NFL game summary for 12/30/1978:
Dallas used strong second-half efforts by its defense and backup quarterback Danny White to capture a 27-20 divisional playoff victory over Atlanta on a cloudy, 30-degree day. The defending Super Bowl XII champion Cowboys thus advanced to the NFC championship game for the ninth time in the last 13 years in quest of the fifth title in their 19-year history. White relieved starter Roger Staubach, who suffered a concussion with 38 seconds to go in the first half and the Falcons holding a 20-13 lead. White rallied Dallas to two second-half touchdowns while the Cowboys' defense shut off the Falcons' attack, allowing only 85 net yards in the final half.
In the third quarter, White directed a seven-play, 54-yard drive, capped by tight end Jackie Smith's two-yard touchdown catch, to tie the score at 20-20. The Dallas defense then allowed Atlanta only one first down in the third period. The Cowboys' winning touchdown drive began after Dallas pressured Falcons punter John James, causing a 10-yard punt that gave the Cowboys possession at the Atlanta 30. Five plays later, fullback Scott Laidlaw bulled over from the 1 with 9:46 remaining in the contest. White completed 10 of 20 for 127 yards (one touchdown, one interception) as the Cowboys collected 369 total yards, 242 of them in the second half.
Tight end Billy Joe DuPree caught five passes for 59 yards, while wide receiver Drew Pearson grabbed four for 75 yards. Laidlaw topped Cowboys' rushers with 66 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns. Running back Tony Dorsett contributed 65 yards on 14 attempts. Staubach completed 7 of 17 passes for 105 yards. The Dallas defense picked up five quarterback sacks, led by defensive end Too Tall Jones and defensive tackle Larry Cole with two each.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 103.8 (27) | 150.1 (16) | 253.9 (26) | 41 |
| DEFENSE | 129.2 (8) | 147.8 (9) | 276.9 (5) | 37 | |
 | OFFENSE | 173.9 (3) | 198.5 (3) | 372.4 (2) | 35 |
| DEFENSE | 107.6 (1) | 143.0 (5) | 250.6 (2) | 36 |
Line: Cowboys by 15
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons (10-8-0) | 7 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Dallas Cowboys (13-4-0) | 10 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
ATL DAL
First Downs: 16 26
Rushes-yards: 36-164 37-148
Yards/rush: 4.6 4.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 8-23-95-3 17-37-232-1
Sacked-yards: 5-43 1-11
Net pass yards: 52 221
Net yards/pass: 1.9 5.8
Total net yards: 216 369
Total plays: 64 (56% run) 75 (49% run)
Yards/play: 3.4 4.9
Fumbles-lost: 0-0 6-3
Turnovers: 3 4
Penalties-yards: 7-69 7-65
Attendance: 60,338
ATL: Steve Bartkowski, 8 of 23 for 95 yards and 1 TD (3 int) DAL: Danny White, 10 of 20 for 127 yards and 1 TD (1 int); Roger Staubach, 7 of 17 for 105 yards
Rushing:
ATL: Bubba Bean, 17 for 72 yards and 1 TD; Haskel Stanback, 9 for 62 yards; George Franklin, 8 for 24 yards; Mike Esposito, 2 for 6 yards DAL: Scott Laidlaw, 17 for 66 yards and 2 TDs; Tony Dorsett, 14 for 65 yards; Danny White, 3 for -4 yards; Billy Joe DuPree, 1 for 20 yards; Roger Staubach, 1 for 3 yards; Preston Pearson, 1 for -2 yards
Receiving:
ATL: Wallace Francis, 6 for 66 yards and 1 TD; Billy Ryckman, 1 for 22 yards; Mike Esposito, 1 for 7 yards DAL: Billy Joe DuPree, 5 for 59 yards; Drew Pearson, 4 for 75 yards; Jackie Smith, 3 for 38 yards and 1 TD; Tony Hill, 3 for 36 yards; Scott Laidlaw, 1 for 15 yards; Tony Dorsett, 1 for 9 yards
Kick returns:
ATL: Dennis Pearson, 2 for 59 yards; Tom Pridemore, 2 for 36 yards; George Franklin, 1 for 29 yards DAL: Butch Johnson, 4 for 50 yards; Larry Brinson, 1 for 24 yards
Punt returns:
DAL: Butch Johnson, 4 for 32 yards
Interceptions:
ATL: Rolland Lawrence, 1 for 0 yards DAL: Cliff Harris, 1 for 22 yards; Aaron Kyle, 1 for 15 yards; Randy Hughes, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
ATL: John James, 6 for 225 yards DAL: Danny White, 3 for 108 yards
Field Goals:
ATL: Tim Mazzetti, 2/2 DAL: Rafael Septien, 2/3