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1977 Dallas Cowboys season

NFL team season

NFL team season

FieldValue
teamDallas Cowboys
year1977
record12–2
division_place1st in NFC East
coachTom Landry
general managerTex Schramm
ownerClint Murchison, Jr.
stadiumTexas Stadium
playoffs**Won [Divisional Playoffs](1977-78-nfl-playoffs)**
(vs. [Bears](1977-chicago-bears-season)) 37–7
**Won [NFC Championship](1977-78-nfl-playoffs)**
(vs. [Vikings](1977-minnesota-vikings-season)) 23–6
**Won Super Bowl XII**
(vs. [Broncos](1977-denver-broncos-season)) 27–10
shortnavlinkCowboys seasons

(vs. Bears) 37–7 Won NFC Championship (vs. Vikings) 23–6 Won Super Bowl XII (vs. Broncos) 27–10

The 1977 Dallas Cowboys season was their 18th in the National Football League (NFL). The club appeared twice on Monday Night Football. Rookie running back Tony Dorsett rushed for 1,007 yards and became the second member of the Cowboys (first since 1973) to have a 1,000-yard rushing season. Dallas scored 345 points, which ranked first in the NFC, while its defense only gave up 212 points. Dallas finished with a 12–2 record (tied with 1968 for the best record in the Landry era). The Cowboys made it to their fourth Super Bowl and beat the Denver Broncos to capture their second Super Bowl title. They were the first team from the NFC East Division to win two Super Bowls. Their record (including the postseason) remains the highest single-season winning percentage in franchise history. The Cowboys became the 4th team in NFL history to win two Super Bowls, joining the Packers, Dolphins, and Steelers.

As in 1975, the Cowboys did not play this season on Thanksgiving, again replaced by the St. Louis Cardinals. As of 2025, this was the final season that the team did not play on the holiday.

The 1977 Cowboys ranked #17 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.

Offseason

To improve their running game, the Cowboys orchestrated a big trade with the Seattle Seahawks, moving up in the NFL draft to acquire running back Tony Dorsett, the Heisman Trophy winner from national champion [[1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football team| Pittsburgh]].

With the retirement of Lee Roy Jordan, Bob Breunig became the starting middle linebacker, Randy White was moved to defensive tackle, and Thomas Henderson became a starter at strongside linebacker, turning the defense into a dominant unit.

Draft

Main article: 1977 NFL draft

Undrafted free agents

PlayerPositionCollege
Thomas BaileyRunning backTulsa
Artie BelvinDefensive backUTEP
Larry BrinsonRunning backFlorida
Jeff ButtsTight endOregon
Bruce HutherLinebackerNew Hampshire
Richard JacobsonDefensive LineHamline
Lucien JohnsonLinebackerUTEP
Abel JoeRunning backCheyney State
Dave MeteerOffensive lineBYU
Keith PonderDefensive backNorthern Michigan
Fred RayhleTight endChattanooga

Preseason

Dallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"WeekDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"DateDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"OpponentDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"ResultDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"RecordDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"Game SiteDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"AttendanceDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"Recap123456
[San Diego Chargers](1977-san-diego-chargers-season)**W** 34–141–0Texas Stadium59,504[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1977nfldal.html)
at [Seattle Seahawks](1977-seattle-seahawks-season)**L** 17–23 (OT)1–1Kingdome58,789[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1977nfldal.html)
[Miami Dolphins](1977-miami-dolphins-season)**L** 14–201–2Texas Stadium58,620[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1977nfldal.html)
[Baltimore Colts](1977-baltimore-colts-season)**W** 23–212–2Texas Stadium54,835[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1977nfldal.html)
at [Houston Oilers](1977-houston-oilers-season)**L** 14–232–3Astrodome49,777[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1977nfldal.html)
[Pittsburgh Steelers](1977-pittsburgh-steelers-season)**W** 30–03–3Texas Stadium49,824[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1977nfldal.html)

Regular season

  • December 4, 1977 – Tony Dorsett becomes the first player in franchise history to rush for at least 200 yards in a game. Against the Philadelphia Eagles, Dorsett had 23 rushes for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns including an 84-yard touchdown run which was the longest during the 1977 NFL season.

