Editing Super Bowl XIII (section)

===Playoffs===
{{Further|1978–79 NFL playoffs}}

Dallas’s first opponent was the [[Atlanta Falcons]], a scrappy 9–7 squad making the first playoff appearance in their 13-year history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/index.htm|title=Atlanta Falcons Team Encyclopedia|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|access-date=November 14, 2021}}</ref>  Despite being 14-point favorites, the Cowboys found themselves trailing 20–13 at the end of the first half, having lost three fumbles and Roger Staubach to a concussion.  But under backup quarterback [[Danny White]], Dallas rallied back in the second half with two touchdowns, while their defense intercepted two passes from [[Steve Bartkowski]] and forced a turnover on downs on their own 35-yard line late in the fourth quarter as Atlanta was driving for a potential tying score, and the team went on to win 27–20.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys - December 30th, 1978 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197812300dal.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the following week, any doubts about the Cowboys due to their struggle to win against the Falcons were quickly put to rest as they shut out the 12–4 [[Los Angeles Rams]] 28–0, holding them to just 277 total yards and forcing 7 turnovers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams - January 7th, 1979 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197901070ram.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Meanwhile, the Steelers easily demolished the defending AFC champion [[Denver Broncos]], 33–10, and the [[Houston Oilers]], 34–5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers - December 30th, 1978 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197812300pit.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>  In the AFC championship game, the "Steel Curtain" defense held the Oilers to just 142 yards and forced 9 turnovers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 7th, 1979 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197901070pit.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>