From James Alder,
Your Guide to Football.
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Pittsburgh Steelers 35
Dallas Cowboys 31

Super Bowl XIII was a rematch of Super Bowl X between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. This time they were facing off in front of 79,484 in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida.

Both teams featured strong defenses and although Dallas had started the season slowly, they were on an eight-game winning streak going into the Super Bowl, including a 27-20 decision over Atlanta and a 28-0 shut out of the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game. The Steelers had just two losses during the regular season and they beat Denver, 33-10, in the divisional playoff and the Houston Oilers, 34-5, in the AFC title game.

Dallas won the coin toss and took the opening drive down to the Pittsburgh 34 before wide receiver Drew Pearson fumbled a handoff from Tony Dorsett on a double reverse. John Banaszak recovered the ball for the Steelers on their 47 yard line. Seven plays later, Terry Bradshaw hit John Stallworth with a 28-yard touchdown pass to give the Steelers a 7-0 lead.

The Cowboys picked up their first score as time was running out in the first quarter. After Bradshaw was forced into a fumble by Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Roger Staubach fired the ball to Tony Hill who tiptoed down the sideline for a 39-yard touchdown.

Three minutes into the second quarter, Bradshaw was stripped by Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson and linebacker Mike Hegman picked up the football and ran it in for the touchdown. The Steelers came right back to tie the game when John Stallworth broke loose on a short pass and took it 75 yards for the score.

The Cowboys appeared to be on their way to another score late in the second quarter before Mel Blount stepped in front of a Staubach pass and returned it to the Dallas 29. Several plays later, Bradshaw hit Rocky Bleier for seven yards and a touchdown. At the half Pittsburgh was up 21-14.

Late in the third quarter, the Cowboys were threatening to score again when tight end Jackie Smith dropped a wide open pass in the endzone. Dallas was forced to settle for a field goal that pulled them to within four points.

On their next possession, Pittsburgh was the beneficiary of a controversial pass interference call that set up a 22-yard burst by Franco Harris that gave the Steelers a 28-17 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Roy Gerela shanked the ball and it ended up in the hands of defensive lineman Randy White. White fumbled the ball when he was hit by Tony Dungy. Dennis "Dirt" Winston recovered for the Steelers on the Dallas 18 and on the next play Bradshaw hit Lynn Swann in the endzone for a 35-17 lead.

Dallas made a valiant comeback effort, scoring twice in the last 2:30 to cut the lead to 35-31, but their onside kick with 22 seconds left was unsuccessful and the Steelers held on to win the Super Bowl championship.

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