Schedule

Dallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"WeekDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"DateDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"OpponentDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"ResultDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"RecordDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"Game SiteDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"AttendanceDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"Recap1234567891011121314
September 18at [Minnesota Vikings](1977-minnesota-vikings-season)**W** 16–10 (OT)1–0Metropolitan Stadium47,678[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197709180min.htm)
September 25**[New York Giants](1977-new-york-giants-season)****W** 41–212–0Texas Stadium64,215[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197709250dal.htm)
October 2[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1977-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)**W** 23–73–0Texas Stadium55,316[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197710020dal.htm)
October 9at **[St. Louis Cardinals](1977-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season)****W** 30–244–0Busch Memorial Stadium50,129[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197710090crd.htm)
October 16**[Washington Redskins](1977-washington-redskins-season)****W** 34–165–0Texas Stadium62,115[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197710160dal.htm)
October 23at **[Philadelphia Eagles](1977-philadelphia-eagles-season)****W** 16–106–0Veterans Stadium65,507[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197710230phi.htm)
October 30[Detroit Lions](1977-detroit-lions-season)**W** 37–07–0Texas Stadium63,160[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197710300dal.htm)
November 6at **[New York Giants](1977-new-york-giants-season)****W** 24–108–0Giants Stadium74,532[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197711060nyg.htm)
**[St. Louis Cardinals](1977-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season)****L** 17–248–1Texas Stadium64,038[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197711140dal.htm)
November 20at [Pittsburgh Steelers](1977-pittsburgh-steelers-season)**L** 13–288–2Three Rivers Stadium49,761[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197711200pit.htm)
November 27at **[Washington Redskins](1977-washington-redskins-season)****W** 14–79–2RFK Stadium55,031[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197711270was.htm)
December 4**[Philadelphia Eagles](1977-philadelphia-eagles-season)****W** 24–1410–2Texas Stadium60,289[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197712040dal.htm)
at [San Francisco 49ers](1977-san-francisco-49ers-season)**W** 42–3511–2Candlestick Park55,851[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197712120sfo.htm)
December 18[Denver Broncos](1977-denver-broncos-season)**W** 14–612–2Texas Stadium63,752[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197712180dal.htm)

:Division opponents are in bold text

Standings

Roster

Dallas Cowboys 1977 roster
**Quarterbacks**

Game summaries

Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings

First quarter

  • MIN – Chuck Foreman 18-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick) Second quarter
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 40-yard field goal Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Preston Pearson 7-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • MIN – Fred Cox 35-yard field goal Overtime
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 4-yard run (no PAT attempt) Passing
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 18/30, 196 yds, TD, lng 23, rate 90.4
  • MIN – Fran Tarkenton 13/32, 182 yds, TD, 3 INT, lng 25, rate 31.0 Rushing
  • DAL – Preston Pearson 15 att, 63 yds, lng 22
  • MIN – Chuck Foreman 22 att, 66 yds, lng 9 Receiving
  • DAL – Billy Joe DuPree 4 rec, 57 yds, lng 23
  • MIN – Chuck Foreman 5 rec, 56 yds, TD, lng 20 Defense
  • DAL - Cliff Harris 2 INT
  • DAL - Thomas Henderson 1 INT Kick returns
  • DAL - Butch Johnson 2 rt, 69 yds, 34.5 y/rt
  • DAL - Larry Brinson 1 rt, 15 yds, 15.0 y/rt
  • MIN - Brent McClanahan 2 rt, 40 yds, 20.0 y/rt
  • MIN - Robert Miller 1 rt, 12 yds, 12.0 y/rt Punt returns
  • DAL - Butch Johnson 4 rt, 28 yds, 7.0 y/rt
  • MIN - Bob Grim 3 rt, 10 yds, 3.3 y/rt Kicking
  • DAL - Efrén Herrera 1 XPM, 1 XPA, 1 FGM, 2 FGA
  • MIN - Fred Cox 1 XPM, 1 XPA, 1 FGM, 2 FGA Punting
  • DAL - Danny White 9 pnts, 352 yds, 39.1 y/pnt
  • MIN - Neil Clabo 5 pnts, 177 yds, 35.4 y/pnt

