the Packers practice field collapsed on top of Nitschke. Lombardi ran over to see what had happened but, when told it had fallen on Nitschke, said, “He’ll be fine. Get back to work!” According to Nitschke’s biography, a spike was driven into his helmet, but did not injure him. The helmet (with the hole) is currently on display in the Packers’ Hall of Fame. Although Nitschke was known for his hard hitting, he was an athletic, all around linebacker.

Regular Season Highlights: For the first time since 1972, Green Bay finished with a winning record and tied the 8-7-1 Minnesota Vikings for first place in the NFC Central Division. Unfortunately for the Packers, their above .500 record did not translate into a playoff berth. Minnesota finished ahead of Green Bay for the division title based on a better head-to-head record (1-0-1), while the Packers’ 8-7-1 record left them a half game behind the 9-7 Atlanta Falcons and 9-7 Philadelphia Eagles for a Wild Card berth.

According to Lew Freedman in his book, The Packer Experience, after three dismal years, it was possible that, had the head coach been anyone other than Bart Starr, he might have been dumped after the 1977 season. A 1-3 pre-season record had Green Bay fans worried that 1978 would be just another in a long string of losing years. More concerning, third year starting left tackle Mark Koncar was lost for the season with a knee injury during the final pre-season game, to be replaced by fifth year OT Tim Stokes, acquired from the Washington Redskins on August 4 for a 1979 4th round draft pick. But, unlike the previous three years, Starr’s team bounced back in a big way, winning six of their first seven games, Green Bay’s best start since their 1966 Super Bowl season. The Packers were posting rushing, receiving, and passing statistics fans hadn’t seen in more than a decade.

At 6-1 and with a three game lead in the division, it looked like Green Bay would be 1978’s Cinderella team. Sadly, the Packers couldn’t sustain the momentum, going 2-6-1 over the remainder of the season, starting with a 21-7 road loss to Minnesota in Week 8. After eking out a 9-7 win over hapless Tampa Bay at home in Week 9, Green Bay went on a three game losing streak, including a crucial 10-3 Week 10 road loss to 4-5 Philadelphia, one that would ultimately cost the team a Wild Card berth. Yet, despite losing four out of five games, the Packers remained tied with the Vikings for the division title at 7-5 going into their Week 13 rematch at Lambeau Field.

With two minutes remaining in the game, Green Bay held a 10-3 lead on the strength of their defense, having intercepted four of QB Fran Tarkenton’s passes. However, in his last season, the 18 year veteran drove Minnesota to a touchdown and a 10-10 tie, sending the game into overtime. But the Packers couldn’t score during that extra period, with K Chester Marcol missing a 40 yard field goal in the final seconds that likely would have guaranteed them a playoff spot. Although still tied for the division lead, Minnesota now owned the tie breaker over Green Bay. Both teams split their next two games, giving Starr and his team one last chance to win the division. With a Packer victory and a Viking loss in Week 16, Green Bay would have their first title in five seasons. It was not to be. Although Minnesota upheld their end of the bargain, losing to the Oakland Raiders, the Packers were no match for the Los Angeles Rams, losing 31-14.

Minnesota had backed into a sixth consecutive division title and a playoff berth, leaving Green Bay once again on the outside looking in. During their final nine games, the Packers were outscored 158 to 77, an average of only 8.5 points per game. Injuries to two key offensive players over the course of the season, QB David Whitehurst and RB Terdell Middleton, as well as the loss of LBs John Anderson and Jim Carter late in the year on defense, took their toll. Still, 1978’s 8-7-1 record looked like nirvana after such a long drought. And this was a young, totally refurbished Packer team. Only four starters and 10 players total remained from four seasons earlier.

Starr installed Whitehurst as his starter in place of the injured Lynn Dickey and left him there all year. According to Stanton Greene, it was reported in May that Dickey was jogging, but limping. He was, at that time, still projected to rejoin the team in time for training camp. Whitehurst’s strong 1977 finish had fans anticipating a quarterback battle. But when the metal plate holding Dickey’s leg together was removed, it was clear his leg had not healed properly, leaving him with severe pain when he tried to run. As a result, Dickey would not play a down in 1978 and endured yet another round of surgery in December to have a steel rod inserted into his injured leg. By default, Whitehurst was the undisputed starter.

There was concern when Whitehurst went down with a dislocated left shoulder in the first quarter of the final pre-season game. Yet, despite the shoulder injury, as well as a sore right elbow and assorted other injuries throughout the season, Whitehurst started all 16 games, finishing with 168 completions in 328 attempts (51.2%) for 2,093 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. He joined Starr, Cecil Isbell, Tobin Rote, and John Hadl as the only Green Bay quarterbacks at the time to surpass 2,000 yards passing in a season. But, as the injuries piled up over the long regular season, Whitehurst became increasingly less effective, with only two touchdowns against 12 interceptions during the last nine games, including three in both the Packers’ critical loss to the Eagles and their season ending loss to the Rams, with his QB Rating plummeting from 83.5 to 47.2.

