Bradley Ruzicka

Headline: Signing free agent Reggie White, a new reception record for Sterling Sharpe, a second consecutive winning season, and playoff success for the Green Bay Packers.

Regular Season Record: 9 – 7 (Second Place NFC Central Division)

Offseason Highlights: In an effort to enhance what had been for many years a very average defense, as well as provide veteran leadership to a young football team, Ron Wolf made his next major move as Green Bay Packers’ General Manager by signing free agent DE Reggie White to a four year, $17 million deal on March 1 1993, one of the biggest offseason moves in Green Bay history.

After starting his professional career with the United States Football League’s Memphis Showboats in 1984, White was selected in the first round of the 1984 Supplemental Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He subsequently played with Philadelphia for eight seasons, beginning in 1985, during which time he picked up 124 sacks, becoming the Eagles’ all-time sack leader. He also set the Eagles’ regular season record with 21 sacks in a single season in 1987, becoming the only player ever to accumulate 20 or more sacks in just 12 games. He also set an NFL regular season record during 1987 by averaging the most sacks per game (1.75). The lowest number of sacks White ever recorded in Philadelphia was 11 in 1989.

At 6-5 and 290 lbs, White had become a feared pass rusher who altered other teams’ offensive strategy. While Green Bay bid for White after he became an unrestricted free agent in 1993, the first year NFL players were able to do so under the new collective bargaining agreement, it didn’t seem likely they’d sign him. Free agents were showing a preference for warm weather climates and, with franchise’s dismal record over the past 25 years, Green Bay was not exactly a preferred destination for players. However, White was attracted to the Packers due to their tradition of winning championships, the image of Vince Lombardi, and the long history of the team in the NFL. Yet, had it not been for the personal relationship that White established with Head Coach Mike Holmgren, the deal would never have been done. Said White’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, “…if I had to pick one thing he [White] liked most about Green Bay, Holmgren was it.”

White said he was awed strolling around team buildings and soaking in the past. “I walk through the Packers’ Hall of Fame and see all of Lombardi’s words and all the players who made this a great team, and its a special feeling.” he said. “The atmosphere and the history, it’s just unbelievable. You truly get an appreciation for what football means here.” Said Sexton, “They [Green Bay] were smart enough and perceptive enough to know that Reggie was a relationship guy. They sold him on the fact that it’s like a big college atmosphere. He was coming out of a place [Philadelphia} where it wasn’t fun for him the last couple years.”

Of course, the money was a major factor as well. This was the first time in NFL history that players could take advantage of true free agency, and the size of White’s deal was unprecedented. Said Chief Financial Officer Mike Reinfeldt, “Seventeen million, yes, that was unheard of, but I think it was within our means. Salaries were increasing, but it wasn’t like we had an All-Star laden team. The [salary] cap didn’t hit until the next year. We felt we had ability to maneuver under the cap and make it work. We weren’t going to do something that wasn’t going to work.” Reinfelt continued, “I think the other thing we did that was kind of unique … we might have been the first to do. It was a four-year, $17 million deal, but he got paid nine million the first year. He was front-loaded big time. Think of that. He was getting [$1.5 million a year his last season in Philadelphia] then all of a sudden, he’s getting nine million. There’s a $4.5 million signing bonus, $4.5 million salary … over half his contract in the first year.”

White immediately became the cornerstone of the Packers’ defense, playing a total of six seasons with Green Bay, starting in 92 out of 95 games, recording 68.5 sacks (second all time in Packers’ history), before retiring in 2000 after a single season with the Carolina Panthers. The two time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 13 time Pro Bowl, and 13 time All-Pro selection holds second place all-time among career sack leaders with 198, behind only Buffalo Bills’ DE Bruce Smith’s 200 career sacks, and was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.

Two additional 1993 acquisitions would contribute to Green Bay’s success during the 1990s, seven year veteran free agent S Mike Prior, and rookie free agent DT Gilbert Brown.