Week 2: vs. New York Giants

First quarter

  • DAL – Roger Staubach 2-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Preston Pearson 10-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick) Second quarter
  • DAL – Doug Dennison 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 11-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • NYG – Willie Spencer 1-yard run (Joe Danelo kick)
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 37-yard field goal Third quarter
  • NYG – Bobby Hammond 68-yard punt return (Joe Danelo kick)
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 41-yard field goal
  • NYG – Doug Kotar 3-yard run (Joe Danelo kick) Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 34-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick) Passing
  • NYG – Joe Pisarcik 9/23, 129 yds, 2 INT, lng 54, rate 21.8
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 18/29, 235 yds, TD, lng 4, rate 2.8

Rushing

  • NYG – Larry Csonka 9 att, 39 yds, lng 14
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 7 att, 62 yds, 2 TD, lng 6

Receiving

  • NYG – Johnny Perkins 1 rec, 54 yds, lng 14
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 6 rec, 97 yds, lng 13

Defense

  • DAL - Randy Hughes INT, 8 yds, lng 8
  • DAL - Aaron Kyle INT, 9 yds, lng 9
  • DAL - D.D. Lewis INT, 29 yds, lng 29

Kick returns

  • DAL - Larry Brinson 2 rt, 43 yds, 21.5 y/rt
  • NYG - Bobby Hammond 3 rt, 85 yds, 28.3 y/rt
  • NYG - Gordon Bell 2 rt, 48 yds, 24.0 y/rt
  • NYG - Emery Moorehead 1 rt, 24 yds, 24.0 y/rt
  • NYG - Beasley Reece 1 rt, 16 yds, 16.0 y/rt

Punt returns

  • DAL - Butch Johnson 6 rt, 61 yds, 10.2 y/rt
  • DAL - Tony Hill 1 rt, 4 yds, 4.0 y/rt
  • NYG - Bobby Hammond 3 rt, 72 yds, 24.0 y/rt, TD

Kicking

  • DAL - Efrén Herrera 5 XPM, 5 XPA, 2 FGM, 3 FGA

Punting

  • DAL - Danny White 6 pnts, 259 yds, 43.2 y/pnt
  • NYG - Dave Jennings 8 pnts, 331 yds, 41.4 y/pnt

Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First quarter

  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 32-yard field goal
  • DAL – Thomas Henderson 79-yard interception return (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 17-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick) Second quarter
  • TB – Richard Wood 37-yard fumble return (Allan Leavitt kick)
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 19-yard field goal Third quarter
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 20-yard field goal Passing
  • TB – Gary Huff 8/23, 107 yards, 2 INT, lng 30, rate 14.2
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 15/24, 212 yards, INT, lng 24, rate 73.6 Rushing
  • TB – Anthony Davis 15 att, 30 yards, lng 9
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 16 att, 73 yards, TD, lng 17 Receiving
  • TB – Morris Owens 4 rec, 57 yards, lng 24
  • DAL – Preston Pearson 5 rec, 65 yards, lng 21 Defense
  • TB - Richard Wood 1 INT, 29 yards, lng 29
  • DAL - Thomas Henderson 2 INT, 79 yards, TD Kick returns
  • TB - Isaac Hagins 5 rt, 118 yards, 23.6 y/rt
  • TB - Anthony Davis 1 rt, 19 yards, 19.0 y/rt
  • DAL - Butch Johnson 2 rt, 39 yards, 19.5 y/rt Punt returns
  • TB - Isaac Hagins 2 rt, 1 yd, 0.5 y/rt
  • TB - Danny Reece 1 rt, 3 yds, 3.0 y/rt
  • DAL - Butch Johnson 6 rt, 88 yds, 14.7 y/rt Kicking
  • DAL - Efrén Herrera 2 XPM, 2 XPA, 3 FGM, 4 FGA Punting
  • TB - Dave Green 10 pnts, 415 yds, 41.5 y/pnt
  • DAL - Danny White 5 pnts, 216 yds, 43.2 y/pnt

