The 1979 Dallas Cowboys season was one in which he team was unable to improve on their previous year of 12–4….by winning eleven games….and qualifying for the playoffs. The Cowboys still possessed a great offense….but suffered defensive losses as defensive tackle Jethro Pugh and safety Mark Washington retired….while safety Charlie Waters missed the season with injury….as DE Ed “Too Tall” Jones left the team to embark on a professional boxing career (Jones would return in 1980 and we have video of the tall guy in the ring)….and Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson was cut in November for erratic play and behavior.
The season began 8–2 before a three-game losing streak placed the season in jeopardy….one of the three being a 30–24 loss to Houston in which Oilers coach Bum Phillips declared the Oilers as “Texas’s Team”….but the team rallied to win their final three to finish at 11–5 and gain the number one seed in the NFC. In the season’s final regular season game against the Redskins….with the NFC East Title at issue….Roger Staubach rallied the Cowboys from a 34–21 deficit in the last four minutes to win, 35–34….which turned out to be Staubach’s last win. The Cowboys were upset at home in the divisional playoff by the Rams and Staubach retired after the season.
The 1979 Atlanta Falcons season was the Falcons’ 14th NFL season….as the Falcons were trying to improve upon their 9–7 record in 1978 and make it to the playoffs for the second time in team history….with their first appearance being the year before. Rookie fullback William Andrews rushed for 167 yards in a 40–34 overtime win over the Saints in the season opener in New Orleans. Andrews set a club record with 1,023 yards….while quarterback Steve Bartkowski became the first Falcon to surpass the 2,000-yard mark with 2,505. However, the Falcons’ defense allowed 388 points in a 6–10 start….as they finished the season at 6 – 10 and not making the playoffs.
