Dallas VS San Diego, SBXIV (1979)
Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2024 9:21 am
Let's just say that the close loss to the Rams in the divisional round flips in their favor. I'd say that even without Staubach the following week, the 'Boys get it done over Tampa Bay and its off to their third-straight Super Bowl.
And let's also say that San Diego turns that close loss to a depleted Oilers team into an advancement as well; and then they are able to beat the Steelers again.
The two top-seed teams of '79 squaring off in the Pasadena sun! The 'home' Chargers in their white jerseys, Cowboys in their 'jinx' blues! With or without Roger, who wins?
Happy 4TH to all in this forum!
I keep forgetting that "good" Dallas actually started 7-1 in '79. That's the record they were at going into Pittsburgh for that anticipated 'Super Bowl XIII 1/2' match (Steelers were 6-2). That three-game skid to Eagles, MNF/@Wash/"Battle of Texas" on Thanksgiving Day dropped them down to 8-5. But then they win-out by beating NYG again and then avenging things at both the Vet and at home in that Classic finale. Their defense wasn't great but good-enough (#8) considering the players they lost. What really didn't help on that side of the ball was they only recording 13 INTs (worst in the league). But they had the #2 offense!
San Diego's weakness was their run-game - 27th in yards and 26th Y/A at a paltry 3.5! Despite having the #1 pass offense, which brought their overall offense to #5, Fouts did throw a lot of INTs. But on defense, SD was #3 in INTs as well as #3 in turnovers - quite opportunistic! Their D also allowed the least passing TDs at just 11! This installment was definitely the better and more-balanced of the Coryell Charger teams with a possible argument that the second-half of '78, alone, may be stronger than any of their '80s squads as well!
Who do I think wins a hypo-Dal/SD SBXIV? The Chargers' passing attack, though not yet as potent as their early-'80s installments would be, going against that Dallas pass-defense just may be what would do it for me in deciding things. If I'm placing a bet on simply who wins, no spread, I would pick the Chargers; but then I'd be worried from there thinking of Landry's big-game experience and never counting out Captain America - OR Danny - in the clutch!
And let's also say that San Diego turns that close loss to a depleted Oilers team into an advancement as well; and then they are able to beat the Steelers again.
The two top-seed teams of '79 squaring off in the Pasadena sun! The 'home' Chargers in their white jerseys, Cowboys in their 'jinx' blues! With or without Roger, who wins?
Happy 4TH to all in this forum!
I keep forgetting that "good" Dallas actually started 7-1 in '79. That's the record they were at going into Pittsburgh for that anticipated 'Super Bowl XIII 1/2' match (Steelers were 6-2). That three-game skid to Eagles, MNF/@Wash/"Battle of Texas" on Thanksgiving Day dropped them down to 8-5. But then they win-out by beating NYG again and then avenging things at both the Vet and at home in that Classic finale. Their defense wasn't great but good-enough (#8) considering the players they lost. What really didn't help on that side of the ball was they only recording 13 INTs (worst in the league). But they had the #2 offense!
San Diego's weakness was their run-game - 27th in yards and 26th Y/A at a paltry 3.5! Despite having the #1 pass offense, which brought their overall offense to #5, Fouts did throw a lot of INTs. But on defense, SD was #3 in INTs as well as #3 in turnovers - quite opportunistic! Their D also allowed the least passing TDs at just 11! This installment was definitely the better and more-balanced of the Coryell Charger teams with a possible argument that the second-half of '78, alone, may be stronger than any of their '80s squads as well!
Who do I think wins a hypo-Dal/SD SBXIV? The Chargers' passing attack, though not yet as potent as their early-'80s installments would be, going against that Dallas pass-defense just may be what would do it for me in deciding things. If I'm placing a bet on simply who wins, no spread, I would pick the Chargers; but then I'd be worried from there thinking of Landry's big-game experience and never counting out Captain America - OR Danny - in the clutch!