Week 4: at St. Louis Cardinals

First quarter

  • STL – Jim Bakken 32-yard field goal
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 29-yard field goal
  • STL – Terry Metcalf 62-yard run (Jim Bakken kick) Second quarter
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 77-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • STL – Mel Gray 60-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick)
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 40-yard field goal Third quarter
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 44-yard field goal
  • STL – Charles Davis 35-yard fumble return (Jim Bakken kick) Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Golden Richards 17-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick) Passing
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 18/29, 153 yards, TD, lng 17, rate 87.3
  • STL – Jim Hart 9/32, 186 yards, TD, 2 INT, lng 60, rate 35.7
  • STL - Terry Metcalf 1/2, 9 yards, lng 9, rate 62.5 Rushing
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 14 att, 141 yards, 2 TD, lng 77
  • STL – Terry Metcalf 10 att, 79 yards, TD, lng 32 Receiving
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 6 rec, 55 yards, lng 12
  • STL – Mel Gray 3 rec, 84 yards, TD, lng 60 Defense
  • DAL - Cliff Harris INT, 7 yards, lng 7
  • DAL - Charlie Waters INT, 3 yards, lng 3

Week 5: vs. Washington Redskins

First quarter

  • WSH – Mark Moseley 25-yard field goal
  • WSH – Mark Moseley 40-yard field goal Second quarter
  • DAL – Golden Richards 50-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 7-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • WSH – Clarence Harmon 1-yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick) Third quarter
  • WSH – Mark Moseley 53-yard field goal
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 44-yard field goal
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 52-yard field goal Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 59-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 6-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick) Passing
  • WSH – Billy Kilmer 4/15, 45 yards, INT
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 15/28, 250 yards, 2 TD Rushing
  • WSH – Mike Thomas 15 att, 46 yards
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 17 att, 71 yards, 2 TD Receiving
  • WSH – Charley Taylor 2 rec, 32 yards
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 6 rec, 157 yards, TD

Week 6: at Philadelphia Eagles

Second quarter

  • PHI – Charlie Smith 12-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Horst Muhlmann kick)
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 5-yard run (kick failed) Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Charlie Waters 17-yard punt return (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 18-yard field goal
  • PHI – Horst Muhlmann 32-yard field goal Passing
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 15/26, 172 yards
  • PHI – Ron Jaworski 10/23, 104 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 13 att, 48 yards, TD
  • PHI – Tom Sullivan 13 att, 61 yards Receiving
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 4 rec, 54 yards
  • PHI – Keith Krepfle 3 rec, 40 yards

Week 7: vs. Detroit Lions

First quarter

  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 21-yard field goal Second quarter
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 45-yard field goal
  • DAL – Billy Joe DuPree 14-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Scott Laidlaw 18-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 30-yard field goal Third quarter
  • DAL – Jay Saldi 1-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick) Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Larry Brinson 20-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick) Passing
  • DET – Joe Reed 6/16, 75 yards, INT
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 16/25, 179 yards, 3 TD Rushing
  • DET – Horace King 8 att, 26 yards
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 13 att, 48 yards Receiving
  • DET – Rick Kane 2 rec, 30 yards
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 5 rec, 48 yards

Week 8: at New York Giants

First quarter

  • DAL – Jay Saldi 8-yard fumble return (Efrén Herrera kick) Second quarter
  • NYG – Joe Danelo 51-yard field goal
  • DAL – Billy Joe DuPree 5-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick) Third quarter
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • NYG – Bobby Hammond 1-yard run (Joe Danelo kick) Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 35-yard field goal Passing
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 14/25, 190 yards, TD
  • NYG – Joe Pisarcik 6/17, 61 yards, INT Rushing
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 11 att, 41 yards
  • NYG – Larry Csonka 15 att, 47 yards Receiving
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 3 rec, 89 yards
  • NYG – Johnny Perkins 4 rec, 34 yards

Week 9: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

First quarter

  • STL – Jim Bakken 26-yard field goal Second quarter
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Billy Joe DuPree 2-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick) Third quarter
  • STL – Wayne Morris 1-yard run (Jim Bakken kick) Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 21-yard field goal
  • STL – Mel Gray 49-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick)
  • STL – Jackie Smith 3-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick) Passing
  • STL – Jim Hart 10/24, 141 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 11/20, 102 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing
  • STL – Wayne Morris 21 att, 72 yards, TD
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 12 att, 61 yards Receiving
  • STL – Mel Gray 3 rec, 76 yards, TD
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 4 rec, 45 yards

