Super Bowl XXVII

A record-shattering blowout: Dallas claims its third title with a 52-17 demolition of a three-time runner-up.

Super Bowl XXVII marked the triumphant return of the Dallas Cowboys to football's pinnacle, ending a fifteen-year championship drought. On January 31, 1993, at Pasadena's Rose Bowl—the last NFL title game held in a non-NFL stadium—Dallas crushed the Buffalo Bills 52–17. This victory secured the franchise's third Super Bowl win and tied the record for the fourth-highest scoring game ever with 69 combined points. The Bills, seeking to avoid losing three straight titles, instead became the first team to suffer that specific streak. The Cowboys' dominance was absolute, fueled by a historic defensive performance that capitalized on nine Buffalo turnovers.

Quick Facts

Visitor: Buffalo Bills
Home: Dallas Cowboys
Home coach: Jimmy Johnson
Home record: 13–3
Home place: 2
Visitor coach: Marv Levy
Visitor record: 11–5
Visitor place: 4

Facts from the source article.

Background

The game began as a clash between the NFC champion Cowboys, who finished 13–3, and the wild-card Bills, who posted an 11–5 record after losing tiebreakers. It was the first meeting between these franchises since 1984. The turning point arrived immediately: Dallas scored 35 points off a Super Bowl-record nine Buffalo turnovers, including three touchdowns in the first half alone. With the lead at 31–0 by halftime, the game seemed decided before the third quarter began. Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, injured during the regular-season finale against Houston, sat out the start; backup Frank Reich entered in the second quarter and threw a 40-yard touchdown on the final play of the third to cut the lead to 31–17. However, Dallas responded with three more fourth-quarter touchdowns, sealing a victory that tied Super Bowl XXXVII for the highest combined score in history.