1994 NFC Championship Game vs Cowboys

Background

Although the Cowboys eventually held a 451–294 advantage in total offensive yards, the 49ers converted three turnovers into 21 points in the first quarter as they eliminated the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys, 38–28. On the third play of the game, San Francisco cornerback Eric Davis intercepted Aikman's pass, plowing right through the intended target (receiver Kevin Williams) as he snagged the ball out of the air and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown.

On the next Dallas possession, Davis stripped the ball away from receiver Michael Irvin and fellow defensive back Tim McDonald recovered it on the Dallas 39, setting up a 29-yard touchdown pass from Young to running back Ricky Watters. Williams then fumbled the ensuing kickoff when hit by 49ers running back Adam Walker, and running back William Floyd later took the ball into the end zone from the 1-yard line to give his team a 21–0 lead with 7:33 left in the first quarter.

Schedule

Under new U.S. television broadcast contracts that began in the 1994 season, Fox replaced CBS as the broadcaster for most NFC playoff games. ABC continued to air the first two Wild Card playoff games, while NBC televised the remaining AFC games. ABC also broadcast Super Bowl XXIX. In the Wild Card round, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Detroit Lions 16–12. The Packers defense held Lions running back Barry Sanders to −1 rushing yards, and Detroit set a postseason record with −4 total rushing yards. Packers quarterback Brett Favre completed key passes, and kicker Chris Jacke made field goals of 51 and 28 yards. Detroit scored on a 3-yard pass from Dave Krieg to Brett Perriman and a 38-yard field goal by Jason Hanson, but could not overcome the deficit.