Starr hinted, after Green Bay’s 42-14 Week 11 home lose to the Dallas Cowboys and with Whitehurst suffering from an injury to his side, that it might do him some good to sit for at least a few series. Unfortunately, the Packers lost that luxury when backup QB Dennis Sproul injured his knee during the Dallas game and was declared out for the remainder of the season. With Sproul out, all that remained was former Chicago QB Bobby Douglass, picked up just prior to the regular season. Together, the two backups attempted only 25 passes, completing just 10 for 177 yards. Whitehurst would ultimately require surgery to repair his damaged left shoulder during the offseason. With a banged up Whitehurst struggling down the stretch, Dickey’s absence was keenly felt.

Despite injuries to his quarterbacks, Green Bay was able to effectively move the ball through the air for the first time since Starr’s retirement. A huge reason was rookie WR James Lofton, who lead all Packer receivers with 46 catches for 818 yards (17.8 yards per catch) and 6 touchdowns. Another surprise was RB Terdell Middleton who, despite only 35 carries during the entire 1977 season, produced a 1,000 yard rushing year in 1978. A 3rd round draft pick by the St. Louis Cardinals, acquired by Green Bay in a trade prior to the 1977 season, Middleton rushed for 1,116 yards on 284 attempts (3.9 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns, while also finishing third among Packer receivers with 34 catches for 332 yards and 1 touchdown, behind only Lofton and RB Barty Smith (37 catches for 256 yards). Smith was not only Green Bay’s second leading rusher, with 567 yards on 154 carries, he was the only other running back with more than 100 yards total in 1978.

Unfortunately, like his quarterback, Middleton too suffered from a myriad of injuries throughout the year, limiting his effectiveness as the season progressed. During the first half of the season, Middleton ran for 718 yards, an average of 5.0 yards per rush, with three 100+ yard games. Over the last eight games, Middleton picked up only 398 yards, averaging a scant 2.8 yards per carry, with just a single 100+ yard game. Overall, Middleton ranked 6th in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage, while his 12 touchdowns, including a 76 yard score in Week 5’s 35-14 blowout over Detroit, was good enough to rank him 4th in total touchdowns. Middleton rushed for a season high 148 yards on just 11 carries in that same game against the Lions, the best by a Packer since RB John Brockington in 1971. His 72 points led Green Bay in scoring.

Middleton, as well as teammates Lofton, DE Ezra Johnson, and DB Willie Buchanon, were selected to play in the 1978 Pro Bowl. In total, Green Bay’s offense finished 24th in rushing, 23rd in passing, and 22nd in total offense with 249 points. On defense, the Packers continued their solid 1977 performance, finishing 22th against the run, 16th against the pass, and 8th in total defense, allowing 269 points. Buchanon’s nine interceptions, four against the San Diego Chargers during a 24-3 road victory in Week 4, were good for 2nd best in the NFL, and second best in team history. Overall, the Packers intercepted a total of 27 passes, seventh best in the NFL. Johnson racked up 20.5 sacks, and the Packers’ 48 total sacks were fourth best in the league.

On special teams, Steve Odom lead the NFL in yards per kickoff return with 27.1, including a 95 yard TD return during Green Bay’s Week 7 45-28 home victory over the Seattle Seahawks. However, Chester Marcol had an uneven year, scoring just 63 points, while missing some key field goals over the course of the season, including the crucial Week 13 showdown with Minnesota. It was the first time a kicker failed to lead Green Bay in scoring since 1969. Similarly, P David Beverly averaged only 35.5 yards per kick, down from his average of 39.9 yards in 1977.

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished with the NFL’s best record at 14-2, wining the AFC Central as well as the AFC’s top playoff spot. Los Angeles and 1977 Super Bowl Champion Dallas tied for the NFL’s second best record at 12-4, winning the NFC West and the NFC East respectively. However, the Rams won the NFC’s top playoff seed over the Cowboys based on a better head-to-head record. The Vikings were the NFC’s third seed, while the NFC’s Wild Card entries were the Falcons (fourth seed) and the Eagles (fifth seed). The New England Patriots won the AFC East and were the AFC’s second seed at 11-5, while the Denver Broncos won the AFC West and were the AFC’s third seed at 10-6. The AFC’s Wild Card entries were the Miami Dolphins at 11-5 (fourth seed) and the Houston Oilers at 10-6 (fifth seed).

New England finished ahead of Miami for the AFC East Division title based on a better division record (6-2 to 5-3), while Atlanta was the NFC’s fourth seed, based on a better conference record than Philadelphia (8-4 to 6-6). This was Houston’s first playoff appearance since 1969, and their first NFL playoff appearance since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. For Atlanta, it was their first post-season appearance in franchise history, despite the fact that the Falcons scored only 240 points (15 points per game), the lowest team total for a 16 game season. Finally, Philadelphia reached the post-season for the first time in 18 years, ending the longest post-season drought in the franchise’s history, and one of the longest in the history of the NFL.

Of note, two games played during 1978 regular season added two new phrases to the NFL’s lexicon; “Holly Roller” and “Miracle at the Meadowlands”.

