1979 NFL season

1979 National Football League season
Regular season
Duration	September 1 – December 17, 1979
Playoffs
Start date	December 23, 1979
AFC Champions	Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC Champions	Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl XIV
Date	January 20, 1980
Site	Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Champions	Pittsburgh Steelers
Pro Bowl
Date	January 27, 1980
Site	Aloha Stadium

The Steelers playing the Rams in Super Bowl XIV.

The 1979 NFL season was the 60th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XIV when the Pittsburgh Steelers repeated as champions by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31–19 at the Rose Bowl. The Steelers became the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls twice.^[1]^[2] It was also the 20th anniversary of the American Football League.

Major rule changes

Whenever the quarterback is sacked, the clock will be stopped for at least five seconds and then restarted again. (The stoppage was eliminated effective the 2014 NFL season.)
If a fair catch is made, or signaled and awarded to a team because of interference, on the last play of a half or overtime, the period can be extended and the team can run one play from scrimmage or attempt a fair catch kick.
Defensive linemen can wear numbers 90 to 99.
Centers are included as the interior offensive linemen in the uniform numbering system.
Players are prohibited from wearing torn or altered equipment. Tear-away jerseys are banned.
During kickoffs, punts, and field goal attempts, players on the receiving team cannot block below the waist.
The zone in which crackback blocks are prohibited is extended from 3 yards on either side of the line of scrimmage to 5.
Players cannot use their helmets to butt, spear, or ram an opponent. Any player who uses the crown or the top of his helmet unnecessarily will be called for unnecessary roughness.
In order to prevent incidents such as the Holy Roller game, the following change is made: If an offensive player fumbles during a fourth down play, or during any down played after the two-minute warning in a half or overtime, only the fumbling player can recover and/or advance the ball. This change is known as the "Ken Stabler rule" after the Oakland Raiders quarterback who made the infamous play in the Holy Roller game.^[3]
Referees were outfitted with black identifying hats, while all other officials continued to wear white hats.
For the first time, each official's position was identified on his shirt. The position was abbreviated on the front pocket of the shirt and then spelled out on the back above the number.
The numbering system for officials was altered, with officials numbered separately by position rather than as an entire group, making duplicate numbers among officials common.
Uprights were extended to 30 feet above the crossbar.

Division Races

Starting in 1978, ten teams qualified for the playoffs: the winners of each of the divisions, and two wild-card teams in each conference.

National Football Conference

Week	NFC East		NFC Central		NFC West		Wild Card		Wild Card
1	Dallas, Philadelphia	1–0	3 teams	1–0	Atlanta	1–0
2	Dallas	2–0	Tampa Bay, Chicago	2–0	Atlanta	2–0
3	Dallas	3–0	Tampa Bay	3–0	Atlanta, L.A.	2–1
4	Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington	3–1	Tampa Bay	4–0	Atlanta, L.A.	2–2	Chicago	2–2	Minnesota	2–2
5	Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington	4–1	Tampa Bay	5–0	L.A.	3–2	Minnesota	3–2	4 teams	2–3
6	Dallas, Philadelphia	5–1	Tampa Bay	5–1	L.A.	4–2	Washington	4–2	3 teams	3–3
7	Dallas, Philadelphia	6–1	Tampa Bay	5–2	L.A.	4–3	Washington	5–2	5 teams	3–4
8	Dallas	7–1	Tampa Bay	6–2	L.A., New Orleans	4–4	Philadelphia, Washington	6–2	Minnesota	4–4
9	Dallas	7–2	Tampa Bay	7–2	L.A.	5–4	Philadelphia, Washington	6–3	4 teams	4–5
10	Dallas	8–2	Tampa Bay	7–3	L.A., New Orleans	5–5	Philadelphia, Washington	6–4	Chicago	5–5
11	Dallas	8–3	Tampa Bay	8–3	New Orleans	6–5	Philadelphia, Washington	7–4	Chicago	6–5
12	Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington	8–4	Tampa Bay	9–3	L.A., New Orleans	6–6	Chicago	7–5	Giants, Minnesota	5–7
13	Philadelphia	9–4	Tampa Bay	9–4	L.A., New Orleans	7–6	Dallas, Washington	8–5	Chicago	7–6
14	Philadelphia	10–4	Tampa Bay	9–5	L.A.	8–6	Dallas, Washington	9–5	Chicago	8–6
15	Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington	10–5	Tampa Bay, Chicago	9–6	L.A.	9–6	Minnesota, New Orleans	7–8	Giants	6–9
16	Dallas	11–5	Tampa Bay	10–6	Los Angeles	9–7	Philadelphia	11–5	Chicago	10–6

