What are the best Dallas Cowboys teams of all-time? This historic franchise has won five Super Bowl titles. But one of those squads doesn’t rank in our top five.
When a franchise has some of the best players in NFL history, it’s hard to pick out just five. But that’s what we plan on doing here.
With Dallas looking to capture its sixth Lombardi Trophy this year, we look at the five best Dallas Cowboys teams of all-time.
Related: Sportsnaut’s NFL Playoff and Super Bowl predictions
5. 1968 Dallas Cowboys
- Dallas Cowboys 1968 record: 12-2
- Season results: Lost to Cleveland Browns in divisional round
Don Meredith’s stellar career with the Cowboys came to an end as they were defeated by an underdog Cleveland Browns squad in the divisional playoffs. The quarterback threw three interceptions on nine pass attempts before being pulled for Craig Morton in what was a 31-20 loss.
This doesn’t take away from how good Tom Landry’s squad was during the regular season. Dallas ranked first in points scored (30.8 per game) and second in points allowed (13.3 per game). The backfield combo of Don Perkins and Craig Baynham went for nearly 2,000 total yards. The same thing can be said about wide receivers Lance Rentzel and Bob Hayes.
Despite falling short of their ultimate goal, the Cowboys were absolutely loaded in 1968. That included three future Hall of Famers starting on defense.
4. 1995 Dallas Cowboys
- Dallas Cowboys 1995 record: 12-4
- Season results: Defeated Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX
After their ugly defeat against the rival San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game the previous season, the Cowboys sought to fortify their defense. That included signing away future Hall of Famer Deion Sanders from San Francisco. It worked out splendidly during the regular season with Dallas finishing third in both points scored and points allowed while outscoring its opponents by nearly 10 points per outing.
However, it was a little-named cornerback in that of Larry Brown who made the difference in Super Bowl XXX against Pittsburgh. He recorded two interceptions of Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell, including a pick-six. That was the difference in a 27-17 win for Dallas.
What defined this team the most was the sheer amount of talent it boasted clear across the board for head coach Barrry Switzer. We’re talking about a squad that boasted six future Hall of Famers. Unfortunately for Dallas, this season also represented the last time it advanced past the divisional round of the playoffs.
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3. 1993 Dallas Cowboys
- Dallas Cowboys 1993 record: 12-4
- Season results: Defeated Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII
The only Cowboys back-to-back run in franchise history was completed back in January of 1994 when they defeasted Buffalo in the Super Bowl for a second consecutive time. This game saw Emmitt Smith go for 132 yards and two touchdowns on the ground en route to winning MVP.
While the ’93 Cowboys were not as dominant as the previous year’s version, they still finished second in both scoring and points allowed. Smith was dominant with 1,900 total yards on the ground. Ken Norton Jr. and Darren Woodson headlined a defense that yielded 10 points or less six times during the regular season.
Unfortunately for fans in Big D, this would end up being Jimmy Johnson’s final season as the Cowboys’ head coach. He was fired by owner Jerry Jones due to a rift between the two. It remains one of the worst moves in the modern history of professional sports.
2. 1971 Dallas Cowboys
- Dallas Cowboys 1971 record: 11-3
- Season results: Defeated Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI
Dallas’ 1971 season began with Craig Morton starting over former Heisman winner Roger Staubach. It concluded with the latter starting a run that would lead to him being considered one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Staubach started 10 games during the regular season, winning all of them. He led the NFL in yards per attempt (8.9) and QB rating (104.8) while throwing 15 touchdowns compared to four interceptions. Dallas’ offense was also spearheaded by a backfield trio of Duane Thomas, Walt Garrison and Calvin Hill who combined for 2,500 total yards and 26 touchdowns.
Legitimately, one of the best Dallas Cowboys teams of all-time, Tom Landry’s squad averaged 29 points per game during the regular year. It outscored opponents by an average of two touchdowns per game. The roster also included seven future Hall of Fame starters.
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1. 1992 Dallas Cowboys
- Dallas Cowboys 1992 record: 13-3
- Season results: Defeated Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII
The fruits of Dallas’ rebuild were finally realized in 1992 with the organization winning its first Super Bowl since the Landy-led dynastic run of the 1970s. Those acquired in the Herschel Walker trade years prior played an absolutely huge rule in the Cowboys’ return to glory.
Dominance was the name of the game for Jimmy Johnson and Co. this season. The team won by an average of north of 10 points per game, finishing second in scoring and fifth in points allowed. After struggling to open his career, Troy Aikman put up a Pro Bowl performance. Emmitt Smith put up north of 2,000 total yards. Michael Irvin had nearly 1,400 receiving yards. The “Triplets” were born.
After having an easy time of it against the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Playoffs, Dallas dismantled a vastly inferior Bills team in Super Bowl XXVII. It was the second-largest Super Bowl win in league history with the ‘Boys coming out on top by the score of 52-17.
Bills quarterbacks were picked off four times. Aikman accounted for four touchdowns of his own. The end result was the best Dallas Cowboys team of all-time and the start of another dynasty.