Editing Super Bowl XII (section)

===Staubach and the Cowboys' Doomsday Defense===
{{Main|1977 Dallas Cowboys season}}
{{See also|Doomsday Defense}}

With Staubach and his team's [[Doomsday Defense]], the Cowboys won the [[NFC East]] with a 12–2 regular season record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1977 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/1977.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Staubach threw for 2,620 yards and 18 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions, while also gaining 171 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground.  Wide receiver [[Drew Pearson (American football)|Drew Pearson]] was the leading receiver on the team with 48 receptions for 870 yards, while [[Pro Bowl]] tight end [[Billy Joe DuPree]] recorded 28 receptions for 347 yards and provided blocking support on running plays.

The Cowboys also had a new weapon on offense: rookie running back [[Tony Dorsett]], the previous year's Heisman Trophy winner. Despite not becoming a full-time starter until the tenth game of the regular season, Dorsett led the team in rushing with 1,007 yards, scored 13 total touchdowns, and was the team's third leading receiver with 29 receptions for another 273 yards. Veteran fullback [[Robert Newhouse]] provided Dorsett with blocking, and was the team's second leading rusher with 721 yards, while also catching 16 passes for another 106 yards. Running back [[Preston Pearson]] contributed 341 yards rushing, caught 46 passes for 535 yards, and scored 5 touchdowns.  The Cowboys' offensive line was led by All-Pro tackle [[Rayfield Wright]].

Meanwhile, the Cowboys' Doomsday Defense remained in the superb form that helped lead the Cowboys' [[Super Bowl X]] appearance.  Their defensive line consisted of [[Harvey Martin]] (who recorded 20 sacks and earned the [[National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award]]), [[Jethro Pugh]], [[Ed "Too Tall" Jones]] and [[Randy White (American football)|Randy White]].  Behind them, the Cowboys had a trio of linebackers, [[Thomas Henderson (American football)|Thomas Henderson]] (3 interceptions), [[D. D. Lewis (linebacker, born 1945)|D.D. Lewis]], and [[Bob Breunig]], who provided pass coverage and run stoppage. Dallas also had a secondary led by future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Famers]] cornerback [[Mel Renfro]] and safety [[Cliff Harris]] and [[Pro Bowl]] safety [[Charlie Waters]].