1978 NFC Championship Game
One whistle, one play, and decades of heartbreak for Philadelphia.
The 1978 NFC Championship Game lives in infamy as one of the most agonizing chapters in Philadelphia Eagles history. Played on January 7, 1979, at Veterans Stadium, this clash pitted the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles against their arch-rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, for a berth in Super Bowl XIII. While the final score tells a story of defeat, the game is defined by a singular, controversial officiating decision involving a fumble recovery—a call that many fans still believe denied Philadelphia its first trip to the Super Bowl.
- Date
- January 7, 1979
- Venue
- Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia
- Opponent
- Dallas Cowboys
- Result
- Loss (20-7)
- Eagles Head Coach
- Dick Vermeil
- Cowboys Head Coach
- Tom Landry
Lore & Background
The game cemented its place in lore during the 'Fumble' play late in the fourth quarter. With the score locked at 7-7 and time evaporating, Eagles running back Wilbert Montgomery was tackled by Cowboys linebacker Harvey Martin and defensive end Ed Jones near the goal line. The ball popped loose, tumbling into the end zone where Cowboys defender Randy White dove to recover it. In an instant, officials signaled that the ball had gone out of bounds before possession could be secured, ruling a touchback instead of a Dallas touchdown. This controversial call kept the game alive but shifted the momentum; the Eagles subsequently stalled on their next drive, allowing the Cowboys to eventually secure a 20-7 victory.
In Their Own Story
The cold wind whipped off the Schuylkill River, biting through the winter coats of the fifty thousand fans in Veterans Stadium. Wilbert Montgomery, battered and exhausted, clutched the ball tight as he broke into the open field near the Dallas goal line. A collision erupted; bodies slammed together with a sickening thud. The leather sphere popped loose, tumbling end over end toward the white pylon. For a split second, silence hung heavy in the air as Randy White dove for it. Then, the referee's arm shot up, signaling out of bounds. The roar that followed wasn't one of celebration, but of a collective gasp turning into a groan that echoed through the stadium, sealing a fate that would haunt the City of Brotherly Love for generations.
Reader's Guide
This NFC Championship matchup determined the Philadelphia Eagles' fate for Super Bowl XIII. Riding a wave of Dick Vermeil's successful rebuilding effort, the Eagles sought to convert their first division title in years into a championship run against the powerhouse Dallas Cowboys at Veterans Stadium.
While the contest was a defensive battle early on, the outcome hinged on the final minutes. The disputed officiating call regarding Wilbert Montgomery's fumble remains the focal point of the game's legacy, overshadowing the tactical play that followed. Ultimately, the loss prevented Philadelphia from advancing to Super Bowl XIII, which would be contested by Pittsburgh and Dallas.
For the Eagles franchise, this match represents a pivotal turning point—a painful lesson in the fine margins between glory and heartbreak that fueled the team's drive toward their eventual success in 1980.
Did You Know?
- The controversial ruling on Wilbert Montgomery's fumble remains debated by fans and analysts nearly half a century later.
- This loss denied the Eagles Super Bowl XIII, which was ultimately won by the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Dallas Cowboys.
- Despite the heartbreak, this game marked the culmination of Dick Vermeil's rebuilding of the franchise from a laughingstock to a legitimate contender.
- The Eagles would not return to an NFC Championship Game until 1980, where they finally won and advanced to their first Super Bowl.