In Week 2, Oakland traveled south to play San Diego. With 10 seconds left in the game, the Raiders had possession of the ball at the Charger 14 yard line, trailing 20-14. Oakland QB Ken Stabler took the snap and found himself about to be sacked by San Diego LB Woodrow Lowe on the 24 yard line. Stabler fumbled the ball forward and it rolled towards the Charger goal line. Raider RB Pete Banaszak appeared to try to recover the ball on the 12 yard line, could not keep his footing, and pitched the ball with both hands even closer to the end zone. Oakland TE Dave Casper was the next player to reach the ball, but he also evidently could not get a handle on it. Casper batted and kicked the ball into the end zone, where he fell on it for the game tying touchdown as time ran out.

With the ensuing extra point by K Errol Mann, the Raiders won the game, 21-20. During the play, dubbed the “Holy Roller”, game officials ruled that Banaszak and Casper’s actions were legal because it was impossible to determine if they intentionally batted the ball forward, which would have been ruled a penalty. The NFL also supported the call that Stabler fumbled the ball instead of throwing a forward pass. However, Stabler’s fumble was deliberate. “I fumbled it on purpose,” he said after the game. “Yes, I was trying to fumble.” Banaszak and Casper later admitted that they deliberately batted the ball towards the end zone.

Week 10 found the New York Giants leading Philadelphia at home in the Meadowlands by a score of 17-12 with less than two minutes remaining. New York had possession of the football, and the Eagles had exhausted all their timeouts. Since the rule to allow quarterbacks to simply kneel down didn’t take effect until 1987, Giants’ QB Joe Pisarcik took the snap on first down, rolled on the ground, and was hit by blitzing Philadelphia linebackers. On the next play, Pisarcik handed off to RB Larry Csonka, who ran for 11 yards and another first down.

The game clock continued to run. With the time remaining approaching 30 seconds, New York Offensive Coordinator Bob Gibson decided he didn’t want to further expose his quarterback to risk of injury by being hit, as had happened on the first play. He also personally despised the kneeling play, considering it unsporting and somewhat dishonorable. As a result, Gibson called for another hand off to Csonka, who begged Pisarcik “Don’t give me the ball.” It would be the last play Gibson would call as a coach in the NFL.

At the line of scrimmage, C Jim Clack saw the play clock winding down, and took it upon himself to snap the ball with 31 seconds left in the game, to avoid a delay of game penalty, which would have stopped the clock. Pisarcik, who at the time was distracted making sure Csonka was in position, was unprepared for the snap. Nevertheless, he held on to the ball after a slight bobble and tried to hand it off to Csonka. Instead, the ball hit Csonka’s hip and came loose. Philadelphia S Herm Edwards recovered the ball on its first bounce, as Pisarcik unsuccessfully attempted to fall on it. Once Edwards got it, he sprinted 26 yards untouched into the end zone for a miraculous 19-17 Eagles victory.

Gibson was fired the next day and, as a result of the play, forever known as the “Miracle at the Meadowlands”, coaches everywhere took heed of Gibson’s fate and immediately began instructing quarterbacks to sit on the ball in similar situations.

Lastly, Pittsburgh QB Terry Bradshaw won the 1978 NFL Most Valuable Player Award. Houston RB Earl Campbell won both Offensive Player of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year. Denver LB Randy Gradishar won Defensive Player of the Year, while Detroit DE Al “Bubba” Baker won Defensive Rookie of the Year. Seattle Head Coach Jack Patera won Coach of the Year.

Post Season Highlights: In the NFC Wild Card Playoffs, the Philadelphia Eagles traveled to Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium to play the Atlanta Falcons while, in the AFC, the Miami Dolphins hosted the Houston Oilers in Miami’s Orange Bowl. The winners would advance to their respective Divisional Playoffs.

On December 24, the Atlanta Falcons won their first playoff game in team history, overcoming a 13-0 deficit, by scoring two touchdowns in the final five minutes of the game.

In the first quarter, Philadelphia recovered a fumbled punt at the Falcons 13 yard line, setting up WR Harold Carmichael’s 13 yard touchdown reception from former Los Angeles Rams’ QB Ron Jaworski, in his second season with the Eagles, and a 6-0 lead. However, K Mike Michel missed the ensuing extra point, which would later prove costly. Neither team would score again until the third quarter, when Philadelphia took advantage of another Atlanta special teams miscue, this time a dismal 17 yard punt by John James, that gave them a first down on their 40 yard line. Aided by a roughing the passer penalty and a pair of receptions by RB Charlie Smith, Jaworski led the team 60 yards to score on RB Wilbert Montgomery’s 1 yard touchdown. Michel’s extra point was partially deflected but still went through, to give the Eagles a 13-0 lead.

Later in the period, Michel had a chance to put the team up by three scores, but missed a 42 yard field goal attempt. Still, the Eagles seemed in control of the game going into the fourth quarter. With 9:52 left, they appeared to be in prime position to secure a win, when CB Bobby Howard intercepted Atlanta QB Steve Bartkowski’s pass, their fifth turnover of the day. Philadelphia then moved the ball to the Falcons’ 15 yard line but, with 8:16 to go, LB Fulton Kuykendall recovered a fumble by RB Mike Hogan on the 13 yard line. A few plays later, faced with 2nd and 10 on the 26 yard line, Bartkowski launched a deep pass to WR Wallace Francis, who was tightly covered by DB Herm Edwards.