American Football Conference

Week	AFC East		AFC Central		AFC West		Wild Card		Wild Card
1	Miami	1–0	3 teams	1–0	4 teams	1–0
2	Miami	2–0	Pittsburgh, Cleveland	2–0	San Diego	2–0
3	Miami	3–0	Pittsburgh, Cleveland	3–0	San Diego	3–0	New England, Houston, Denver	2–1
4	Miami	4–0	Pittsburgh, Cleveland	4–0	San Diego, Denver	3–1	New England, Houston	3–1	Buffalo, Kansas City	2–2
5	Miami	4–1	Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Houston	4–1	San Diego	4–1	New England, Denver, Buffalo, Kansas City	3–2	Jets, Oakland	2–3
6	Miami, New England	4–2	Pittsburgh	5–1	San Diego, Denver, Kansas City	4–2	Cleveland, Houston	4–2	Buffalo, Oakland	3–3
7	Miami, New England	5–2	Pittsburgh, Houston	5–2	San Diego, Denver	5–2	Cleveland, Kansas City, Oakland	4–3	Buffalo, Jets	3–4
8	New England	6–2	Pittsburgh	6–2	San Diego	6–2	Miami, Cleveland, Houston, Denver	5–3	Jets, Kansas City, Oakland	4–4
9	Miami, New England	6–3	Pittsburgh	7–2	San Diego, Denver	6–3	Cleveland, Houston	6–3	Oakland	5–4
10	New England	7–3	Pittsburgh	8–2	San Diego, Denver	7–3	Cleveland, Houston	7–3	Miami, Oakland	6–4
11	Miami, New England	7–4	Pittsburgh	9–2	San Diego, Denver	8–3	Houston	8–3	Cleveland	7–4
12	New England	8–4	Pittsburgh, Houston	9–3	San Diego, Denver	9–3	Cleveland	8–4	Miami	7–5
13	Miami, New England	8–5	Pittsburgh, Houston	10–3	San Diego	10–3	Denver	9–4	Cleveland	8–5
14	Miami	9–5	Pittsburgh	11–3	San Diego, Denver	10–4	Houston	10–4	Cleveland	9–5
15	Miami	10–5	Pittsburgh, Houston	11–4	San Diego	11–4	Denver	10–5	Cleveland, Oakland	9–6
16	Miami	10–6	Pittsburgh	12–4	San Diego	12–4	Houston	11–5	Denver	10–6

Final standings

AFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Miami Dolphins⁽³⁾	10	6	0	.625	5–3	6–6	341	257	L1
New England Patriots	9	7	0	.563	4–4	6–6	411	326	W1
New York Jets	8	8	0	.500	4–4	5–7	337	383	W3
Buffalo Bills	7	9	0	.438	4–4	5–7	268	279	L3
Baltimore Colts	5	11	0	.313	3–5	4–10	271	351	W1

AFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Pittsburgh Steelers⁽²⁾	12	4	0	.750	4–2	9–3	416	262	W1
Houston Oilers⁽⁴⁾	11	5	0	.688	4–2	9–3	362	331	L1
Cleveland Browns	9	7	0	.563	2–4	6–6	359	352	L2
Cincinnati Bengals	4	12	0	.250	2–4	2–10	337	421	W1

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
San Diego Chargers⁽¹⁾	12	4	0	.750	6–2	9–3	411	246	W2
Denver Broncos⁽⁵⁾	10	6	0	.625	4–4	7–5	289	262	L2
Seattle Seahawks	9	7	0	.563	3–5	6–6	378	372	W2
Oakland Raiders	9	7	0	.563	3–5	5–7	365	337	L1
Kansas City Chiefs	7	9	0	.438	4–4	7–7	238	262	L1

NFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Dallas Cowboys⁽¹⁾	11	5	0	.688	6–2	10–2	371	313	W3
Philadelphia Eagles⁽⁴⁾	11	5	0	.688	6–2	9–3	339	282	W1
Washington Redskins	10	6	0	.625	5–3	8–4	348	295	L1
New York Giants	6	10	0	.375	1–7	5–9	237	323	L3
St. Louis Cardinals	5	11	0	.313	2–6	4–8	307	358	L1

NFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Tampa Bay Buccaneers⁽²⁾	10	6	0	.625	6–2	8–6	273	237	W1
Chicago Bears⁽⁵⁾	10	6	0	.625	5–3	8–4	306	249	W3
Minnesota Vikings	7	9	0	.438	5–3	6–6	259	337	L1
Green Bay Packers	5	11	0	.313	3–5	4–8	246	316	W1
Detroit Lions	2	14	0	.125	1–7	2–10	219	365	L3

NFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Los Angeles Rams⁽³⁾	9	7	0	.563	5–1	7–5	323	309	L1
New Orleans Saints	8	8	0	.500	4–2	8–4	370	360	W1
Atlanta Falcons	6	10	0	.375	2–4	5–7	300	388	W1
San Francisco 49ers	2	14	0	.125	1–5	2–10	308	416	L1

Tiebreakers

San Diego was the top AFC playoff seed based on head-to-head victory over Pittsburgh (1–0).
Seattle finished ahead of Oakland in the AFC West based on head-to-head sweep (2–0).
Dallas finished ahead of Philadelphia in the NFC East based on better conference record (10–2 to Eagles’ 9–3).
Tampa Bay finished ahead of Chicago in the NFC Central based on a better division record (6–2 to Bears’ 5–3).
Chicago was the second NFC Wild Card ahead of Washington based on better net points in all games (57 to Redskins” 53).

