Super Bowl XXVIII

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Lore & Background

After trailing 13–6 at halftime, the Cowboys scored 24 unanswered points in the second half. The Bills had built their lead off of running back Thurman Thomas' 4-yard touchdown run. But just 45 seconds into the third quarter, Thomas was stripped of the ball, and Dallas safety James Washington returned the fumble 46 yards for a touchdown to tie the game. From there, Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith, who was named the Super Bowl MVP, largely took over the game. On Dallas' next possession, Smith was handed the ball seven times on an eight-play, 64-yard drive that was capped off with his 15-yard touchdown run. He later scored on a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Overall, Smith had 30 carries for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also catching 4 passes for 26 yards.

In Their Own Story

Trailing 13–6 at halftime after a Thurman Thomas touchdown run, the Bills seemed poised for another victory. However, just 45 seconds into the third quarter, Thomas was stripped of the ball. Dallas safety James Washington returned the fumble 46 yards for a touchdown to tie the game, sparking a 24-point unanswered run by the Cowboys. Running back Emmitt Smith took over completely; on the next possession, he rushed seven times in an eight-play, 64-yard drive capped by his own 15-yard touchdown score. He added another 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Smith finished with 30 carries for 132 yards and two scores, plus four catches for 26 yards, earning him the Super Bowl MVP award. The Cowboys' offense efficiently dismantled Buffalo's struggling defense to seal a 30–13 victory.

Reader's Guide

The Cowboys' journey to Super Bowl XXVIII proved more difficult than the previous season. Pro Bowl running back Emmitt Smith held out the first two regular season games over a contract dispute, and Dallas lost both of those contests, including a 13–10 loss at home to the Bills. Pro Bowl quarterback Troy Aikman, along with a few other key players, missed games due to injuries. With Smith back in the starting lineup and Aikman healthy, Dallas went on to win their next seven games. Their winning streak was finally snapped against the Atlanta Falcons, with Aikman on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and Smith knocked out of the game after his first carry. They also lost their next game against Miami due to an infamous error by defensive lineman Leon Lett that enabled the Dolphins to kick a game-winning field goal, but then went on to win their remaining five games. The Bills finished at the top of the AFC by clinching the conference's best regular season record, winning 7 of their first 8 games and finished the season at 12–4.

Did You Know?

• This is the only time that the same two teams have met in consecutive Super Bowls.
• The Buffalo Bills became the only team to both play and lose four consecutive Super Bowls.
• The game was the first Super Bowl played in the state of Georgia and its capital Atlanta.
• Emmitt Smith was named Super Bowl MVP after rushing for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.