Still stinging from the upset loss to the Rams a few weeks earlier, the Cowboys committed grand theft draft pick in May of 1977.
The Cowboys sent their first round pick of that draft and three second rounders to Seattle for its second pick in the first round.
After Tampa Bay selected USC running back Ricky Bell at No. 1, Dallas took Pittsburgh running back Tony Dorsett. Dorsett had won the Heisman and a National Championship a few months earlier.
Dorsett would play for 12 years and rush for over 12,000 yards. He would make the Hall of Fame. Bell lasted six years and rushed for just over 3,000 yards.
Dallas would also draft Glenn Carano in the second round. In addition to appearing in a few games, Carano’s most notable sports contribution would be as MMA star-turned-actress Gina Carano’s dad.
The Cowboys landed wide receiver Tony Hill in the third round and set off in hunt of a championship.
A Perfect Eight
Dallas started its run in Minnesota and had to work overtime for the win. Dorsett only saw four carries for 11 yards in his NFL debut.
Roger Staubach won the game in overtime with a four-yard run for a 16-10 victory over the Vikings. Dallas’ defense forced five turnovers, including three Fran Tarkenton interceptions.
The defense was at it again the next week against the Giants, forcing five turnovers with three picks. Dorsett would get seven carries for 62 yards, but scored twice in a 41-21 win.
Dallas’ defense pitched a shutout against Tampa Bay, as the Bucs’ only score came of a fumble return. Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson rumbled 79 yards for a score on an interception return.
In a battle of top picks, Bell was held to just seven yards on three carries. Dorsett had 10 carries for 72 yards.
Dorsett’s breakout game came against the Cardinals. He had a 77-yard touchdown run as part of a 141-yard, two touchdown performance. Dallas scored two late touchdowns for a 30-24 win.
The Cowboys scored 20 unanswered point to close out a 34-16 win over the Redskins. A Charlie Waters return of a blocked punt led to a 16-10 win over the Eagles.
Dallas crushed Detroit 37-0 the following week then made it 8-0 on the season with a 24-10 win over the Giants.
Midseason Malaise
Jim Hart tossed a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns – 49 yards to Mel Gray and a three-yarder to Jackie Smith – to snap the Cowboys streak with a 24-17 Cardinals win.
The Steelers would score the final 21 points of the game to earn a 28-13 win over Dallas. The loss spoiled Dorsett’s homecoming to Pittsburgh, despite a 73-yard, one touchdown performance.
Franco Harris upstaged the rookie with 179 yards and two touchdowns. Terry Bradshaw threw touchdown passes to Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.
It would be the last time Dallas would lose a football game for the next 10 months.
Strong Finish
The Cowboys would edge the Redskins 14-7 the next week before hosting Philadelphia on Week 12. Dorsett would have a monster game, rushing for 206 yards and two scores.
Dorsett’s 84-yard run would seal a 24-14 victory over the Eagles. Dallas would survive a 42-35 shootout at San Francisco then close out a 12-2 campaign with a 14-6 win over Denver.
Playoff Push
The Cowboys rolled over the Bears in the Divisional playoff game, 37-7. The Bears got a late score to avoid the shutout while Dorsett rushed for a pair of touchdowns.
The Vikings fared little better in the NFC Championship game, falling 23-6 to the relentless Cowboys.
After an NFL-best record of 12-2 (tied with Denver), the Cowboys had cruised through the playoffs. Only one game remained.
Super Bowl XII
Dorsett’s three-yard run opened the scoring in New Orleans against Denver and Dallas stretched the lead to 13-0 at halftime.
The defense tormented former Cowboys’ quarterback Craig Morton. They sacked him twice and picked off four passes before driving him out of the game.
Staubach tossed a 45-yard touchdown to Butch Johnson – a play that would have been ruled incomplete by today’s rules – to extend the lead to 20-3.
Robert Newhouse hit Golden Richards with a 29-yard halfback option pass to seal a 27-10 win.
The Cowboys had their second title. They would do everything they possibly could to defend it just 12 months later.
