Epic Showdown In Big D(Vikings/Cowboys 1978)

An epic showdown between the Vikings and Cowboys took place in Dallas during the 1978 season. Check out all of the Hall of Fame greats in this exciting game!

[@billbill5326]

Thanks for including the Miller Lite commercial. Those commercials are CLASSICs.

[@markgardner9460]

Glad you like them! I know I do! Thank you for watching.

[@markgardner9460]

There is a recent video of mine that has 3 of them...all very funny!

[@jvarga2]

Thanks!

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you! I'm glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@jstube36]

I remember this Thursday Night game well. The last between Roger Staubach and Fran Tarkenton. The Vikings were a team in transition. Some well known veterans on their way out: Tarkenton, Marshall, Eller and a few others. The one that hurt the most was losing Alan Page. He was my favorite player. Good thing I was in a local Doctors office in Minneapolis when I read that news of Page being let go. I needed therapy. Like Minnesota, I was a fan in transition. Watching this game with my heart split between the two teams. SB XII made me a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Especially the Doomsday Defense. So this was a pivotal game for me. It was late that season, maybe the playoffs, America's Team became my team. And my heart has been a big blue star ever since. No less than 15 future Hall of Famers on this field. And a few should-be. Including: Jim Marshall, Matt Blair, Bobby Bryant, Tom Rafferty, Harvey Martin, Charlie Waters, Ed Too Tall Jones(my favorite Cowboy at the time).

[@markgardner9460]

I'm surprised that Blair never had any serious HOF consideration. Big play OLB who pkayed great coverage.

[@stevereber]

Matt Blair x6 Pro Bowler x1 AP and 3rd all time with x20 blocked Kicks. Imagine if they considered all the Blocked Kicks and Passes from Too tall Jones as well! x9 Blocked Kicks and must be the all time leaders in batted passes if they ever counted the stat. After Pro Football Reference Counted up all the sacks back to 1960 it Revealed How Great Harvey Martin really was. As well as Cedric Hardeman, Coy Bacon and Al "Bubba" Baker. 💪🏈💪

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460 I agree...Blair could do everything... very heady player!

[@jstube36]

@P RH I was 9 years old at the time. I can't explain all the reasons that led to my choice. I remember liking Too Tall Jones. And what they did in SB XII with such an exciting defense. Holding Denver to just 35 yards passing, and collecting a SB record 8 turnovers. A record they would break themselves against Buffalo years later. I am living proof of America's Team. And of the philosophy of choosing my own team instead of having chosen for me.

[@howardcosell2022]

@@stevereber Matt Blair and Joey Browner. Why they are not in the HOF is beyond me

[@hammer44head]

Cool to see my Vikes and my fave RB THe Spin Master Foreman, didnt see this game and just a few after 77 season, got my first vehicle in 78 so was always out huntin or fishing in the fall and winter. Thanks for posting. Hammer.

[@markgardner9460]

Beibg from MN, I can totally relate, Hammer. What was your first vehicle?

[@hammer44head]

@@markgardner9460 - 72 El Camino, rust bucket but i thought it was the coolest at the time!! haha

[@markgardner9460]

I can relate - I had a '74 Ventura in the same condition and I thought the same thing, Hammer!

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

my vikes...lol

[@victorcastillo-dx9vh]

What a memories. Go Vikings!

[@markgardner9460]

They really took it to 'em that game!

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Kinda the last gasp for the Purple Gang!( Without Page) they definitely surprised almost everyone that night! As a long time Vikings fan,I loved that game!

[@markgardner9460]

This was the Vikes 3rd game without Page. Fran knew how to address The Flex defense...surprised more teams didn't try it.

[@Jetsea]

Thanks for narration.

[@markgardner9460]

You're welcome!

[@brotzmannsax]

@@markgardner9460 Your narration helps like the Ed White trade to the Chargers and Fran's conversion on 3rd and 56 against the Packers, which I've never seen the play.

[@ralphscalise3385]

Great effort by the Vikings in this one. Even in a down year, they could somehow come up with an impressive win against a formidable opponent. They did it to the Eagles in December of that year. Unfortunately, just not enough left in the tank to get back to the SB

[@markgardner9460]

Yes, they came out of the tunnel hyped, got on top early and simply controlled the game throughout.

[@chrisuncleahmad]

The first ever Thursday Night Football game

[@markgardner9460]

I hadn't thought about that - thanks for bringing that up!