Week 10: at Pittsburgh Steelers

First quarter

  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 13-yard run (kick failed) Second quarter
  • PIT – Franco Harris 61-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)
  • DAL – Jay Saldi 23-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • PIT – Lynn Swann 9-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) Third quarter
  • PIT – John Stallworth 28-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick)
  • PIT – Franco Harris 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) Passing
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 18/26, 230 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 7/12, 106 yards, 2 TD Rushing
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 17 att, 73 yards, TD
  • PIT – Franco Harris 29 att, 179 yards, 2 TD Receiving
  • DAL – Billy Joe DuPree 3 rec, 45 yards
  • PIT – John Stallworth 4 rec, 46 yards, TD

Week 11: at Washington Redskins

Second quarter

  • WSH – Joe Theismann 1-yard run (Mark Moseley kick) Third quarter
  • DAL – Golden Richards 4-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick) Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick) Passing
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 10/24, 138 yards, TD, INT
  • WSH – Joe Theismann 17/35, 231 yards, INT Rushing
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 19 att, 64 yards, TD
  • WSH – Calvin Hill 4 att, 44 yards Receiving
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 2 rec, 79 yards
  • WSH – Frank Grant 6 rec, 89 yards

Week 12: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

First quarter

  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick) Second quarter
  • PHI – Mike Hogan 51-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Nick Mike-Mayer kick)
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 16-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick) Third quarter
  • PHI – Harold Carmichael 12-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Nick Mike-Mayer kick)
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 24-yard field goal Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 84-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick) Passing
  • PHI – Ron Jaworski 18/32, 199 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 13/26, 183 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing
  • PHI – Mike Hogan 6 att, 25 yards
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 23 att, 206 yards, 2 TD Receiving
  • PHI – Mike Hogan 3 rec, 59 yards, TD
  • DAL – Preston Pearson 3 rec, 70 yards

Week 13: at San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

  • SF – Bob Ferrell 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick) Second quarter
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Preston Pearson 36-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • SF – Kenny Harrison 10-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Ray Wersching kick)
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 20-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick) Third quarter
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 21-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • SF – Gene Washington 27-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Ray Wersching kick) Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Butch Johnson 22-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • SF – Devlin Williams 1-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Ray Wersching kick)
  • DAL – Preston Pearson 3-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • SF – Paul Seal 47-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Ray Wersching kick) Passing
  • DAL -Roger Staubach 14/19, 220 yards, 3 TD
  • SF – Jim Plunkett 15/29, 263 yards, 4 TD Rushing
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 20 att, 92 yards, TD
  • SF – Delvin Williams 17 att, 44 yards Receiving
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 4 rec, 61 yards
  • SF – Gene Washington 5 rec, 130 yards, TD

Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos

First quarter

  • DAL – Preston Pearson 22-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick) Third quarter
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 7-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DEN – Jim Turner 22-yard field goal Fourth quarter
  • DEN – Jim Turner 37-yard field goal Passing
  • DEN – Norris Weese 10/19, 94 yards
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 15/20, 160 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing
  • DEN – Norris Weese 6 att, 33 yards
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 17 att, 50 yards Receiving
  • DEN – Jack Dolbin 5 rec, 85 yards
  • DAL – Preston Pearson 6 rec, 48 yards, TD

Postseason

Main article: 1977–78 NFL playoffs

Dallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"RoundDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"DateDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"OpponentDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"ResultDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"Game SiteDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"AttendanceDallas Cowboysyear=1977border=2}}"Recap[Divisional](1977-78-nfl-playoffs-nfc-dallas-cowboys-37-chicago-bears-7)[NFC Championship](1977-78-nfl-playoffs-nfc-championship-dallas-cowboys-23-minnesota-vikings-6)Super Bowl XII
[Chicago Bears](1977-chicago-bears-season) (4)**W** 37–7Texas Stadium63,260[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197712260dal.htm)
January 1, 1978[Minnesota Vikings](1977-minnesota-vikings-season) (3)**W** 23–6Texas Stadium64,293[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197801010dal.htm)
January 15, 1978vs [Denver Broncos](1977-denver-broncos-season) (A 1)**W** 27–10Louisiana Superdome75,583[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197801150dal.htm)

