Super Bowl XIII (vs Dallas Cowboys)

Lore & Background

This was the first Super Bowl that featured a rematch of a previous one (the Steelers had previously beaten the Cowboys, 21–17, in Super Bowl X), and both teams were attempting to be the first club to win a third Super Bowl. Dallas was also the defending Super Bowl XII champion, and finished the 1978 regular season with a 12–4 record. Pittsburgh entered the game after posting a 14–2 regular season record. Super Bowl XIII is also the only Super Bowl to date that featured two teams (and quarterbacks) that had previously won two Super Bowls in the same decade. As of the 2025 season, it remains the only Super Bowl rematch to be played in the same stadium as a prior matchup. Because it was a high-scoring, closely contested game between two of the era's best teams, Super Bowl XIII has been considered one of the greatest Super Bowls. The game featured a combined 26 Hall of Famers (15 from the Steelers and 11 from the Cowboys).

In Their Own Story

The humid Miami air hung heavy over the Orange Bowl, thick with the tension of two titans colliding. Terry Bradshaw wiped sweat from his brow inside his helmet, the roar of the crowd sounding like distant thunder. He looked across the line at Roger Staubach and felt a familiar calm settle in. The score was tight, the clock ticking down, and the world held its breath. The pocket collapsed around him as Dallas linemen surged forward, but Bradshaw stepped up, eyes scanning until he locked onto Lynn Swann breaking free near the sideline. With a surge of adrenaline, Bradshaw unleashed a perfect spiral that cut through the humid air. Swann leaped, extending his arms, and the ball nestled into his hands just as a Cowboys defender crashed into him. The referee's arms shot up. Touchdown. The roar from the Pittsburgh faithful was deafening, sealing a victory that would echo through history.

Reader's Guide

Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw was named Super Bowl MVP for completing 17 of 30 passes for 318 yards and 4 touchdowns with 1 interception. He was the first quarterback since 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. His 75-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter also tied Johnny Unitas in Super Bowl V for the longest pass in a Super Bowl. The Cowboys were able to stay close, only trailing 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 also could not overcome turnovers, drops, and a controversial penalty during the second half. The Cowboys were able to score two touchdowns in the final minutes of the game, but still ended up being the first defending champion to lose in the Super Bowl and the first losing Super Bowl team to score 30 points or more.

Did You Know?

• The game was played on January 21, 1979, at the Miami Orange Bowl, the fifth and last time that the Super Bowl was played in that stadium.
• This was the first Super Bowl held on January 21 or later.
• The NFL awarded Super Bowl XIII to Miami on June 14, 1977, at the owners' meetings held in New York City.
• A total of eight cities submitted bids: Miami, Pasadena (Rose Bowl), Los Angeles (Coliseum), Houston (Astrodome), New Orleans, Dallas (Cotton Bowl), Seattle (Kingdome), and Detroit (Pontiac Silverdome).

Historical Context and Significance

This championship matchup holds a unique place in NFL history as the first Super Bowl to feature a direct rematch between previous finalists. Both Pittsburgh and Dallas entered the contest aiming to become the inaugural franchise to secure three league titles. The quarterback situation was equally unprecedented, marking the only time two teams fielded signal-callers who had already won two championships within the same decade. Furthermore, this contest remains singular as of 2025 because it is the only instance where a Super Bowl rematch occurred within the same stadium used for their prior meeting. The stakes were incredibly high, with Dallas defending their title from the previous year while Pittsburgh sought to cement their dynasty status against a formidable opponent coming off a twelve-win regular season campaign.

Bradshaw's MVP Performance

Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw delivered a historic performance that earned him the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honors. He completed seventeen of thirty attempts for three hundred eighteen yards and four touchdowns, establishing new records for passing yardage and scores at the time. His efficiency was notable despite throwing one interception, making him the first signal-caller since Staubach in Super Bowl VI to claim the award. Bradshaw dominated early, surpassing Bart Starr’s record for passing yards in a single half by accumulating two hundred fifty-three yards before intermission. He also connected on a seventy-five-yard touchdown pass that tied Johnny Unitas’ mark for the longest strike in Super Bowl history. This game capped off an exceptional regular season where he led the league with twenty-eight touchdown passes and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, proving his status as the league's premier passer during this era of dominance.

Game Flow and Drama

The contest unfolded as a high-scoring thriller that is frequently cited among the greatest games in franchise history. Pittsburgh held a twenty-one to fourteen lead at halftime and maintained a narrow advantage through three quarters, trailing only slightly before a decisive surge occurred late in the fourth period. In a span of just nineteen seconds, the Steelers scored two touchdowns to create separation, capitalizing on Dallas mistakes including turnovers and drops. Despite these setbacks, the Cowboys managed to score twice in the final minutes, ensuring they became the first losing team to reach thirty points in a championship game. Ultimately, Pittsburgh secured the victory with a final score of thirty-five to thirty-one. This result marked a historic shift, as Dallas became the first defending champion to fall short on this stage, while the intensity and offensive output solidified the event's reputation for being tightly contested between two elite squads.

Venue Selection and Legacy

The Miami Orange Bowl served as the venue for this championship, marking its fifth and final appearance as a Super Bowl host. This event also coincided with major league structural changes; it was the first championship played on January twenty-first or later following an expanded regular season schedule. The NFL had increased games from fourteen to sixteen and added wild card teams to the playoffs. Beyond logistics, the game showcased incredible talent density, featuring a combined total of twenty-six Hall of Famers on both rosters. Fifteen Steelers and eleven Cowboys inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame participated, underscoring why this matchup is remembered as a definitive clash between two of the era's most decorated teams.