[@wjniemi]

It's great to see the guys playing this well. Foreman was having a good game, I almost forgot how much fun it was to watch Fran T scramble and connect. I was working that night so I missed watching the game, and I don't remember it specifically but I would have been interested. Interesting factoids, as well. Thanks for the memories.

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you for commenting and watching. I was studying for a test while this game was on. Blew the test the next day and couldn't remember what happened in the game either.

[@kevincostello3856]

Yeah 78 Vikes the last year for Tarkington and Carl Eller whom would be a Seahawks in 79 at age 37. Looking at that Viking 78 roster they had a lot of 35-38yrs old starters and they still could play one hell of a game against the reigning Champs in Dallas. Ed White goes to Chargers where he would play until 1986 amazing durability and yet he is not in HOF. As always great content here.

[@markgardner9460]

I'm amazed that Ed White isn't in the Hall of Fame. I mean, what more do ya have to do? Helped Foreman rush for 1,000+ yards 3 straight years and blocked admirably in both Tarkenton and Fouts' phenomenal passing attacks. Thank you for the compliment, Kevin - I appreciate it!

[@kevincostello3856]

@@markgardner9460 Exactly what does Ed White have to do??? Like my spelling of " Tarkington" phonetic, Takenton. I'm getting old, my only excuse

[@michaelleroy9281]

Mick Tinglehoff retired after 1978 as well

[@6400az]

Great post, aslo part of my collection but enjoy the points you make here. Similar to the Steelers MNF 1976 game, an extraordinary performance by the Vikings. By 1978, the Viking ship was taking in globs of water but they did beat both of the 77's Superbowl participants, so I held some hope. In this game , not only was Wes Hamilton replacing the departed Ed White but Frank Myers was subbing for the injured Steve Riley. Not surprising, the Vikings came into this game ranked last in rushing. It was also Chuck Foreman's last 100 yard game. Notice he has a couple of nice runs, but you don't see his trademark spin move , or any of his fantastic array of jukes from years prior. Truly loved Bud Grant and his Vikings 19:02 !

[@stevereber]

I didn't realize they beat the Cowboys and Broncos! WOW that's a good call. 22-101 Foreman

[@markgardner9460]

Yeah, Chuck's ankle and knee injury took it's toll on his ability to swerve, spin and juke. He beefed up in the off-season with the thought that it would protect him against all of the punishment he was taking, but it was simply a case of there not being much tread left on the tires.

[@6400az]

@@stevereber Thanks. Unfortunately they also lost to both Tampa and Seattle, becoming the 1st to lose to both expansion teams.

[@6400az]

@@markgardner9460 Correct, he had nagging leg injuries but no full blow out knees thankfully. Foreman' real problem was in fact, weight gain. He came in at around 230 for 1978. There are interviews/pictures of him shortly after his retirement where he looks much bigger,). I still have the Viking report from training camp 1979 where they attempt to address his weight issue. " You don't get fat by lifting weights " ( their words ). Foreman himself exclaims...." I gambled and I lost " . This play, looks similar to the Cardinal MNF Gmae in 74'. Notice here ,the first tackler gets him without any problem 5:18

[@markgardner9460]

@@6400az The Vikes always had problems with Bucs their first few years. Their 3-4 defensive scheme caused Fran Tarkenton fits because there was another LB who could cover their RB's coming out of the backfield.

[@sportshistorybuff319]

Jackie Smith of the Cowboys had to give a motivational lecture to his teammates about how lackadaisacally they were practising, having spent 15 years watching the same complacency on usually bad Cardinal teams. It worked, as Dallas went on an eight game winning streak to reach the Super Bowl.

[@markgardner9460]

Dorsett was fresh down the stretch, not having started until mid-season and Doomsday II was fabulous

[@MrKeithkerr]

I have a lecture of my own for Jackie after he dropped Roger's pass in the end zone.

[@markgardner9460]

@@MrKeithkerr Good one! Roger did accept some of the heat for throwing that soft pass; he said that he should have fired it in like he normally did. Still....

[@SKULL-DUGGERY-2]

Jackie Smith dropped Superbowl XIII. I'm a Steelers fan anyway. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jodypaluch3933]

Nice video as always!

[@markgardner9460]

Thank yoy, Jody...appreciate it!

