Thoughts on Super Bowl XII (Dal 27 Den 10)

[74_75_78_79_]

In lieu of Red Miller's passing, and the '77 Broncos being the first thing that I and I'm sure most think of when thinking of him, thought I bring up this here first Super Bowl in a dome. I wasn't following at the time but for those in here who were, did most of you anticipate a better game than what actually turned out to be? Anyone actually think that Denver would win despite Dallas being the obviously more big-game-seasoned team? Was anyone really into the Stabauch/Morton pre-game storyline? Or would all of you non-Bronco-fans rather have seen a Raiders/Cowboys Bowl instead? With Denver only behind by 10 going into the forth, do any of you still see a lot of good in this, otherwise, historically 'ugly' game? A lot of hard-hitting and turnovers to be had. Lyle and the Crush apparently played their hearts out. Perhaps a not-close-on-the-scoreboard version of the also-'ugly' Cowboys/Colts seven years prior (SBV)?

[L.C. Greenwood]

In lieu of Red Miller's passing, and the '77 Broncos being the first thing that I and I'm sure most think of when thinking of him, thought I bring up this here first Super Bowl in a dome. I wasn't following at the time but for those in here who were, did most of you anticipate a better game than what actually turned out to be? Anyone actually think that Denver would win despite Dallas being the obviously more big-game-seasoned team? Was anyone really into the Stabauch/Morton pre-game storyline? Or would all of you non-Bronco-fans rather have seen a Raiders/Cowboys Bowl instead? With Denver only behind by 10 going into the forth, do any of you still see a lot of good in this, otherwise, historically 'ugly' game? A lot of hard-hitting and turnovers to be had. Lyle and the Crush apparently played their hearts out. Perhaps a not-close-on-the-scoreboard version of the also-'ugly' Cowboys/Colts seven years prior (SBV)?

Yes, a Cowboys-Raiders SB would have been far better. The difference between Staubach and Morton was on full display in this game, the Broncos simply didn't have the firepower to compete with Dallas.
Even though Denver was somehow only down by 10 going into the fourth, I recall thinking it felt like 20, Denver just wasn't going to come back.

[Shipley]

Denver was lucky to even be there thanks to a terrible call when Rob Lytle clearly lost the ball on a fumble before crossing the goal line for a pivotal touchdown in the AFC championship. The Raiders were hosed on that one.

[JohnH19]

Going in, I hoped that Denver would play a clean game and the defense could keep it close. Like most of the first dozen SBs, it was a terrible game that never felt close.

[Retro Rider]

Denver was lucky to even be there thanks to a terrible call when Rob Lytle clearly lost the ball on a fumble before crossing the goal line for a pivotal touchdown in the AFC championship. The Raiders were hosed on that one.

One of the worst calls in NFL playoff history for sure. However the Broncos were also hosed in the 3rd quarter when Jack Dolbin caught a Craig Morton pass and ran in for a touchdown. The officials said Dolbin trapped the ball but replays showed that it was a clean catch. Denver got nothing out of the drive and had to punt the ball away. Next to nothing was said about it following the game. Only a small blurp in Sports Illustrated the following week (from a fan) gave it mention.

Dolbin 1-1-78 Catch.jpg (161.04 KiB) Viewed 16059 times

Howard Cosell picked Denver to win SB 12 on his daily Speaking of Sports radio show (comparing them to the '68 Jets as a team of destiny). I knew at that point Denver was doomed (and Craig Morton was in bad shape physically with an injured hip). The Broncos even held their big parade a week before the super bowl game so in reality I think alot of the Denver fans were just happy that their team had finally made it to the Big One.

Morton & Moses 1-06-78 - Copy.jpg (107.39 KiB) Viewed 16051 times

I think Oakland and Dallas would have been a better game but on the scoreboard I still see Dallas winning by 10 (27-17). Stabler would have had a rough time against the Cowboys pass rush though their O-line was light years ahead of the waiver wire-built Broncos line. Unlike what we saw in regular season play the Broncos were very sloppy, committing 8 turnovers. Herrera missed 3 field goals for Dallas and was playing in Seattle the following season (Seahawks fans still thank the Cowboys for that). The headline in the local sports page read "Super Bore." It was not a game that I have ever had a desire to watch twice.

[BD Sullivan]

I recall that some Broncos fans jokingly asked Red Miller to change his first name to Orange in honor of the team. Also, Orange Crush made a mint off the Broncos' season because of the connection between their name and the Denver defense.

Considering Oakland faded in '78, it wouldn't have been surprising to see the beginnings of that two-year fade show up against Dallas in the would-be Super Bowl.

[Retro Rider]

I recall that some Broncos fans jokingly asked Red Miller to change his first name to Orange in honor of the team. Also, Orange Crush made a mint off the Broncos' season because of the connection between their name and the Denver defense.

Considering Oakland faded in '78, it wouldn't have been surprising to see the beginnings of that two-year fade show up against Dallas in the would-be Super Bowl.

Some of those Orange Crush soda cans are worth a few bucks ... Orange Crush made cans of just about everyone in the Broncos organization:

1978 Orange Crush Cans.jpg (83.37 KiB) Viewed 16046 times

The Colts scored 31 against the Raiders in the Divisional Playoff game. The Broncos scored 20 in the AFC Championship but could have put up a few more points following 3 missed Jim Turner field goals and a missed extra point. I can see Dallas putting up around 27 on the Raiders in SB 12 - possibly more.

[sheajets]

Butch Johnson didn't have that ball secured not even for a split second, yet touchdown was signaled almost immediately.

[Jay Z]

Denver was lucky to even be there thanks to a terrible call when Rob Lytle clearly lost the ball on a fumble before crossing the goal line for a pivotal touchdown in the AFC championship. The Raiders were hosed on that one.

Makes up for 1976 Pats-Raiders game!

I respect that Broncos team. Most of the teams that make a big leap forward in W/L, first time in the playoffs, are prone to getting picked off. 1979 Chargers, 1980 Falcons, 1976 Patriots, 1973 Rams and more. The Broncos showed up in the playoffs. Beat the Steelers and Raiders, how can you not respect that?

Craig Morton did a good job in 1977. Played well in the two playoff games. 14 TD vs. 8 INT. Did what he was asked there to do. The rematch against Staubach, probably hard for him to be confident. Terrible performance by the offense, though. If the Broncos played a clean game it might have been a lot closer. The Broncos O-line was not that good, but they got pressure on Staubach too.

[SixtiesFan]

Going in, I fully expected Dallas to win. 1977 was the Cowboys year. As 1976 was the Raiders year.