Mike Prior played his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1985, and the next six seasons for the Indianapolis Colts, before playing his last five seasons with the Packers, ending his 13 year career after the 1998 season. In his 96 games with Green Bay, he returned 28 punts for 266 yards, forced seven fumbles, and had eight interceptions. Additionally, Prior’s three postseason interceptions ties him for second place in Packers’ annals.

Gilbert Brown was the 79th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1993 draft, but was waived during the final roster cutdowns on August 30 due to his weight. He was listed at 315 in college, but showed up to Vikings camp at a hefty 355. However, Green Bay, desperate for defensive linemen, picked him up on August 31. Brown played in just two games during the 1993 season, while he worked off some of his weight in practice. In 1994, he played in 13 games with one start, but his season was cut short with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Again in 1995, he played in 13 games, this time starting seven times, but an elbow injury cut that season short. In 1996, he started all 16 games as part of a defensive unit that allowed a league record low 19 touchdowns. Brown had a career high 51 tackles and his first complete season. Brown was a highly sought after free agent after the 1996 season, but elected to stay with Green Bay.

After starting 12 games in 1997 and all 16 games during the 1998 and 1999 seasons, he spent the 2000 season out of football after his contract with the Packers was not renewed. Before the 2001 training camp, he worked out and subsequently returned to Green Bay for training camp, at a perceptibly more svelte 339 pounds, once again equipped with his former quickness. Brown had two good years after his return to football. He ruptured a biceps during the 2003 pre-season, but still started 14 games without having surgery, recording 14 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one pass defensed. Brown was released prior to the 2004 season and subsequently retired, having played in 125 games (103 starts) with 292 tackles (186 solo) and 7 sacks. He also played in 15 playoff games. In franchise history, only QB Brett Favre (22) has more.

Green Bay’s 1993 draft yielded five players of note; 1st round selections LB Wayne Simmons from Clemson (15th overall) and DB George Teague out of Alabama (29th overall), 3rd round selection OT Earl Dotson out of Texas A&M (81st overall), 5th round selection QB Mark Brunell out of the University of Washington (118th overall), and 6th round selection CB Doug Evans from Louisiana Tech University (141st overall).

Wayne Simmons played over four seasons with Green Bay, starting 47 out of 64 games, totaling 7.5 sacks, before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1997 season, ending his six year career in 1998. George Teague played only three seasons with the Packers, starting 43 out of 47 games, intercepting six passes, before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons at the end of the 1995 season, ending his nine year career with the Dallas Cowboys in 2001. Mark Brunell would play only two years as a backup in Green Bay, before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995, where he would be their starter for the next nine seasons, holding all of Jacksonville passing records at the time he was traded to the Washington Redskins in 2004. Brunell ended his 16 year career with the New York Jets in 2011. Earl Dotson played his entire 10 year career with the Packers, starting 88 out of 120 games, before retiring in 2002. Doug Evans started 62 out of 79 games during his five year Packers’ career, intercepting 12 passes, recording 6 sacks, and forcing 7 fumbles, before joining the Carolina Panthers as a free agent in 1998, ending his 11 year career with the Seattle Seahawks in 2003.

Overall, four players selected in 1993 NFL Draft would ultimately be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including the 8th overall selection, Louisiana Tech OT Willie Roaf (New Orleans Saints), the 10th overall selection, Notre Dame RB Jerome Bettis (Los Angeles Rams), the 40th overall selection, Texas Southern DE Michael Strahan (New York Giants), and the 74th overall selection, Nebraska OG Will Shields (Kansas City Chiefs).

Of note, 1993 would be the only season in league history where all NFL teams played their 16 game schedule over a span of 18 weeks. After the success of expanding the regular season to a period of 17 weeks in 1990, the league hoped this new schedule would generate even more revenue. However, teams felt that having two weeks off during the regular season was too disruptive for their weekly routines, and thus the NFL reverted back to 17 weeks immediately after the season ended. Also, when the new TV contracts were signed in December 1993, long time NFL broadcast partner CBS lost their NFL broadcasting rights to the then fledgling Fox Network.