Both players went up for the ball and came down with it, resulting in a simultaneous catch. Under NFL rules, a simultaneous catch goes to the receiver, so Atlanta kept the ball and gained 49 yards in what turned out to be a decisive play. Three plays later, Bartkowski found TE Jim Mitchell wide open in the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown pass, cutting the score to 13-7 with 4:56 remaining. The Eagles went three and out on their next possession and had to punt the ball back to the Falcons. Philadelphia committed a 15 yard facemask penalty on the play, giving Atlanta the ball on their 49 yard line.

After five plays, Atlanta had moved only 12 yards. Faced with 3rd and 10, Bartkowski went deep to Francis again for a 37 yard touchdown completion. With K Tim Mazzetti’s extra point, the Falcons took their first lead, 14-13, with 1:37 left in the game. The Eagles had one last shot to win the game, as Jaworski completed four passes to get the Eagles to Atlanta’s 16 yard line with 13 seconds remaining. But Michel missed a 33 yard field goal attempt, his second of the day, and the Falcons ran out the clock for a 14-13 victory.

Meanwhile, QB Dan Pastorini passed for 306 yards in leading the Houston Oilers to an upset victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Miami scored first after they recovered a fumbled punt at the Houston 21 yard line, setting up QB Bob Griese’s 13 yard touchdown pass to TE Andre Tillman, for a 7-0 lead. However, the Oilers responded with a 71 yard drive, capped with Pastorini’s 13 yard touchdown pass to RB Tim Wilson, to tie the score at 7-7. Neither team scored again until the fourth quarter, when Houston K Toni Fritsch made a 35 yard field goal, for a 10-7 lead. Then, LB Gregg Bingham intercepted Griese on Miami’s next drive to set up RB Earl Campbell’s 1 yard rushing touchdown, increasing the Oilers’ lead to 17-7. The Dolphins closed out the scoring when Pastorini ran out of the end zone for an intentional safety, killing the clock and sealing a 17-9 Houston victory.

In the Divisional Playoffs, the AFC Central Champion and top seed Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the AFC West Champion Denver Broncos in Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium, while NFC Wild Card winner, the Atlanta Falcons, traveled to Dallas’ Texas Stadium to play the NFC East Champion Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, the AFC East Champion New England Patriots hosted AFC Wild Card winner, the Houston Oilers, while the NFC Central Champion Minnesota Vikings traveled to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to play the NFC West Champion and top seed Los Angeles Rams. The winners would advance to their respective Conference Championship games.

On December 30, the Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the Denver Broncos, gaining 425 yards of total offense. Bradshaw completed 16 of 29 passes for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns, Stallworth had 10 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown, and Harris rushed for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns.

After Denver scored first on a 37 yard field goal by K Jim Turner for a 3-0 lead, Pittsburgh responded by driving 66 yards in 8 plays to score on RB Franco Harris’ 1 yard touchdown for a 6-3 lead, after a missed Roy Gerela extra point. It was a lead the Steelers never relinquished. On their next drive, Harris ran 18 yards for his second touchdown and a 13-3 lead. Gerela kicked a 24 yard field goal to further increase the Steeler lead to 16-3. The Broncos scored before half time on a 3 yard run by RB Dave Pearson, to cut the lead to 16-10. However, it would be their last score of the game. Gerela extended the Steeler lead to 19-10 at the half with a 27 yard field goal. Pittsburgh QB Terry Bradshaw then threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, a 45 yarder to WR John Stallworth and a 38 yarder to WR Lynn Swan, for a 33-10 final score.

Later that day, the Dallas Cowboy defense limited Atlanta Falcon QB Steve Bartkowski to only 8 completions in 23 attempts, and intercepted him three times, en route to victory.

Atlanta scored on their first four possessions of the first half, with a 14 yard rushing touchdown by RB Bubba Bean, a 17 yard touchdown pass from Bartkowski to WR Wallace Francis, and two field goals by K Tim Mazzetti of 42 and 22 yards. Dallas countered with a 13 yard touchdown run by Scott Laidlaw and two field goals from K Rafael Septien of 34 and 48 yards, to trail the Falcons 20-13 at halftime. In the third quarter, Cowboys starting QB Roger Staubach was knocked out of the game with a concussion. Backup QB Danny White then led Dallas on a 54 yard drive that ended with TE Jackie Smith’s 2 yard touchdown reception, to tie the game at 20-20. In the fourth period, after a bad Falcons’ punt enabled Dallas to get the ball at the Atlanta 30 yard line, Laidlaw scored on another 1 yard touchdown to seal a closer than expected 27-20 victory.

On December 31, QB Dan Pastorini led the Houston Oilers to a second straight upset victory, this time over the New England Patriots, by throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns, while RB Earl Campbell rushed for 118 yards and a score.

