Cowboys countdown to kickoff: Top 100 iconic games – Day 3

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 30: Emmitt Smith #22 of the Dallas Cowboys running with the ball gets hit by Keith Goganious #50 of the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXVIII on January 30, 1994 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Cowboys won the Super Bowl 30 -13. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It is Day 3 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff. We are looking back at the 100 most iconic games in Dallas Cowboys history. The countdown will leads us right up to the opening game of 2026. Our look back doesn't depend on just one criteria for our rankings. We take into consideration things like how big the game was for the organization, how memorable the game was, games that had unusual events take place, games that are a part of NFL lore, Cowboys firsts, and games where the Cowboys just plain dominated. Variety is the spice of life and we have all different kind of Cowboys games to review. At the bottom, we'll link each day of the countdown so you can go back and check out any you missed.

We're down to the final three of our 100-day countdown to kickoff, this time we revisit the night the Cowboys proved their return to the top of the NFL was no one-year achievement. Dallas trailed Buffalo at halftime, but James Washington changed the game with a defensive touchdown before Emmitt Smith took over completely at Super Bowl XXVIII.

Sunday, January 30, 1994 Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GeorgiaFinal Score: Dallas Cowboys 30, Buffalo Bills 13

This was a rematch of Super Bowl XXVII, and the Bills were appearing in an incredible fourth consecutive Super Bowl and were determined to avoid another defeat. Dallas had taken a much harder road back after beginning the season 0-2 during Smith's contract holdout, but Jimmy Johnson's team recovered to reach the championship game again.

The opening half belonged largely to the kickers. Eddie Murray put Dallas ahead with a 41-yard field goal before Steve Christie answered from 54 yards for Buffalo. Murray connected again from 24 yards, giving the Cowboys a 6-3 advantage after the first quarter.

Buffalo took control during the second quarter. Thurman Thomas scored on a four-yard run to give the Bills their first lead, and Christie added a 28-yard field goal as time expired. Dallas went into halftime trailing 13-6 having failed to score an offensive touchdown through the first two quarters.

Whatever was said during halftime produced an immediate response. Just 55 seconds into the third quarter, Leon Lett stripped Thomas of the football. James Washington scooped it up and raced 46 yards for a touchdown, instantly tying the score at 13-13 and completely changing the atmosphere inside the Georgia Dome.

Then came the drive that defined Smith's performance. Dallas began at its own 36-yard line, and the league MVP essentially told offensive coordinator Norv Turner to put the game in his hands. Smith carried seven times for 61 yards during an eight-play drive, including six consecutive runs, before breaking through for a 15-yard touchdown.

Dallas had suddenly transformed a seven-point halftime deficit into a 20-13 leadand from there Buffalo never recovered. Early in the fourth quarter, Washington struck again by reading Jim Kelly's pass over the middle and making an interception. His second major takeaway gave Dallas possession in Bills territory and provided Smith another opportunity to finish the job.

The Cowboys drove to the Buffalo goal line, but Smith was stopped on three consecutive attempts. Dallas faced fourth-and-goal from the one, and rather than getting clever, Johnson trusted his best player again. Smith powered across for his second touchdown, extending the lead to 27-13 with 9:50 remaining.

Murray added a 20-yard field goal with 2:50 left, completing the scoring. Buffalo had managed 13 points before halftime but was shut out throughout the entire second half. Dallas had gone from trailing 13-6 to winning 30-13 with a combination of defensive takeaways and physical running, taking complete control after the break.

Smith finished with 30 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns, including 92 rushing yards after halftime, and was named Super Bowl MVP. His third-quarter performance was the perfect example of what made the Cowboys so difficult to stop during this era when everyone knew the ball was going to number 22, Dallas still imposed its will.

This game belongs this high on the countdown because it showed the Cowboys dynasty operating at full strength. The previous championship had announced their arrival. This one proved they could handle being the team everyone was chasing, overcome adversity and win another title anyway. Dallas became only the fifth team at the time to win consecutive Super Bowls.

#Cowboys vs #Bills

1994
Super Bowl XXVIII

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 30, Buffalo Bills 13#DallasCowboys #NFL
(:@nfl) pic.twitter.com/FfdHpkdpLf

- Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) September 10, 2026

Interesting Facts About the Game

Smith completed an extraordinary individual season by becoming the NFL regular-season MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same year.

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