Finally, Green Bay commemorated their 75th overall season of professional football in 1993 with a “75” logo uniform patch, one year before the NFL’s diamond anniversary.

Regular Season Highlights: The Packers repeated their 9-7 record from the season before, the first time since 1966-67 that the team had two straight winning seasons, good for third place behind the 10-6 Detroit Lions and the 9-7 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Central division. Minnesota finished ahead of Green Bay in the NFC Central based on a head-to-head sweep. However, unlike 1992, there was a special aspect to the 1993 season. Green Bay had qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the strike shortened 1982 season, starting a streak of six consecutive playoff berths in the 1990s.

At one point, Green Bay was sitting at 1-3, losing three straight after an opening day victory over the Los Angeles Rams. However, it was here that free agent acquisition Reggie White would prove his worth. Late in the Packers fifth game of the season against the Denver Broncos, with Green Bay holding a slim 30-27 lead, the Broncos intercepted a Favre pass to set-up first down on the Packers 43 yard line, with two minutes, five seconds remaining in the game. With Green Bay facing at least a tie game, White proceeded to sack QB John Elway on consecutive plays for loses of eight and 14 yards, ending the threat and giving the Packers a crucial win. Green Bay subsequently tore off a 5-1 stretch to improve their record to 7-4, including a three game winning streak, while defeating four conference opponents. Their sole loss was to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10. Although Green Bay finished only 2-3 down the stretch, they made the playoffs despite losing to Detroit at home, 30-20, to finish the regular season.

In his third year as a pro and second with Green Bay, QB Brett Favre led the Packers’ offense, completing 318 out of 522 attempts for 3,303 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions, for an overall QB Rating of 72.2. Favre, playing his first full season, was selected to his second Pro Bowl, finishing 2nd overall in passes completed and passes attempted, 5th overall in passing touchdowns, and 6th overall in passing yardage. However, Farve also finished 1st in the NFL in passes intercepted. After six years, former starting QB Don Majkowski left the team prior to the start of the 1993 season, signing as a free agent with the Indianapolis Colts. Majkowski finished his Packers’ career with 889 completions out of 1,607 attempts (55.3%) for 10,870 yards, 56 touchdowns, 56 interceptions, and an overall QB Rating of 73.5. Second year QB Ty Detmer became Favre’s backup, attempting only five passes in 1993.

For Favre and Head Coach Mike Holmgren, 1993 proved to be the year where, despite Favre’s free lancing tendencies and Holmgren’s initial uncertainties after Farve was acquired in 1992, Holmgren decided to commit to Favre as Green Bay’s starting quarterback. Said Holmgren, “We reached a point in 1993, when we had drafted Mark (Brunell). He was the other side of the coin, he was precise, he was controlled, and he was talented, he did great things. We had lost a game and Brett had done something and the staff was really (upset). I went around the room, asking them about the quarterback thing, how they felt. And quite honestly, other than (quarterbacks coach Steve) Mariucci, there was a lot of sentiment there to switch (to Brunell), there really was. … That evening I thought about it, and the next day I said: ‘Nah.’ I called Brett in, and I did say this to him, and I believe this, with Brett Favre or any other quarterback, the coach has to commit, and then, I’ve got to make him good. … I told him: ‘Either way; we’re going to wind up at the top of the mountain together, or we’re going to wind up in the dumpster together, but we’re going to be together.”

WR Sterling Sharpe caught 112 passes, breaking his own franchise record set the previous year (108). He caught 10 passes in three different games, while tallying 1,274 receiving yards, again finishing 1st in the NFL in receptions, while finishing 3rd overall in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns (11). RB Darrell Thompson led Green Bay in rushing with 654 yards in 169 attempts (3.9 yards per attempt) and 3 touchdowns, followed closely by second year RB Edgar Bennett, with 550 yards in 159 attempts and 9 touchdowns, tying RBs Ronald Moore (Phoenix Cardinals) and Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys) for 3rd overall in rushing touchdowns. Bennett also finished second in receptions, with 59 catches for 457 yards and one touchdown.