Houston jumped to a 21-0 halftime lead, as Pastorini threw a 71 yard touchdown to WR Ken Burrough, a 19 yarder to TE Mike Barber, and a second touchdown to Barber of 13 yards. After Burrough’s score gave the Oilers a 7-0 lead, the Patriots marched deep into Houston territory, but S Mike Reinfedlt intercepted a pass at the Oilers’ 1 yard line. The Oilers subsequently marched 99 yards to score on Barber’s first touchdown. Another Reinfeldt interception set up Barber’s second score. Houston added a 30 yard field goal by Toni Fritsch in the third period to extend their lead to 24-0. New England then scored two touchdowns, a 24 yard pass from RB Andy Johnson to WR Harold Jackson, and a 24 yarder from backup QB Tom Owen to TE Russ Francis, after starting QB Steve Grogan was benched, to cut the lead 24-14. However, an Owen interception by LB Gregg Bingham set up Campbell’s 2 yard rushing touchdown to close out the scoring, and give the Oilers a dominating 31-14 victory.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams dominated the second half of their Divisional Playoff game, scoring 24 unanswered points, for a win over the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings’ offense could only manage 58 yards total during the second half, in what turned out to be the last game of QB Fran Tarkenton’s career.

After Minnesota opened up the scoring with a 42 yard Rick Danmeier field goal for a 3-0 lead, Los Angeles marched 59 yards to score on QB Pat Haden’s 9 yard touchdown pass to WR Willie Miller, to take the lead 7-3. Rams’ K Frank Corral extended their lead to 10-3 on a 43 yard field goal. However, Minnesota tied the game at 10-10, six seconds before halftime, when Tarkenton threw a 1 yard touchdown to WR Ahmad Rashad. From that point on, the Rams controlled the game. After RB Cullen Bryant gave Los Angeles a 17-10 lead midway through the third period with a 3 yard touchdown, Haden threw a 27 yard touchdown to WR Ron Jessie for a 24-10 lead at the end of three quarters. The Rams added a 28 yard Corral field goal and a 3 yard run by Jim Jodat in the fourth period to decisively eliminate the Vikings, 34-10.

After contemplating retirement for several seasons, Francis Asbury Tarkenton finally ended his 18 year NFL career after the 1978 season. Tarkenton’s tenure with the Vikings spanned thirteen non-consecutive seasons, playing with the team for six seasons, 1961-66, then for seven seasons, 1972-78. In between his years in Minnesota, Tarkenton was the starting quarterback for the New York Giants. After a series of run-ins with Head Coach Norm Van Brocklin during the 1966 season, Tarkenton demanded a trade and was accommodated by new General Manager Jim Finks. He was shipped off to the Giants for two 1st round and two 2nd round picks over three years. After five years and only one winning season, New York decided to trade Tarkenton back to Minnesota in exchange for QB Norm Snead, RB Vince Clements, a 1st round pick in 1972, and a 2nd round selection in 1973.

While Tarkenton subsequently led Minnesota to six straight division titles and three Super Bowls (1973-74 and 76), the Vikings lost all three championship games decisively, outscored by a combined margin of 27-72. For his career, Tarkenton completed 3,686 of 6,467 passes (57.0%) for 47,003 yards, 342 touchdowns, 266 interceptions, and a QB Rating of 80.4, totaling 124 regular season victories, all of which were NFL records at the time of his retirement. Tarkenton also used his impressive scrambling ability to rack up 3,674 rushing yards, an NFL record for quarterbacks at the time, and 32 touchdowns on 675 carries. In 1986, the NFL bestowed its’ highest honor, admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On January 7 1979, the AFC Championship Game pitted the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Houston Oilers in Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium, while the Los Angeles Rams played the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC Championship in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

In the AFC, on a wet, slick, and slippery field, the Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the upstart Houston Oilers by forcing nine turnovers and only allowing five points.

Pittsburgh took an early 7-0 lead by driving 57 yards to score on RB Franco Harris’ 7 yard touchdown run. Then, LB Jack Ham recovered a fumble at the Houston 17 yard line, leading to RB Rocky Bleier’s 15 yard rushing touchdown, and a 14-0 lead. In the second quarter, a 19 yard field goal by Oilers K Toni Fritsch cut the score to 14-3. However, the Steelers then broke the game open by scoring 17 points during the final 48 seconds of the second quarter, to put the game out of reach.

First, Houston RB Ronnie Coleman lost a fumble and, moments later, Pittsburgh WR Lynn Swann caught a 29 yard touchdown reception from QB Terry Bradshaw, extending the Steelers lead to 21-3. Then, the Oilers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, leading to Pittsburgh WR John Stallworth’s 17 yard reception from Bradshaw, for a 28-3 lead. After Houston got the ball back, Coleman fumbled again, and Roy Gerela kicked a 37 yard field goal, to increase the Steelers lead to 31-3 at the half. Pittsburgh would score once more in the third period, on a 22 yard Gerela field goal, for a 34-3 lead. Houston would not pose a threat the rest of the game, as they turned over the ball four times in their six second half possessions, with their only score being a two point safety in the fourth quarter, when Bleier was tackled in the end zone, making the final score 34-5.

In the NFC, after a scoreless defensive struggle in the first half, the Dallas Cowboys forced five second half turnovers, leading to 28 points, and another trip to the Super Bowl.

With 9:11 left in the third quarter, Dallas S Charlie Waters intercepted a Pat Haden pass, and returned it to the Los Angeles 10 yard line. Five plays later, RB Tony Dorsett scored on a 5 yard touchdown run, to give the Cowboys a 7-0 lead. With about four minutes left in the period, Los Angeles mounted a threat when Jackie Wallace returned a punt at midfield to the Dallas 23 yard line. Three plays later, at the Dallas 14 yard line, RB Jim Jodat was stopped cold on 4th and a foot by DT Randy White and DE Larry Bethea, ending the Rams threat. As the third quarter neared a close, Waters recorded another Haden interception, returning it to the Rams’ 20 yard line. QB Roger Staubach’s 4 yard touchdown pass to RB Scott Laidlaw, 58 seconds into the final period, gave the Cowboys a 14-0 lead.