NFC Divisional Playoff

First quarter

  • DAL – Doug Dennison 2-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick) Second quarter
  • DAL – Billy Joe DuPree 28-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 21-yard field goal Third quarter
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 23-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 31-yard field goal
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 7-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick) Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 27-yard field goal
  • CHI – Steve Schubert 34-yard pass from Bob Avellini (Bob Thomas kick) Passing
  • CHI – Bob Avellini 15/25, 177 yds, TD, 4 INT
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 8/13, 134 yds, TD, INT Rushing
  • CHI – Walter Payton 19 att, 60 yds
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 17 att, 85 yds, 2 TD Receiving
  • CHI – Steve Schubert 5 rec, 69 yds, TD
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 2 rec, 38 yds

NFC Championship Game

First quarter

  • DAL – Golden Richards 32-yard pass from Roger Staubach (kick failed) Second quarter
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 5-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • MIN – Fred Cox 32-yard field goal
  • MIN – Fred Cox 37-yard field goal
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 21-yard field goal Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 11-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick) Passing
  • MIN – Bob Lee 14/31, 158 yds, INT
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 12/23, 165 yds, TD, INT Rushing
  • MIN – Chuck Foreman 21 att, 59 yds
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 15 att, 81 yds, TD Receiving
  • MIN – Sammy White 3 rec, 46 yds
  • DAL – Drew Pearson 4 rec, 62 yds

Super Bowl XII

First quarter

  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 3-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 35-yard field goal Second quarter
  • DAL – Efrén Herrera 43-yard field goal Third quarter
  • DEN – Jim Turner 47-yard field goal
  • DAL – Butch Johnson 45-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efrén Herrera kick)
  • DEN – Rob Lytle 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick) Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Golden Richards 29-yard pass from Robert Newhouse (Efrén Herrera kick) Passing
  • DAL – Roger Staubach 17/25, 183 yds, TD
  • DEN – Craig Morton 4/15, 39 yds, 4 INT

Rushing

  • DAL – Tony Dorsett 15 att, 66 yds, TD
  • DEN – Rob Lytle 10 att, 35 yds, TD

Receiving

  • DAL – Billy Joe DuPree 4 rec, 66 yds
  • DEN – Jack Dolbin 2 rec, 24 yds

Season recap

With an improved offense and defense, the Cowboys finished with a 12–2 regular season record, breezing through the playoffs by beating the Chicago Bears 37–7 in the divisional round, defeating the Minnesota Vikings 23–6 in the NFC Championship Game and winning Super Bowl XII 27–10 against the Denver Broncos.

Dorsett set a franchise rookie record with 1,007 rushing yards. Defensive end Harvey Martin had one of the greatest seasons ever by an NFL player. In a 14-game season he totaled 85 tackles and an estimated league-leading 23 sacks (more than Michael Strahan's 22.5 record in 16 games), he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a consensus All-Pro selection, was a key player in the Cowboys winning Super Bowl XII, and a co-MVP of the game with Randy White.

Awards and records

  • Tony Dorsett, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award
  • Tony Dorsett, All-Pro Selection
  • Efrén Herrera, Five Field Goals Attempted in one Super Bowl game, Super Bowl record
  • Harvey Martin, Super Bowl Most Valuable Player
  • Harvey Martin, NFL Defensive Player of the Year
  • Harvey Martin, Led NFL, Sacks (23)
  • Drew Pearson, Led NFL Receiving Yards (870)
  • Drew Pearson, All-Pro Selection
  • Drew Pearson, Pro Bowl Selection
  • Roger Staubach, All-Pro Selection
  • Roger Staubach, Pro Bowl Selection
  • Roger Staubach, Led NFC, Touchdown Passes (18)
  • Roger Staubach, NFC Passing Leader
  • Randy White, Super Bowl Most Valuable Player
  • Led NFC, Points Scored (345)
  • Led NFC, Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed (1,651)
  • Led NFL, Fewest Total Yards Allowed (3,213)
  • Led NFL, Total Yards, (4,812)

Publications

  • The Football Encyclopedia
  • Total Football
  • Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes

References

References

  1. "NFL Top 100 Teams". Pro Football Reference.
  2. "100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100-1 SUPERCUT". NFL.com.
  3. (April 1, 2011). "Tony Dorsett had all the right moves and a brilliant NFL career". Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  4. "1977 NFL Draft".
  5. (1981). "The Football Handbook". Jonathan David Publishers.
Info: Wikipedia Source

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