1992 NFC Championship Game
Dallas won at Candlestick 30–20 to reach its first Super Bowl since 1978.
The 1992 NFC Championship Game was played on January 17, 1993, at Candlestick Park, where the Dallas Cowboys defeated the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers 30–20 to clinch their first Super Bowl berth since 1978. Although the Cowboys had only one more yard of total offense than the 49ers (416–415), Dallas forced four critical turnovers that helped them earn the win. They went on to defeat the Buffalo Bills 52–17 in Super Bowl XXVII.
Quick Facts
- Dates
- January 2–31, 1993
- Season
- 1992
- Teams
- 12
- Matches
- 11
- Title game name
- Super Bowl XXVII
- Stadium
- Rose Bowl
- Location
- Pasadena, California
- Defending champions
- Washington Redskins
Facts from the source article.
Background
After a Lin Elliott field goal and a Steve Young touchdown run, Emmitt Smith's 4-yard touchdown gave Dallas a 10–7 lead, and the game was tied at 10 at halftime. Dallas opened the second half with a 78-yard drive, featuring a 38-yard leaping catch by Alvin Harper, that ended in Daryl Johnston's 3-yard touchdown run, and a nine-minute 79-yard drive capped by Aikman's 16-yard touchdown pass to Smith made it 24–13.
Jerry Rice's 5-yard touchdown catch cut the lead to 24–20 with 4:22 left, but on the next play Aikman threw a 14-yard pass to Harper, who ran for a 70-yard gain to the 49ers 9-yard line. Kelvin Martin's 6-yard touchdown reception made it 30–20, and James Washington intercepted Young at the two-minute warning.
Did You Know?
- In the post-game locker room, cameras caught Jimmy Johnson saying "How 'bout them Cowboys!", which became a popular expression.
- The game stood as the Cowboys' last road playoff win until the 2022–23 playoffs.
- It was later featured on NFL's Greatest Games as "Changing of the Guard".
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