Super Bowl XIII

Lore & Background

Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw was named Super Bowl MVP, completing 17 of 30 passes for 318 yards and 4 touchdowns (both Super Bowl records at the time) with 1 interception. He was the first quarterback since Roger Staubach in Super Bowl VI to win the award. Bradshaw eclipsed Bart Starr's Super Bowl record for passing yards in the first half with 253 yards as the Steelers led 21–14 at intermission. His 75-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter tied Johnny Unitas in Super Bowl V for the longest pass in a Super Bowl. The Cowboys stayed close, trailing only 21–17 at the end of the third quarter, but Pittsburgh scored two touchdowns in a span of 19 seconds in the fourth period. Dallas could not overcome turnovers, drops, and a controversial penalty during the second half. The Cowboys scored two touchdowns in the final minutes but became the first defending champion to lose in the Super Bowl and the first losing Super Bowl team to score 30 points or more.

In Their Own Story

The game featured a combined 26 Hall of Famers (15 from the Steelers and 11 from the Cowboys). Pittsburgh's offense was led by Terry Bradshaw, who had the best season of his career in 1978, completing 207 of 368 passes for 2,915 yards and 28 touchdowns, winning the NFL Most Valuable Player Award. Wide receivers Lynn Swann (61 receptions, 880 yards, 11 touchdowns) and John Stallworth (41 receptions, 798 yards, 9 touchdowns) provided deep threats. Fullback Franco Harris was the team's leading rusher for the seventh consecutive season with 1,082 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Steelers' 'Steel Curtain' defense finished first in fewest points allowed (195) and second against the run (107.8 yards per game). Defensive tackles Joe Greene and L. C. Greenwood anchored the line, while Pro Bowl linebackers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert combined for 7 interceptions. Tony Dungy led the team with 6 interceptions.

Reader's Guide

Super Bowl XIII is considered one of the greatest Super Bowls because it was a high-scoring, closely contested game between two of the era's best teams. The Steelers joined the Cowboys in their attempt to be the first team to win a third Super Bowl, after wins in Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl X. Pittsburgh's success on offense was due in large measure to their stellar offensive line, anchored by future Hall of Fame center Mike Webster. The Steelers' defense had some new starters this season, including linemen John Banaszak and Steve Furness, and defensive back Tony Dungy. Rookie defensive back Larry Anderson ranked second in the NFL with 37 kickoff returns for 930 yards and a touchdown. This was the first Super Bowl held on January 21 or later, as the NFL had extended its schedule from 14 regular season games to 16 and increased the playoffs from an 8-team tournament to 10.

Did You Know?

• Super Bowl XIII was the first Super Bowl to feature a rematch of a previous one (Steelers beat Cowboys 21–17 in Super Bowl X).
• Terry Bradshaw's 4 touchdown passes and 318 passing yards were both Super Bowl records at the time.
• The Steelers scored two touchdowns in a span of 19 seconds in the fourth quarter.
• Dallas became the first defending champion to lose in the Super Bowl and the first losing Super Bowl team to score 30 points or more.
• The game featured a combined 26 Hall of Famers (15 from the Steelers and 11 from the Cowboys).