| | Thursday, August 29, 2002
MNF History: 1979
ABC Sports Online
Notes from the 1979 MNF season:
Monday Night Football celebrated its 10th anniversary season by adding a new face to the announcing team: former Giants and Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton.
For the second consecutive season, the team that played in the MNF opener reached the Super Bowl. In '78, the Dallas Cowboys shut out the Baltimore Colts in Week 1, 38-0. They then lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in SB XIII on the infamous Jackie Smith's dropped pass in the end zone. In '79, the Steelers defeated the New England Patriots 16-13 in overtime, and won their fourth Super Bowl of the decade, defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31-19.
Earl Campbell's dazzling performance in 1978 meant ratings in '79. The Oilers' Dec. 10 matchup with the Steelers was the second-highest rated MNF to date (it's now sixth), with a 25.1 rating and 40 percent share.
Home team in CAPS
| MNF results: 1979 |
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Date
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Result
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Sept. 3, 1979
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Pittsburgh 16, NEW ENGLAND 13 (OT)
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Sept. 10, 1979
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Atlanta 14, PHILADELPHIA 10
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Sept. 17, 1979
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WASHINGTON 27, N.Y. Giants 0
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Sept. 24, 1979
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CLEVELAND 26, Dallas 7
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Oct. 1, 1979
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GREEN BAY 27, New England 14
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Oct. 8, 1979
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OAKLAND 13, Miami 3
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Oct. 15, 1979
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N.Y. JETS 14, Minnesota 7
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Oct. 22, 1979
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PITTSBURGH 42, Denver 7
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Oct. 29, 1979
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Seattle 31, ATLANTA 28
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Nov. 5, 1979
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Houston 9, MIAMI 6
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Nov. 12, 1979
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Philadelphia 31, DALLAS 21
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Nov. 19, 1979
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LOS ANGELES 20, Atlanta 14
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Nov. 26, 1979
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SEATTLE 30, N.Y. Jets 7
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Dec. 3, 1979
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Oakland 42, NEW ORLEANS 35
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Dec. 10, 1979
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HOUSTON 20, Pittsburgh 17
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Dec. 17, 1979
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SAN DIEGO 17, Denver 7
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