Roger Staubach First and Last Miracle

[LeonardRachiele]

Think back to the 70s. Roger Staubach was a great come from behind quarterback.   I remember the first and last time he pulled the fat out of the fire.

1972 Playoffs; first round  Wild Card Dallas Cowboys (10-4) at San Francisco (8-5-1)

Dallas had easily defeated the 49ers in the first two NFC Title Game.  This year it looked like a different matter. Just one month before on Thanksgiving Day, San Francisco blew out the Cowboys 31 to 10.  This was one of Tom Landry's worst holidays.  Now the 49ers were leading the Cowboys 28 to 10 after the quarters.  Rogers Staubach replaced Craig Morton at quarterback.   Roger completed 12 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns.  The Cowboys were ecstatic on the bench in this last minute thriller.  Dallas 30 San Francisco 28.

Nevertheless the following week came a letdown.  This often happens after key games.  NFC Title Game at Washington.  Redskins 26 Cowboys 3

1979 Final Regular Season Game at Washington.

The Redskins were leading 34 to 21 with six minutes remaining.  Staubach ignited the Cowboys with touchdown passes to Ron Springs and Tony Hill.   For the day, Roger completed 24 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns.  Dallas 35 Redskins 34.   Dallas finished at 11-5.

In the first round of the playoffs Dallas hosted the 9-7 Los Angeles Rams. All signs pointed the a Dallas victory.

--in the previous year's NFC Title Game Dallas beat the Rams 28 to 0;
--during 1979 regular season, the Cowboys beat the Rams easily 30 to 6;
--the Cowboys were two game better than 9-7 LA.

However as in 1972, Dallas was flat and lost 21 to 19.