NFC Championship (1970)

Lore & Background

Following the 1970 realignment, the Cowboys found themselves in the newly formed NFC East, while their historic rivalries expanded across conference lines. The path to the 1970 NFC Championship was paved with a dominant regular season and a playoff victory over the Detroit Lions. However, the true test awaited at home against the San Francisco 49ers, a team that had reached the Super Bowl just two years prior under coach Dick Nolan. The game became a showcase of defensive dominance.

The Cowboys' 'Doomsday Defense,' featuring future Hall of Famers like Bob Lilly, Chuck Howley, and Rayfield Wright, suffocated the 49er attack. While the offense struggled to find rhythm, the defense stepped up in critical moments, forcing turnovers and holding the line when it mattered most. This victory was more than just a game; it was a declaration that Dallas belonged at the summit of professional football. Despite the triumph, the narrative of this era is often tinged with the bittersweet reality of Super Bowl V, where the Cowboys would fall to the Baltimore Colts in a heart-stopping finish.

Yet, the 1970 NFC Championship remains a foundational pillar of the franchise's identity, proving that the team could win the hardest games on their home turf and establishing the standard of excellence that would define the decade.

Reader's Guide

The achievement of winning the 1970 NFC Championship was a watershed moment for the Dallas Cowboys franchise. Occurring in January 1971, this victory marked the team's first-ever appearance in the conference championship game since the NFL-AFL merger reorganized the league structure into two distinct conferences. It validated the new playoff format and proved that Dallas could thrive under the pressure of national scrutiny.