[@bryanjones4444]

I am enjoying your vintage videos. I did a 2 year study of all the Hall of Fame quarterbacks that started their careers after 1947 and many of the more recent stars that may have a shot at the hall. In an effort to find out who the greatest quarterback of all time is I created a formula that first compares all those quarterbacks to the average quarterback of their era and then compares their percentage, better or worse, to all the other great quarterbacks. I analyzed 16 different categories and left no stone unturned even analyzing such stats as the propensity to fumble and the strength of the passing defense that the quarterback faced. The quarterbacks were given credit for team success in the playoffs even if it was the defense that was most responsible for that success. That team success lifted some quarterbacks, most notably Tom Brady, well above where their own play would have placed them on the all time greatest list. Using this formula the top 5 quarterbacks to start a career after 1947 are #5 Y. A. Tittle, #4 Johnny Unitas, #3 Drew Brees, #2 Peyton Manning and the greatest quarterback of all time, possibly Sammy Baugh not withstanding is Fran Tarkenton. What do you think?

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you for your comments, Bryan! I'm glad that you enjoy my videos! That's quite a study that you undertook and I can appreciate the time allocated to it. Sammy Baugh's first year in the NFL was 1937, so he would not qualify, based upon your system, nor would Otto Graham whose career started in 1946. Given your formula, which I do not know the specifics, other than there are 16 categories, I would give high regard to Sonny Jurgensen because his numbers were far and away higher than his peers over a 7-8 year period. I can not rate any QB who played after 1990 in a Top 5 QB List because of all of the unfair advantages given to them over QB's prior to 1990. I am on board with Tarkenton, Unitas, Tittle and Jurgensen in my Top 5 with Otto Graham in there, too (in no particular order).

[@bryanjones4444]

@@markgardner9460 Sonny came out as the 14th greatest of all time. He was definitely hurt by the lack of team success with only two seasons above 500 as a starter. I put that on the coaching, not on Sonny. Two categories that Sonny was at the top of were the percentage of yards and the percentage of touchdowns that he was responsible for his teams. When Jurgensen finally had a running game and a defense that were not both near the bottom of the league he was no longer a starter but went 13-1 in his final 14 starts. Not that quarterbacks should be given win and loss records because they are just one of between 40 and 53 players and the coaching staff is responsible for at least 30% of the success or failure of a team. I have provisions in my formula to deal with all the advantages that quarterbacks have gotten over the years. Longevity also plays into the formula. If it did not then Roger Staubach would be the greatest of all time. He was the most impressive per game played with Manning second and Steve Young third. I took a good look at Otto and even though all the stats that I needed were not available because he played 40% of his career before 1950 I can safely say that he does not belong in the top 20 all time for two reasons.1. Like Brady, his defenses were the main reason for the Browns success and two he played 4 of his 10 years in the AAFC which was in no way comparable to the NFL.

[@bryanjones4444]

@@markgardner9460 Also I have been advocating for Marshall in the Hall of Fame. It truly is a no brainer. I also did a study on the greatest single season defenses of all time. It is on youtube. "Greatest NFL defenses parts 1,2 and 3". I advocate for Jim at the end of Part 3

[@markgardner9460]

@@bryanjones4444 ibterestibg regarding Jurgensen. I hear ya on the lack of comparables with Graham, but the guy was definately a winner. Does your formula have rushing yards and td's factored? I am assuming that it does since Staubach and Young received high ratings.

[@bryanjones4444]

@@markgardner9460 Yes rushing yards is part of the formula but it is only a 12 point category. All the others range between 40 and 100 points except longevity which is a multiplier of all the other categories. Quarterback rating, touchdowns per game and passing yards per game are the 100 point categories. With passing yards and touchdowns being a part of the quarterback rating formula that makes those two the most important categories along with longevity.

[@TheGlassCoke2001]

Fantastic video as always (despite my Cowboys losing haha)! Also I swore I already saw this and liked it but maybe I didn't.

[@markgardner9460]

It's brand new...I'm glad you liked it!!

[@muttonchopsgayever]

3:03 the Cowboys offensive line standing up always intrigued me. I dont recall any other team doing it.

[@markgardner9460]

A viewer 2 or 3 weeks made note of 2 or 3 other teams' offensive lines that did the same thing. Unfortunately, I do not recall which teams they were.