1993 also saw DB LeRoy Butler introduce the “Lambeau Leap” by spontaneously jumping into the stands after scoring a touchdown. The famous celebration, in which Packers’ players who score touchdowns jump into the end zone stands to celebrate briefly with fans, got its start on December 26 1993 against the Los Angeles Raiders. Butler tackled QB Vince Evans hard, causing a fumble. The ball bounced to DE Reggie White, who lumbered along and then tossed a lateral to Butler, who took the ball in for a touchdown. He was so excited that he leapt up to the fans. Fans loved the bonding move but, since it was ironically started by a defensive player, it took Butlers’ teammate, WR Robert Brooks, to really popularize the move. The Lambeau Leap has remained a Packer staple after touchdowns ever since.

Overall, Green Bay finished 22st in rushing, 18th in passing, and 6th in total offense, scoring 340 points. Defensively, the Packers, with the addition of White, improved significantly over 1992, finishing 8th against the run, 7th against the pass, and 9th in total defense, allowing 282 points. Head coach Mike Holmgren was able to put the 1993 defensive performance in practical perspective. White “made us a better football team, no question about it”, with a team leading 13 sacks. Prior to 1993, no Green Bay defensive lineman had had more than five sacks in a single season since 1985.

The World Champion Dallas Cowboys finished with the NFC’s best record at 12-4, winning the NFC East title and the NFC’s top playoff seed. The San Francisco 49ers won the NFC West title, and Detroit won the NFC Central title, both with a 10-6 record. San Francisco was the second and Detroit the third NFC playoff seed based on the 49ers head-to-head victory over the Lions. The 11-5 New York Giants (fourth seed), Minnesota (fifth seed), and Green Bay (sixth seed) were the NFC’s Wild Card teams.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Oilers tied for the AFCs’ best record, as well as for the NFL’s best record with the Dallas Cowboys, at 12-4. AFC East Champion Buffalo won the top playoff seed over AFC Central Champion and second seed Houston by virtue of their head-to-head victory over the Oilers. The 11-5 Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC West title and the AFC’s third seed. The 10-6 Los Angeles Raiders (fourth seed), the Denver Broncos (fifth seed), and the Pittsburgh Steelers (sixth seed) were the AFC’s Wild Card teams, with Denver and Pittsburgh both finishing 9-7. Denver was the second AFC Wild Card ahead of Pittsburgh based on a better conference record (8-4 to Steelers’ 7-5). Pittsburgh was the third AFC Wild Card based on their head-to-head victory over the 9-7 Miami Dolphins.

For Kansas City, 1993 was arguably their best season in 22 years, after Chiefs’ General Manager Carl Peterson acquired two former Super Bowl MVPs in one fell swoop prior to the beginning of the season. On April 20, QB Joe Montana, along with S David Whitmore and a 1994 3rd round draft pick, were traded by San Francisco in exchange for Kansas City’s 1993 1st round draft pick (18th overall). A few months later, on June 9, the Chiefs signed unrestricted free agent RB Marcus Allen from the Raiders. In a  single offseason, Kansas City had acquired both a proven passer and a proven running back, to complement their already powerful defense.

Montana had missed the entire 1991 season and most of the 1992 season with an elbow injury sustained during the 1991 pre-season. In the final game of the 1992 regular season, a Monday Night Football matchup against the Detroit Lions, Montana stepped in and played the entire second half. Despite missing nearly two full seasons, Montana proved to be very effective, sealing the victory with “insurance points”. By this time, however, Steve Young had established himself as a starter and took over for the playoffs. Though it was not known at the time, Montana would not see another snap in a 49er uniform.