On Waters’ interception, Haden’s throwing hand hit White’s helmet, breaking his thumb and knocking him out of the game. At around the eight minute mark in the fourth period, Los Angeles backup QB Vince Ferragamo hit WR Willie Miller on a 65 yard pass to the 10 yard line. However, on 1st and goal, RB Cullen Bryant fumbled, and Cowboys DE Harvey Martin recovered at the 11 yard line. Dallas then marched 89 yards, featuring a 53 yard run on first down by Dorsett, scoring on TE Billy Joe Dupree’s 11 yard touchdown catch from Staubach, for a 21-0 lead. The Cowboys then closed out the scoring with 1:19 left in the game, when LB Thomas Henderson intercepted a Ferragamo pass and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown, and a 28-0 final score.

Thus, in a rematch of Super Bowl X, the Pittsburgh Steelers would play the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII. Both Pittsburgh and Dallas were going for the first ever third Super Bowl championship, with the Cowboys having won Super Bowls VI and XII, and the Steelers having won Super Bowls IX and X. Dallas also became the first team to appear in five Super Bowls (V, VI, X, XII, and XIII).

Super Bowl Highlights: On January 21 1979, at Miami’s Orange Bowl, the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, led by Head Coach Chuck Noll, played the NFC Champion Dallas Cowboys, led by Head Coach Tom Landry, the only Cowboys’ coach since the inception of the franchise, in Super Bowl XIII. It would be the fifth and last time the Super Bowl was played in the Orange Bowl. Although the Super Bowl had grown into America’s biggest one day sporting event by this point, many believe this 13th edition featuring Pittsburgh and Dallas began the game’s evolution to an unofficial national holiday.

Pittsburgh QB Terry Bradshaw had the best season of his career, completing 207 of 368 passes (56.3%) for 2,915 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. Bradshaw was the second highest rated passer in the league (84.8), his 28 touchdown passes led the league, and he won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award. WRs Lynn Swann and John Stallworth provided the team with a great deep threat. Swann recorded 61 receptions for 880 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Stallworth had 41 receptions for 798 yards and 9 touchdowns. TE Randy Grossman was also a big factor, recording 37 receptions for 448 yards and a touchdown. In the Steelers’ running game, RB Franco Harris was the team’s leading rusher for the seventh consecutive season, recording 1,082 yards and 8 touchdowns, while RB Rocky Bleier had 633 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.

Overall, Pittsburgh was 5th in points scored (356) but only 12th in passing yards (2,699) and 14th in rushing yards (2,297). Although Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” defense had some new starters in 1978, such as DTs John Banaszak and Steve Furness and DB Tony Dungy, they finished first in the league in points allowed (195) and second in the league against the run (1,774 yards allowed), but only 12th overall in passing yards allowed (2,394). Once again, DT Joe Greene and DE L.C. Greenwood anchored the line, while Pro Bowl LBs Jack Ham and Jack Lambert combined for 7 interceptions. Dungy lead the team with 6 interceptions, while the rest of the secondary, DBs Mel Blount, Donnie Shell, and Ron Johnson, combined for 11 interceptions.

Dallas led the league in scoring (384), finishing 3rd overall in passing and rushing yards gained (3,176 and 2,783 respectively). The defending Super Bowl champions were once again led by QB Roger Staubach. Staubach finished the season as the top rated passer in the NFL (84.9), completing 231 of 413 attempts (55.9%) for 3,190 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in 15 starts. He also rushed for 182 yards and another touchdown. WRs Drew Pearson and Tony Hill provided the deep passing threats, combining for 90 receptions, 1,537 yards, and 7 touchdowns. TE Billy Joe DuPree contributed 34 receptions for 509 yards and 9 touchdowns. RB Tony Dorsett had another fine season, recording 1,703 combined rushing and receiving yards, while scoring 9 total touchdowns.

RBs Robert Newhouse and Preston Pearson also contributed, combining for 1,326 rushing and receiving yards, while Newhouse scored 10 touchdowns. The Cowboys’ “Doomsday Defense” finished the season as the top ranked defense in the league against the run (1,721 yards), allowing only 107.6 yards per game, as well as finishing 5th in passing yards allowed (2,288) and third in points allowed (208). Pro Bowl lineman Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Harvey Martin, and Randy White anchored the line, leading the league with 58 sacks, while LBs Bob Breunig, D.D. Lewis, and Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson provided solid support. The secondary, led by S Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters, along with CBs Benny Barnes and Aaron Kyle, combined for 16 interceptions.