[@edpinkerton7947]

Ditka tried that in 82 with the bears. Couldn’t pull it off Quickly scrapped

[@markgardner9460]

@@edpinkerton7947 Yet another reason that Ditka was referred to as a scrapper.

[@denisceballos9745]

Tom Hannon (45) SS had a whale of a game in this one - shutting down the long passes to Drew Pearson and Tony Hill. They got nothing on this night.

[@markgardner9460]

I loved Tommy Hannon. He was a hard hitter. Staubach badky underthrew his receivers twice or this game would have been much closer. How 'bout that roll block tackle that Bobby Bryant put on Dorsett? They really shut him down!!

[@metrolax]

I have a soft spot in my heart for the 1978 Viking team. They were really on their last legs, but they pulled out one last division title out of nowhere. They had no rush attack, the defense was average at best, but they still had Tarkenton's wits and that got them over. It was one last shot of glory for that great bunch of Vikings.

[@markgardner9460]

The Pack crumbled that year, after having a great start. Tark and Offensive Coordinator Jerry Burns kept defenses off balance and guessing as to what new wrinkle they'd devise. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@MrAschiff]

Tarkenton is an underrated QB probably because he never won a SB.

[@markgardner9460]

I think so. To me, he should be rated right near the top of the list (Pre-'80). The game has changed so much now that comparisons to QB's after 1980 really shouldn't be made, in my opinion.

[@Sipes.]

That intro is really good !!!!

[@markgardner9460]

Hopefully some other parts of the video, too. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@brotzmannsax]

@@markgardner9460 I dug the cartoon Viking and Cowboy after the first quarter.

[@MrKeithkerr]

Vikes still had Yary at Right Tackle....him and John Hannah of the Patriots were my best lineman cards along with Webster of Steelers fame those were all enemies but well respected ones when pulling cards outta the shoebox.

[@MrKeithkerr]

also....anyone paying Two Grand for a half oz of blow in Texas in the late 70's early 80's was getting ripped off...take it from an amateur who made a few bad decisions in the 80's.

[@markgardner9460]

maybe it was pristine? came packaged with a bow and card? j/k. I don't know much about that stuff other than what pops up during my player/sport research.

[@markgardner9460]

One of my favorite cards is the '74 Gene Upshaw - the dude looks like a mummy. Tom Banks of the Cardinals were some of my other favorites (How did he get his chin strap snapped with that Grizzly Adams beard?)

[@topJimmyP1984]

Remember watching this game Primetime live, was so disappointed the Cowboys had their occasional bad game...

[@markgardner9460]

Even Captain Comeback and Tom Landry's gadget plays couldn't bring the Cowboys back into this game.

[@stevereber]

Topjimmy 1984 i just realized Van Halen fan 👍

[@markgardner9460]

@@stevereber right on!!!

[@stevereber]

@@markgardner9460 Panama! 🎸. I liked Eddie but Randy Rhoads was and still is the Greatest Lol. Let's see if we can get a War Goin from the 80's Lol

[@topJimmyP1984]

@@stevereber yes indeed a VH fan! Didn't you hear EVH taught Randy everything the knows?? Lol

[@standup4982]

The NFL will remain a fixed operation until they make it right for Jim !

[@markgardner9460]

I just don't understand why they won't let him in

[@brotzmannsax]

Yay, Vikings hold on and win after two uncharacteristic fumbles by Dallas, I thought the Vikings would find a way to blow it, but Chuck looked good in his last 100 yard game.

[@markgardner9460]

If ya check out the box scores for Foreman after this game through the end of the game, it's really sad.

[@stevereber]

I didn't know this was Foreman's last 100 yrd game ? Good Call 22-101 🎉

[@brotzmannsax]

@@markgardner9460 He deserved better than no rings and no HOF that's for sure, he gave his all.

[@ragnar4163]

Always good to beat Dallas!this win saved season 8-7-1

[@markgardner9460]

...and to beat 'em in their own house to boot!!

[@higgy04]

- Why was the padding on the base of one of the uprights saying 'VIKINGS'? - Nice hat Jim Marshall - It's too bad Bud Grant and Marv Levy couldn't win a Super Bowl to go along with their Grey Cup wins as coaches. - Even though I never like Cosell's commentating, it was nice to hear him mentions the CFL.

