The Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to conference championship games. Despite the fact that the last time they played in one was in 1995, they have participated in 16 in their history posting and 8-8 record. Among those games were some epic battles that fueled the rivalry between the Cowboys and another prominent franchise, the San Francisco 49ers. Here is my list of the top 5 most memorable Dallas Cowboys Conference Championship games in franchise history.
5) January 17, 1993: Dallas Cowboys 30 San Francisco 49ers 20
The young, brash Dallas Cowboys led by Jimmy Johnson walked into a muddy candlestick park to face the 49ers juggernaut that finished 1st overall in 1992. Troy Aikman tossed 2 td’s and 300+ yards passing and Emmitt Smith ran for over 100 yards with one rushing TD and 1 TD reception. The Cowboys defense, led by ex-49er Charles Haley, punished league MVP Steve Young and the Cowboys upset San Francisco. That victory marked the beginning of the Cowboys dynasty of the 90’s.
4) January 15, 1995: Dallas Cowboys 28 San Francisco 49ers 38
This was the third consecutive year the 2 teams faced off in the NFC championship game. The Dallas Cowboys were the 2 time reigning Super Bowl Champions but during the offseason parted ways with Coach Jimmy Johnson following a disagreement with owner Jerry Jones. The 49ers meanwhile, revamped their defense adding former Cowboys LB Ken Norton JR and signing prized free agent CB Deon Sanders. The game was nearly over before it started with the Cowboys turning it over 3 times in the first quarter resulting in a 21-0 deficit. The Cowboys clawed their way back led by a 12 catch, 192 yard effort from WR Michael Irvin against Sanders who was the best cover corner in the game and the defensive player of the year. The game was sealed in part due to a controversial pass break-up from Deon Sanders on Irvin on a crucial third down late in the 4th quarter. Cowboys coach Barry Switzer stormed the field to argue pass interference but bumped an official resulting in a 15 yard penalty and Aikman was sacked on 4th down and long on the very next play.
3) January 23, 1994: Dallas Cowboys 38 San Francisco 49ers 21
This game was a one-sided affair as the defending champion Cowboys dominated from the opening whistle on route to winning their 2nd straight Lombardi trophy. The Cowboys jumped out to large 1st half lead and never trailed at any point in the game. While the game itself was not a memorable affair it makes this list because of the hype created by Jimmy Johnson’s famous guarantee of victory before the game and a scuffle between the 2 teams prior to kickoff.
2) January 10, 1982: Dallas Cowboys 27 San Francisco 49ers 28
The 49ers had never before defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the post-season and were down 27-21 with 4:54 left in the game. A young Joe Montana led the 49ers on a drive from their own 11 yard line and deep into Cowboys territory. With 51 seconds left in the game, Montana hit Dwight Clark in the back of the endzone on a play that has become known as “the catch”. That play launched the legendary career of Joe Montana and the 49ers dynasty of the 80’s. It also signaled the end of the great Cowboys dynasty of the 70’s.
1) December 31, 1967: Dallas Cowboys 17 Green Bay Packers 21
This game was played in temperatures well below freezing and is referred to as “The Ice Bowl”. It is considered one of the greatest games in NFL history. It was so cold on that New Years eve day, that the team bands’ instruments would not play, the referee’s could not use their whistles and several players suffered from Frost bite. Tom Landry‘s Cowboys had a 17-14 lead over Vince Lombardi’s Packers with 4:50 left in the game. The Packers drove the length of the field and Bart Starr lunged into the endzone with 16 seconds left, led by a perfectly executed block on DT Jethro Pugh from G Jerry Kramer and Center Ken Bowman, to win the game.
All statistics and information confirmed and verified from http://ww.profootballreference.com
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/playoffs.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501150sfo.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401230dal.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301170sfo.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198201100sfo.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196712310gnb.htm