Coaching Changes

Tom Flores replaced a retired John Madden as head coach of the Oakland Raiders
Ray Perkins replaced John McVay as head coach of the New York Giants
Bill Walsh replaced Fred O'Connor as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers
Ron Erhardt replaced Chuck Fairbanks as head coach of the New England Patriots

Playoffs

The Buccaneers playing against the Eagles in 1979 NFC Divisional Playoff Game.


			Divisional Playoffs
			Dec. 30 – Texas Stadium
NFC Wild Card Game						NFC Championship
			3	Los Angeles	21
Dec. 23 – Veterans Stadium						Jan. 6 – Tampa Stadium
			1*	Dallas	19
5	Chicago	17				3	Los Angeles	9
			Dec. 29 – Tampa Stadium
4	Philadelphia	27				2	Tampa Bay	0	Super Bowl XIV
			4	Philadelphia	17
									Jan. 20 – Rose Bowl
			2*	Tampa Bay	24
									N3	Los Angeles	19
			Dec. 29 – San Diego Stadium
AFC Wild Card Game						AFC Championship			A2	Pittsburgh	31
			4	Houston	17
Dec. 23 – Astrodome						Jan. 6 – Three Rivers Stadium
			1	San Diego	14
5	Denver	7				4	Houston	13
			Dec. 30 – Three Rivers Stadium
4	Houston	13				2	Pittsburgh	27
			3	Miami	14

			2	Pittsburgh	34

NOTE: The Dallas Cowboys (the NFC 1 seed) did not play the Philadelphia Eagles (the 4 seed) in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.

Statistical leaders

Team

Points scored	Pittsburgh Steelers (416)
Total yards gained	Pittsburgh Steelers (6,258)
Yards rushing	New York Jets (2,646)
Yards passing	San Diego Chargers (3,915)
Fewest points allowed	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (237)
Fewest total yards allowed	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3,949)
Fewest rushing yards allowed	Denver Broncos (1,693)
Fewest passing yards allowed	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2,076)

Awards

Most Valuable Player	Earl Campbell, Running Back, Houston Oilers
Coach of the Year	Jack Pardee, Washington
Offensive Player of the Year	Earl Campbell, Running Back, Houston Oilers
Defensive Player of the Year	Lee Roy Selmon, Defensive End, Tampa Bay
Offensive Rookie of the Year	Ottis Anderson, Running Back, St. Louis Cardinals
Defensive Rookie of the Year	Jim Haslett, Linebacker, Buffalo
Man of the Year Award	Joe Greene, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh
Comeback Player of the Year	Larry Csonka, Running Back, Miami
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player	Terry Bradshaw, Quarterback, Pittsburgh

Draft

The 1979 NFL Draft was held from May 3 to 4, 1979 at New York City's Waldorf Astoria New York. With the first pick, the Buffalo Bills selected linebacker Tom Cousineau from Ohio State University.

Coaches

National Football Conference

Notes

↑ "Colts open Super Bowl defense". September 6, 2007. the Steelers, the only team to ever repeat twice as Super Bowl champions
↑ "Steelers History: A Tradition of Excellence". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2014. Yet another standard was set the following year when the 1979 Steelers defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 31-19, in Super Bowl XIV to make them ... the only team to win back-to-back Super Bowls twice
↑ Rules of the Name, or How The Emmitt Rule Became The Emmitt Rule Archived September 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. (URL last accessed March 1, 2006)

References

NFL Record and Fact Book ( ISBN 1-932994-36-X)
NFL History 1971–1980 (Last accessed December 4, 2005)
Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League ( ISBN 0-06-270174-6)

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[1] "Colts open Super Bowl defense". September 6, 2007. the Steelers, the only team to ever repeat twice as Super Bowl champions

[2] "Steelers History: A Tradition of Excellence". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2014. Yet another standard was set the following year when the 1979 Steelers defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 31-19, in Super Bowl XIV to make them ... the only team to win back-to-back Super Bowls twice

[3] Rules of the Name, or How The Emmitt Rule Became The Emmitt Rule Archived September 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. (URL last accessed March 1, 2006)