[@markgardner9460]

Southern hospitality

[@stevereber]

3:20 Jim Marshall Fumble Recovery Hof Snub 4:30 Classic Tarkenton to White Gr8 Throw 5:18 Chuck Foreman Decent run 10:34 Jim Marshall sack Played during the 12 game seasons, 14 game seasons and 16 game seasons, Never missed a game 10:54 Staubach big play to Billy Joe Dupree Awesome TE for the Boys 11:50 Great Comments on Fran Tarkenton 3rd Down conversion against the Packers Wow! 13:54 Dorsett Decent run 14:56 Great tackle Bobby Bryant I like as a Hof Snub 51 Career Ints , Overshadowed from the other greats on the Vikings Defense during his era. Especially Paul Krause who had 81 career Ints. Bryant was loafin 😅 18:12 Gr8 Run Chuck Foreman 18:52 Nice Play Tarkenton to White TD Classic Tark 20:43 Randy White smashing Pat Hayden Half Time Highlights 20:48 Jack Lambert hard hit 21:20 Bills Keith Moody Nice Kick Return TD 21:46 HOFR James Lofton bomb TD One of my favorites 22:03 Awesome TD catch Ahmad Rashad 23:05 Incredible TD run Delvin Williams 23:33 Horace ivory nice run game winner 23:55 The Incredible Joe Washington Monday Night game unreal 25:10 Earl Campbell Nice Run vs Steelers 26:38 Danny White Punting and Stat 27:03 LB Matt Blair on the tackle my Trio Of Hof Snubs on Vikings Defense Bryant, Marshall, & Blair For fun my opinion chat welcome 27:10 Dorsett Nice Run 27:42 Nice RAC Tony Hill 29:52 Final Stats of the game Awesome 😎👍

[@markgardner9460]

Marshall had to have been the last man to play with and against Jim Brown, too.

[@denisceballos9745]

The “Treasured Relic”, as Howard referred to Jim Marshall, should be in the Hall - no question.

[@stevereber]

@@denisceballos9745 Dennis Absolutely, he gets overshadowed from the other hall of famers he played with and that play he accidentally ran the wrong way unfortunately I hear is something that might be part of it but Wow really? That's totally unfair Marshall was a Class act Person as well.

[@markgardner9460]

Joey Browner's name was thrown into the HOF debate ring earlier tonight by someone. What's your take on him? I think if Blair played in NY, he'd have been in the HOF a long time ago and if Harry Carson played for the Vikes, he'd still be on the outside of the HOF lookin' in.

[@stevereber]

@@markgardner9460 Great Point, I answered My take on Browner below on Jstube36 Comments. But x6 Pro Bowler x3 Ap in 9 yrs! Plus voted 1980's Hof team! C'mon Man The way you put it with Carson vs Blair Spot on

[@Boomhower89]

🇺🇸👍🏼

[@markgardner9460]

Appreciate it!!!

[@jammininthepast]

Halftime highlights showed Jets Matt Robinson who Denver gave a first rounder and change for. Matt never panned out. You're right put Blair in the hall. Roids were a dirty little secret, they killed Alzado and I would think, bovine, Randy White was damaged by roids too.

[@markgardner9460]

Denver also gave the Jets a 2nd round pick in '80 along with the 1st round pick in '80 and QB Craig Penrose. That was a lot. Waaay too much, in fact, as you pointed out.

[@billbill5326]

Only reason Fran Tarkington (and the team for that matter) doesn’t get the respect is because they never won a Super Bowl.

[@markgardner9460]

couple that with being located in a very small market and that's what happens for sure.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

If I'm not mistaken, this was the last time Chuck Foreman rushed for 100+ yards in a game.,

[@markgardner9460]

You are correct!! He didn't get remotely close to 100 yards again.

[@michaelleroy9281]

The Cowboys fumbled the opening kickoff, they never recovered from there , Vikings with an upset win 21-10

[@markgardner9460]

That was a huge upset on the road - few people anticipated that.

[@Artamusgordon]

The two turnovers early in the game, along with two badly under thrown Staubach passes proved to be the difference between a win & a loss. A lot of the great players of old in this game, as well as the rest of the league were on their way out. Around this time, perhaps even earlier is when the game started going downhill, just my opinion. Although there were some great games after this period, it just didn’t seem the same & would only worsen from this point on.

[@Artamusgordon]

Good video👍

[@markgardner9460]

I'm with ya! They slowly but surely kept making it more difficult on defenses by adding more and more rules that benefitted the offense .....and protected players....starting with the "in the grasp" rule.