'76 Cowboys

[74_75_78_79_]

The year after SBX, the year before Dorsett/Big D's second and last World Championship under Tom Landry.

They didn't make it to the conference championship game. They barely lost to the Rams at home in a defensive struggle, 14-12, in the divisional round. I either forgot about it or never knew it to begin with but I see just now that they actually started 9-1 in '76 (5-0 before that)! Had they played just a little bit better against LA, I'd like to think they give MInny a better game the following week than the Rams did. I think the Vikings were the deserving representative of the NFC that year, but if Dallas does win in this NFCC-hypo, I'd also like to imagine them giving the Raiders a decent game in SBXI unlike Minny did (many here have opined the Rams giving the Raiders a good game as well).

Big D didn't play against either the Rams or Vikings during the regular season.

What are your takes on this great (SB-caliber-enough for me) but historically 'hidden' Landry Era installment? That divisional-rounder, seemingly, a hidden gem as well; would like to watch.


PS - I pointed out this factoid elsewhere...both they AND Pittsburgh, each, had just ONE Monday Night game in '76 (???)!

[JohnTurney]

The year after SBX, the year before Dorsett/Big D's second and last World Championship under Tom Landry.

They didn't make it to the conference championship game. They barely lost to the Rams at home in a defensive struggle, 14-12, in the divisional round. I either forgot about it or never knew it to begin with but I see just now that they actually started 9-1 in '76 (5-0 before that)! Had they played just a little bit better against LA, I'd like to think they give MInny a better game the following week than the Rams did. I think the Vikings were the deserving representative of the NFC that year, but if Dallas does win in this NFCC-hypo, I'd also like to imagine them giving the Raiders a decent game in SBXI unlike Minny did (many here have opined the Rams giving the Raiders a good game as well).

Big D didn't play against either the Rams or Vikings during the regular season.

What are your takes on this great (SB-caliber-enough for me) but historically 'hidden' Lanandry Era installment? That divisional-rounder, seemingly, a hidden gem as well; would like to watch.


PS - I pointed out this factoid elsewhere...both they AND Pittsburgh, each, had just ONE Monday Night game in '76 (???)!

Staubach broke his hand midseason, cost him a chance at MVP if he'd have kept his pace uo, but was likely healed by PO time

[Brian wolf]

The Rams got revenge for that 1975 blowout ... I have a limited copy of that game and the defense was outstanding. The Cowboys needed more speed in the lineup which would lead to Tony Hill with Butch Johnson joining that year.