On their opening drive, Dallas advanced to the Pittsburgh 38 yard line, with Tony Dorsett gaining 38 yards off three running plays. But the Cowboys lost the ball on a fumbled handoff while attempting to fool the Steelers defense with a reverse pass play. Drew Pearson later explained “We practiced that play for three weeks. It is designed for me to hit Billy Joe [Dupree] 15 to 17 yards downfield. We practiced the play so much it was unbelievable we could fumble it. I expected the handoff a bit lower, but I should have had it. Billy Joe was in the process of breaking into the clear when the fumble occurred.” After Pittsburgh’s John Banaszak recovered the loose ball on the Steeler 47 yard line, Pittsburgh attempted two running plays, gaining only 1 yard. Then, on 3rd and 9, John Stallworth caught a 12 yard pass from Terry Bradshaw to the Cowboys’ 40 yard line.

After throwing an incomplete pass, Bradshaw completed two consecutive passes, the second one a 28 yard touchdown completion to Stallworth, to take a 7-0 lead. On their next drive, the Cowboys responded by advancing to the Steelers 39 yard line, but were pushed back to their own 39 yard line after Roger Staubach was sacked twice, and they were forced to punt. On the Steelers’ ensuing drive, Bradshaw threw a 22 yard pass to Franco Harris, and followed it up with a 13 yard pass to Lynn Swann, to move the ball to the Dallas 30 yard line. But, on the next play, the Cowboys’ D.D. Lewis ended the drive by intercepting a Bradshaw pass intended for Stallworth. Then, with a little more than a minute to go in the period, Bradshaw fumbled the ball while being sacked by the Cowboys’ Harvey Martin, and Dallas recovered it.

Staubach capitalized on Bradshaw’s mistake three plays later, with a 39 yard scoring strike to Tony Hill, tying the game at 7-7 as the first quarter expired. Hill beat Donnie Shell in single coverage and scored the only first quarter touchdown surrendered by Pittsburgh all season. The Steelers took possession at the start of the second quarter, and advanced to their own 48 yard line. On the next play, Dallas’ Mike Hegman and Thomas Henderson went after Bradshaw on a blitz. After taking the snap, Bradshaw collided with Harris and the ball popped loose. Bradshaw scooped it up and rolled to his right, looking to pass, but Henderson wrapped him up before he could throw, while Hegman ripped the ball out of his hands, and returned the fumble 37 yards for a touchdown, giving the Cowboys a 14-7 lead.

The Steelers had now turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions. However, on the third play of Pittsburgh’s next possession, Stallworth caught a pass from Bradshaw at the Steelers 35 yard line. He then broke a tackle, waited for Swann and blockers to cross in front of him, turned toward the inside, and outraced every other defender to the end zone, turning a simple 10 yard pass into a 75 yard touchdown completion, to tie the score, 14-14. Bradshaw later explained that Stallworth was not even the primary receiver on the play: “I was going to Lynn Swann on the post,” he said, “but the Cowboys covered Swann and left Stallworth open. I laid the ball out there and it should have gone for about 15 yards, but Stallworth broke the tackle and went all the way.” The score tied the record for the longest scoring play in Super Bowl history.

Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” defense then dominated Dallas’ offense on their ensuing drive. First, Banaszak tackled Robert Newhouse for 4 yard loss. Next, Jack Ham tackled Dorsett for a 3 yard loss on an attempted sweep. On third down, Joe Greene sacked Staubach, forcing a fumble that bounced through the hands of the Steelers’ Steve Furness and into the hands of Cowboys’ C Tom Rafferty at the Dallas 13 yard line. After a Cowboy punt, the Steelers began their next drive with Bradshaw’s 26 yard completion to Swann. Ed Jones tackled Harris for an 8 yard loss on the next play, but a subsequent holding penalty gave Pittsburgh a 1st and 10 at the Dallas 25 yard line. However, after an incomplete pass and a 2 yard run by Harris, Hegman sacked Bradshaw for an 11 yard loss on 3rd and 8, pushing the ball back to Dallas’ 34 yard line. The Steelers subsequently came up empty, after K Roy Gerela’s 51 yard field goal attempt hit the crossbar.

With less than two minutes remaining in the half, Dallas advanced to the Pittsburgh 32 yard line, after starting on their own 34 yard line. But Mel Blount intercepted a Staubach pass, returning it 13 yards, giving the Steelers the ball at their own 44 yard line after a 15 yard Dallas penalty. Bradshaw subsequently completed two passes to Swann for gains of 29 and 21 yards, moving the ball to Dallas’ 16 yard line with 40 seconds left in the half. Next, Harris ran the ball to the 7 yard line. Then, with just 26 seconds left, Bradshaw completed a 7 yard touchdown pass to Rocky Bleier, who had to leap into the air and fully extend himself to bring in Bradshaw’s high throw, giving the Steelers a 21-14 lead at halftime.

The torrid scoring pace slowed during much of the third quarter, as both teams began to assert themselves on defense. But, late in the quarter, a 12 yard punt return by the Cowboys’ Butch Johnson gave Dallas good field position on their 42 yard line. The Cowboys subsequently drove down to the Steelers’ 10 yard line, mostly on Dorsett’s running. On third down, with less than three minutes remaining in the period, Staubach spotted 38 year old reserve TE Jackie Smith wide open in the end zone and threw him the ball. Coach Tom Landry said Staubach tried to throw the ball soft when he saw how wide open Smith was, that it came in low, and, when Smith tried to stop his feet, they seemed to come out from under him. Smith states it was still a catchable ball and that he should have made the play.

