1993 NFC Championship Game

Lore & Background

The 49ers kept it close in the 2nd quarter, as Steve Young tossed a touchdown pass to Tom Rathman to tie the game at 7. But the Cowboys exploded with 21 consecutive points to go up 28–7 at halftime. The game was put out of reach late in the 3rd quarter when a 42-yard touchdown pass from Bernie Kosar to Alvin Harper put the Cowboys up 35–14. With the loss, the 49ers finished the year at a disappointing 11–7.

In Their Own Story

Gale-force winds whipped off San Francisco Bay, chilling the faithful at Candlestick Park as the fourth quarter bled away. The score hung precariously in the balance until Watters took the handoff. Seeking a seam, he was swallowed by the Dallas swarm; the ball popped loose into the turf. In that chaotic instant, the 49ers' bid for back-to-back glory crumbled. As Cowboys players erupted around the fumble recovery, a heavy silence settled over the home crowd—a chilling signal that even titans can fall.

Reader's Guide

The game was the NFC Championship for the 1993 season. The 49ers were the #2 seed and the Cowboys were the #1 seed. The 49ers had a 10–6 regular-season record and won the NFC West. The Cowboys had a 12–4 record and won the NFC East.

Did You Know?

• The 49ers appeared in the NFC Championship Game for the second consecutive season and for the fifth time in six seasons.
• The 49ers' 10–6 regular-season record earned them the #2 seed and a first-round bye.
• The Cowboys had the #1 seed and a first-round bye.