The Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to winning the Super Bowl, as they have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy five times in franchise history. This is tied with the San Francisco 49ers for the third-most titles in NFL history. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, each with six championships, have more.
However, it’s been quite some time since the Cowboys have won it all. Let’s revisit the last time they were Super Bowl champions.
The Dallas Cowboys’ Last Super Bowl Victory
Dallas became the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in four years. In 1996, they made history by beating the Steelers 27-17.
The Super Bowl came after several key veterans left the team, including wide receiver Alvin Harper and safety James Washington.
The Cowboys opened the 1995-96 season with a bang, winning their first four games against the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings (in overtime), and Arizona Cardinals. In Week 5, Dallas suffered a close 27-23 loss to Washington and QB Troy Aikman got hurt early in the contest.
However, Aikman was fine and the team went on another four-game winning streak, defeating the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and Philadelphia Eagles.
However, that streak was ultimately broken by the San Francisco 49ers, who beat Dallas at home 38-20. Dallas would bounce back, winning their next two games against the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.
MORE: List of Most Super Bowl Wins by Team
The Cowboys lost to Washington and Philadelphia, but then ended the regular season with victories over the Giants and Arizona Cardinals. Dallas was a 12-4 with a spot in the NFC Divisional Round, where they were set to match up against Philadelphia.
The game was a blowout, with the Cowboys beating the Eagles 30-10, punching their ticket for the NFC Championship Game against the Packers.
The Cowboys defeated the Packers, 38-27, in a game that was closer than the final score indicates. After a scoreless third quarter, Dallas was actually losing 27-24 entering the fourth.
The Cowboys took the lead a few plays into the fourth quarter when running back Emmitt Smith recorded a five-yard touchdown run. The Packers then drove the ball past midfield, but an interception from CB Larry Brown sealed the deal as Dallas went on to score one more time and prevent Green Bay from scoring in the final quarter to secure the win. Aikman completed 21 of 33 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
Winning the Super Bowl
After the exciting NFC Championship Game victory, the Cowboys turned their attention to Super Bowl XXX on Jan 28.
Dallas ultimately defeated Pittsburgh 27-17 to take home the Lombardi Trophy. It was the Cowboys’ eighth Super Bowl appearance and the Steelers’ fifth, with both trying to win a fifth Super Bowl (which would tie the 49ers for the most all-time).
The Cowboys outscored the Steelers 10-0 in the first quarter, with tight end Jay Novacek catching a three-yard score from Aikman.
A second field goal to start the second quarter increased the Cowboys’ lead to 13-0, but the Steelers scored their first points on a six-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys held a 13-7 lead at halftime.
Pittsburgh was held scoreless in the third quarter thanks to an interception and turnover on downs, allowing Dallas to increase its lead.
Aikman connected with wide receiver Michael Irvin on a 17-yard pass to reach the 1-yard line, and Smith was able to punch it in to make the score 20-7.
The Steelers opened the fourth quarter with a field goal, and then completed an onside kick on the the ensuing kickoff. The excellent field position allowed them to march down the field and score a one-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to just three points.
However, the Steelers’ comeback fell short, as they wouldn’t put any more points on the board while the Cowboys scored again. Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell threw another pick on a drive that could have given Pittsburgh the lead, and then Smith scored the final touchdown of the game for Dallas.
Aikman finished with 209 passing yards and a touchdown, while Smith rushed for 49 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Brown earned Super Bowl MVP honors thanks to his two interceptions, becoming the first cornerback to win the award.
Dallas Hasn’t Been Back to the Super Bowl Since
The Cowboys haven’t made a Super Bowl appearance since 1996. The team has made the playoffs 12 times in the years since, but they haven’t advanced past the Divisional Round.
Following the 1996 Super Bowl win, Dallas did not make the playoffs in 1997 and then got eliminated in the Wild Card Round in 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006, and 2007.
In 2009, 2014, and 2016, the team fell in the Divisional Round. Most recently, the Cowboys lost to the Packers 48-32 in the Wild Card Round.
This past offseason, Dallas handed out monster contracts to quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in hopes that they can lead the team back to contention.