The Dallas Cowboys are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, boasting eight Super Bowl appearances and five championships. From the defensive grit and widespread popularity that earned them the moniker
of “America’s Team” in the 1970s to the offensive fireworks and fierce tenacity of the 1990s, the Cowboys have one of the most decorated pasts the league has ever seen.
All this greatness happened over 25 years. Even with the disappointing, declining decade of the ‘80s, when they never advanced past the conference championship, the Cowboys still filled those years with excitement. Sadly, the current drought has surpassed the span of greatness, as last week marked the 30th anniversary of the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl appearance. They have now gone longer without even reaching the championship game than the stretch it took them from winning their first to winning their last Super Bowl. These once-beloved moments have now become distant memories.
But that doesn’t mean they are forgotten. For those of you who missed out or those who just want to relive those precious moments, we’ve decided to take a journey through the Cowboys’ remarkable quarter-century of relevance, when wearing the star was a symbol of pride.
The Early Era: Breakthrough and the Doomsday Defense
It was a rough start for Tom Landry and the expansion Cowboys in the ‘60s. They didn’t win a single game in their inaugural season and didn’t make the playoffs once over their first six years in the league. Eventually, things got better. Much better, in fact, eventually stringing together 20 consecutive seasons with a winning record. That’s why the Cowboys’ first two Super Bowl appearances defined the resilience of the Landry era.
Super Bowl V (1971) is widely known as the “Blunder Bowl” because of the 11 combined turnovers between the Cowboys and Baltimore Colts. The game was decided by a 32-yard field goal from Colts rookie Jim O’Brien with just five seconds remaining. Despite a 16-13 loss to the Colts, Cowboys’ linebacker Chuck Howley became the first and only player from a losing team to be named MVP.
Dallas redeemed themselves the following year in Super Bowl VI (1972). Led by MVP Roger Staubach and the “Doomsday Defense,” the Cowboys dismantled the Miami Dolphins 24-3, setting a record for the fewest points allowed that would stand for nearly half a century (recently tied in Super Bowl LIII when the Patriots held the Rams to three points).
The Rivalry Years: Trials Against the Steelers
The late ‘70s saw Dallas engage in a legendary trilogy against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Super Bowl X (1976), the Cowboys entered as the first-ever wild-card team to reach the title game. They held a 10-7 lead through three quarters, but a 64-yard touchdown catch by Steelers MVP Lynn Swann shifted the momentum and gave Pittsburgh a 21-17 lead. A late rally fell short when Staubach was picked off in the end zone as time expired.
They climbed back to the mountaintop in Super Bowl XII (1978) with a 27-10 win over the Denver Broncos. The Doomsday Defense unleashed on the Broncos, forcing eight turnovers. Broncos quarterback (and former Cowboys quarterback) Craig Morton only completed eight passes the entire game. Once again, the Cowboys made Super Bowl trivia history by having the first and only co-MVPs with defensive stars Randy White and Harvey Martin taking home the honors. It was also the first Super Bowl played in a domed stadium (the Louisiana Superdome).
Sadly, the decade ended in disappointment when the Cowboys again faced the Steelers in Super Bowl XIII (1979), and again lost, this time in a 35-31 high-scoring affair. This game featured 17 future Hall of Famers on the field. Dallas trailed for most of the second half, and the game was riddled with several “what if” moments, most memorable being the costly dropped touchdown in the end zone by tight end Jackie Smith. Despite scoring two late touchdowns, the Cowboys came up short and became the first defending champion to lose the Super Bowl after scoring 30 or more points.
The ‘90s Dynasty: Triplets and Triumphs
After a championship drought, the ‘90s heralded a new era of dominance, marking the return of America’s Team. The Cowboys forced a Super Bowl record nine turnovers to dismantle the Bills. Troy Aikman threw four touchdown passes to win MVP honors. Despite the 52-17 blowout in Super Bowl XXVII (1992), the game was also remembered for Leon Lett’s infamous fumble just before crossing the goal line. This win launched the Cowboys’ ‘90s dynasty under head coach Jimmy Johnson.
In the only immediate rematch in Super Bowl history, the Cowboys repeated the feat by beating the Bills again in Super Bowl XXVIII (1993), 30-13. The Cowboys were behind 13-6 at halftime before scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half. Running back Emmitt Smith took over the game, rushing for 132 yards and two touchdowns to earn MVP honors. The victory made the Cowboys the fifth team to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Unfortunately, it was also the final game with Johnson as the Cowboys’ head coach.
The Cowboys became the first team ever to win three Super Bowls in four years, and they did so by finally getting revenge over the Steelers with a 27-17 victory in Super Bowl XXX. Cornerback Larry Brown was a late-game hero after picking off Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell in the fourth quarter to take home the MVP. This win was the Cowboys’ fifth and final Super Bowl win.
