The 10 Biggest Disappointments in Super Bowl History

Labeled “America’s Team,” the ‘Dallas Cowboys followed up their 1978 Super Bowl victory by stampeding to a 12-4 regular season record, seemingly destined to repeat the feat with a Hall of Fame team on paper—as well as on the field. They had the powerhouse lineup of Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, and Drew Pearson on offense, and an unstoppable “Doomsday Defense,” led by Randy White, Harvey Martin and Ed “Too Tall” Jones. Unfortunately, though, they had to go up against the equally impressive Pittsburgh Steelers in the title game, whom they had already lost to in Super Bowl X, two years earlier. The Cowboys had a chance to tie the game up in the third quarter when Jackie Smith dropped a pass in the end zone, falling to the ground like a child having a temper tantrum. (Hey, this is totally understandable after dropping a touchdown pass during the Super Bowl, OK?) Dallas had to settle for a field goal—and a 35-31 L.