Instead, Smith dropped the pass, and the Cowboys had to settle for a Rafael Septien field goal, cutting their deficit to 21-17. Though Smith played 16 years in the league and is now enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is perhaps best known for his embarrassing blunder on the sport’s biggest stage.

Early in the fourth period, two controversial penalties paved the way for the Steelers to score 14 unanswered points and take control of the game. First, the Steelers advanced to their own 44 yard line after a crucial third down pass from Bradshaw to Randy Grossman, a 13 yard pass to Swann, and a 5 yard run by Harris. Bradshaw then attempted a pass to Swann, but the receiver collided with the Cowboys’ Benny Barnes and fell to the ground as the ball rolled incomplete. However, Barnes was called for pass interference. Replays showed that it could have been incidental contact as Swann seemed to run into Barnes. In any case, the penalty gave Pittsburgh a first down at Dallas’ 23 yard line.

Two plays later, the Steelers faced 3rd and 4 from the Dallas 17 yard line. Henderson sacked Bradshaw for a 12 yard loss, but the play was nullified by a delay of game penalty on Pittsburgh, bringing up 3rd and 9 instead of a fourth down. Replays clearly showed the whistle blew before the play began, but Henderson claimed, “I didn’t hear a whistle until after I had knocked Bradshaw down.” On the next play, Bradshaw handed the ball off to Harris who raced untouched, with help from the Umpire Art Demmas impeding the Cowboys’ Charlie Waters attempt to tackle him, for a 22 yard touchdown run. The next day, Waters was quoted as saying, “I don’t know what I could do – maybe knock him [Umpire Demmas] flat and maybe he’d knock Franco flat? Our safeties play a vital role in the run. That official gets in the way a lot. He screened me off.”

On the ensuing kickoff, video shows that Gerela slipped when trying to plant his foot, causing him to squib the ball, which bounced to the Cowboys’ Randy White at the 24 yard line. White, who was playing the game with a cast on his broken left hand, fumbled the ball, and Pittsburgh LB Dennis Winston recovered it at the Dallas 18 yard line. Remarkably, Winston wasn’t even in the middle of the scrum when the fumble first occurred, he was standing by several teammates and decided to join the battle for the ball before referees intervened. On the next play, Bradshaw threw an 18 yard touchdown pass to Swann, who made a circus catch in the end zone, increasing the Steelers’ lead to 35-17 with less than seven minutes left in the game. The touchdown was Bradshaw’s last pass of the game.

Some of the Steelers were already celebrating victory on the sidelines, but the Cowboys refused to give up. On their next drive, Dallas drove 89 yards in 8 plays, including an 18 yard scramble by Staubach on 3rd and 11 and a 29 yard run by Dorsett, to score on Staubach’s 7 yard touchdown pass to DuPree, narrowing the Pittsburgh lead to 35-24. Then, after Dallas’ Dennis Thurman recovered an onside kick with 2:19 remaining, Drew Pearson caught two passes for gains of 22 and 25 yards, as the Cowboys drove 52 yards in 9 plays to score on Staubach’s 4 yard touchdown pass to Butch Johnson, further cutting the Steelers’ lead to 35-31 with just 0:22 left in the game. However, the Cowboys’ second onside kick attempt was recovered by the Steelers’ Bleier, and Pittsburgh ran out the clock, becoming the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls, 35-31.

Terry Bradshaw was named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, completing 17 of 30 attempts for 318 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception. WR Lynn Swann was the leading receiver in the game, with 7 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. WR John Stallworth recorded 115 yards and 2 touchdowns off just 3 receptions. Stallworth and Swann became the first pair of teammates to each have 100 yards receiving in a Super Bowl, and first time two receivers did it in the same game.

Super Bowl XIII had matched Super Bowl X as the best in NFL history. It would also be known as one of the greatest collections of NFL talent ever assembled for a game. In addition to Chuck Noll and Tom Landry, 14 players would end up being voted into the Hall of Fame, including nine Pittsburgh players; Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Mike Webster, Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, and Mel Blount, as well as five Dallas players; Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Randy White, Rayfield Wright, and Jackie Smith.

Conclusion: Although Green Bay failed to make the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season, 1978’s near miss gave Packer fans a reason for hope. Yet, the question remained, was this season a flash in the pan or would it be the start of something big? Was the huge disparity between the first and second halves of the season the result of a combination of youth and an accumulation of injuries over a long 16 game season, or were there more systemic issues that would resurface during upcoming campaigns?

On the one hand, Green Bay’s 6-1 start was their best in over 10 years, and the team’s eight wins doubled that of the previous season. On the other hand, according to Stanton Greene, “The six wins had included a pair over hapless Detroit, one over a Chicago team that was heading into freefall, a San Diego franchise in disarray, [7-9] New Orleans, and the third year expansion team Seattle.” During their 2-6-1 finish, Green Bay played six games against playoff opponents, losing five, four by double digits, salvaging only a tie against Minnesota. Only time would tell if the Packers had truly turned the corner.

To end this post, I’ve attached the NFL Films Super Bowl XIII Highlight video, narrated once again by the great John Facenda. Also included is a video clip showing the famous “Holly Roller” play described earlier in the post.

Enjoy!

As always, your feedback is appreciated!