The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys had one of the strongest rivalries in the 1970s. Many now refer to their matchups as the "Battle of the Teams of the '70s." The Steelers went on to win four Super Bowls during this decade, led by quarterback Terry Bradshaw and their formidable Steel Curtain defense.
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Roger Staubach looks for room to run in Super Bowl XIII on Jan. 21, 1979.
The two teams' first playoff meeting occurred in Super Bowl X in 1975. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys 21-7 after safety Glen Edwards intercepted quarterback Roger Staubach in the end zone. The Cowboys won Super Bowl XII, but faced the Steelers again in another significant matchup, Super Bowl XIII. Many believe this game was the greatest Super Bowl ever played, featuring 20 future Hall of Fame players and coaches. Pittsburgh emerged victorious, defeating Dallas 35-31.
In 1979, the Steelers defeated the Cowboys 14-3 in the regular season. Many football fans saw this as a potential Super Bowl preview, but Dallas was upset in the playoffs, and the Steelers went on to win the Super Bowl that year. In the '70s, the Cowboys won two Super Bowls, while the Steelers won four as mentioned, settling the debate about the team of the decade.
In the iconic book Facing the Pittsburgh Steelers: Players Recall the Glory Years of the Black and Gold, Staubach shared his thoughts about playing Pittsburgh in the '70s. He recounted a funny story about Bradshaw hugging him after a game when he didn't want to be hugged.
“I remember [Terry] Bradshaw coming over and giving me a hug after the game, and I was thinking, ‘My God, I don't want a hug?’ I mean, I am not a sore loser, I think, but I don't like to lose. That became a picture they show a lot in the highlights, and I still don't like seeing that. But we respected them. They respected us. We threw some words back and forth in those days, maybe more before the 1975 Super Bowl, but I think our respect grew over time. I didn't like the mouthing off that took place, but it just happened.”
Staubach admitted that the Cowboys respected the Steelers, but the high-stakes battles between the two teams often brought out the best in both sides. Staubach, who was on the losing end of two Super Bowls to Pittsburgh, believes the Cowboys were simply unlucky to face the Steelers' dynasty.
“Our 1978 team was one of our best teams, and we were healthy. We were really good. Unfortunately, they were just a little bit better than us. I would not say they were much better than us, but they won. I hate losing two Super Bowls, but I really feel like I lost to one of the greatest teams of all-time.”
Staubach detailed what he believes made Pittsburgh one of the greatest NFL teams of all-time.
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Steelers' Terry Bradshaw faced the Cowboys twice in the Super Bowl.
“But it was just that we let them have too many chances, getting 35 points. Offensively, we were playing against one of the best defenses of all-time. They were just a really great team. I think that those Steelers teams that played in that era, winning those four Super Bowls, they were the greatest team that ever played in the NFL. Look at both sides of the ball, with Franco [Harris], Bradshaw, the receivers they had, [Lynn] Swann and [John] Stallworth, the offensive line. And then the defense.”
There’s no doubt that if the Steelers' dynasty hadn't emerged in the '70s, the Cowboys might have two more Super Bowl titles. Staubach can’t help but admire the greatness of those Pittsburgh teams he faced.
“I mean, the games we lost, they were tough losses for us. But for them, both sides of the ball, they just really brought it all together, both sides of the ball, great coaching as well. I would rank them up there with the best in NFL history, and we just happened to run into them at that time. We were a great team too, but that second loss to the Steelers sort of cost us the Team of the '70s title. They won the four Super Bowls in that decade. Still, we played pretty well against one of the best teams of all-time.”
Steelers' Dynasty In The '70s Remains One Of The Greatest Ever
The Steelers were a powerhouse in the 1970s, boasting an all-star roster and an iconic coach. At the helm was Bradshaw, who masterfully led the team. The offense was a formidable force with running back Franco Harris and wide receivers John Stallworth and Lynn Swann, each capable of game-changing plays.
On defense, the Steelers were equally impressive, featuring legends like Jack Lambert and "Mean" Joe Greene, along with a multitude of other future Hall of Famers. This era was defined by the strategic brilliance of Chuck Noll, one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, who orchestrated their success.
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Steelers' Jack Lambert scowls on the sideline.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, were a well-built team that came tantalizingly close to dethroning the Steelers, nearly snatching two Super Bowl victories from them. The 1970s was a period in the NFL when these two dominant teams from each conference consistently vied for the championship, creating a Super Bowl atmosphere that was electric every season.
The matchups between the Steelers and the Cowboys became instant classics, delivering countless cherished memories for Steelers fans and cementing both teams' legacies in NFL history.
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