The 1979 Season
Record: 11-5
NFC Eastern Division Champion
Synopsis:
- Whereas there were few changes in the 1978 off-season, they were plenty to
begin this season. The defense was the target of most of the changes. Jethro
Pugh and Ed "Too Tall" Jones both retired. On top of that, Charlie Waters was
lost to injury for the season. The draft did bring in some new blood. Future offensive
starters Doug Cosbie and Ron Springs were selected.
- The Cowboys began the season like the changes had no affect and they were poised
to return to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys began the season with a 7-1 record, but
then the sky began falling. The Cowboys lost 4 out of the next 5 that began with
another loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dallas won the next two games before
meeting the Washington Redskins for the NFC East title With the Cowboys trailing
34-21 late in the fourth quarter, Roger Staubach led the Cowboys on two touchdown
drives to secure the victory and the NFC East title. It would be his last regular
season game and his last come from behind miracle. Dallas did not suffer much
on offense by scoring 371 points, with Staubach leading the NFC in passing. The
defense, however, was a different story. The injuries and retirements took their
toll and the defense allowed 313 points. This was 105 points more than the previous
season and was a point of concern entering the playoffs.
- The 1979 playoffs for the Cowboys were a short one. They played the Los Angeles
Rams at home. Dallas trailed at half-time 14-5, but took the lead in the fourth
quarter 19-14. The injury to Charlie Waters in the preseason may have sealed the
Cowboy's fate and the secondary allowed a 50-yard touchdown late in the fourth
quarter to lose 21-19.
- Despite this early exit, the 1970s were an unqualified success for the Cowboys.
The finished the decade with ten winning seasons. They had a 105-39 record in the
regular season and a 12-4 record in the playoffs. The Cowboys made the playoffs
in 9 of the 10 years, winning 2 Super Bowls and making 3 other appearances. The
Cowboys also finished with the decade with 7 NFC Eastern Division Championships.
No other team in the NFL could match the numbers.
Notables:
- Roger Staubach is NFC Passing Champion
| Preseason |
|---|
| Week | Date | Opponent | W/L | Score |
|---|
| - | July 28 | Oakland @Canton, OH | L | 13-20 |
| - | Aug 4 | Denver | W | 07-06 |
| - | Aug 12 | at Seattle | L | 17-27 |
| - | Aug 18 | Houston | W | 16-13 |
| - | Aug 25 | Pittsburgh | W | 16-14 |
Regular Season
|
|---|
| Week | Date | Opponent | W/L | Score |
|---|
| 1 | Sept 2 | at St. Louis | W | 22-21 |
| 2 | Sept 9 | at San Francisco | W | 21-13 |
| 3 | Sept 16 | Chicago | W | 24-20 |
| 4 | Sept 24 (Mon) | at Cleveland | L | 07-26 |
| 5 | Sept 30 | Cincinnati | W | 38-13 |
| 6 | Oct 7 | at Minnesota | W | 36-20 |
| 7 | Oct 14 | Los Angeles | W | 30-06 |
| 8 | Oct 21 | St. Louis | W | 22-13 |
| 9 | Oct 28 | at Pittsburgh | L | 03-14 |
| 10 | Nov 4 | at NY Giants | W | 16-14 |
| 11 | Nov 12 (Mon) | Philadelphia | L | 21-31 |
| 12 | Nov 18 | at Washington | L | 20-34 |
| 13 | Nov 22 (Thurs) | Houston | L | 24-30 |
| 14 | Dec 2 | NY Giants | W | 28-07 |
| 15 | Dec 8 (Sat) | at Philadelphia | W | 24-17 |
| 16 | Dec 16 | Washington | W | 35-34 |
Playoffs
|
|---|
| Week | Date | Opponent | W/L | Score |
|---|
| Div | Dec 30 | Los Angeles | L | 19-21 |
Last Updated: August 10, 2000
jrbeasley@email.msn.com