With Montana healthy and ready to play, a quarterback controversy soon emerged. Steve Young had proven his effectiveness in the two years Montana was injured, and many fans and players alike felt that the 49ers had made the transition to Young. Furthermore, Young did not want to play if he were to be used only as a backup. But there was also a strong sentiment that Montana was the “face of the franchise”, and it would be right for him to remain so. A rift developed in the locker room, prompting Montana to request, and receive, a trade to Kansas City. Although Montana was injured for part of the 1993 season, he was still selected to play in what would be his final Pro Bowl.

Meanwhile, despite having tremendous success early in his career as a member of the Raiders, Allen endured a stormy relationship with Owner Al Davis, stemming from a contract dispute, where Davis referred to Allen as a “cancer to the team”. Allen missed most of the 1989 season with a knee injury, and was subsequently relegated to backup duty in his final three seasons with the Raiders, falling at one point to fourth on the depth chart. Allen’s strained relationship with Davis reached an all time low in December 1992.

During halftime of the 1992 Raiders-Dolphins game on Monday Night Football, a taped interview between Al Michaels and Allen was broadcast, with Allen stating that Davis “told me he was going to get me.” Allen further stated, “I think he [Davis] tried to ruin the latter part of my career, tried to devalue me. He’s trying to stop me from going to the Hall of Fame. They don’t want me to play.” When his contract expired at the end of the 1992 season, Allen decided to join Kansas City, one of the Raiders most hated rivals, as a free agent. Although only rushing for 764 yards, Allen scored 12 touchdowns, and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

For New York and Denver, 1993 saw both return to the playoffs with new head coaches. The Giants fired second year Head Coach Ray Handley after the 1992 season and a 14-18 overall record, replacing him with former Broncos’ Head Coach Dan Reeves, who earlier had been fired by Denver after 12 seasons and a 110-73-1 record. Reeves was subsequently replaced by Broncos’ Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips.

Lastly, Dallas RB Emmitt Smith won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award. San Francisco WR Jerry Rice won Offensive Player of the Year, while Pittsburgh DB Rod Woodson won Defensive Player of the Year. Los Angeles Rams’ RB Jerome Bettis won Offensive Rookie of the Year, while San Francisco DT Dana Stubblefield won Defensive Rookie of the Year. New York’s new Head Coach, Dan Reeves, won Coach of the Year.

Post Season Highlights: In the AFC Wild Card Playoffs, the sixth seed Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Arrowhead Stadium to play the AFC West Champion and third seed Kansas City Chiefs, while the fourth seed Los Angeles Raiders hosted the fifth seed Denver Broncos in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. In the NFC, the fourth seed New York Giants hosted the fifth seed Minnesota Vikings in Giants Stadium, while the AFC Central Champion and third seed Detroit Lions hosted the sixth seed Green Bay Packers in the Pontiac Silverdome. The winners would advance to their respective Divisional Playoffs.

On January 8 1994, Kansas City Chiefs’ K Nick Lowery made the winning 32 yard field goal after 11:03 of overtime, to earn a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game in which both teams combined for 770 yards, no fumbles lost, and no interceptions.

Pittsburgh scored first by driving 66 yards, featuring a 32 yard reception by RB Merril Hoge, and scoring on QB Neil O’Donnell’s 10 yard pass to TE Adrian Cooper for a 7-0 lead. Later in the first quarter, Kansas City drove 75 yards in 7 plays, and tied the game, 7-7, after backup QB Dave Krieg, who temporarily replaced injured starter Joe Montana, threw a 23 yard touchdown to WR J.J. Birden. The Steelers responded with a long 15 play drive to retake the lead, on K Gary Anderson’s 30 yard field goal, making the score 10-7.

After a punt, Pittsburgh drove back to the Chiefs 35 yard line, only to turn the ball over on downs. Kansas City then took over and drove to the Steelers 42 yard line but, on 4th and 1, Pittsburgh sacked Montana for a seven yard loss, giving the Steelers the ball on their own 49 yard line with under a minute left. Pittsburgh made the most of their opportunity, scoring on O’Donnell’s 26 yard touchdown completion to WR Ernie Mills, increasing their lead to 17-7 at the end of the half. Most of the third quarter was a defensive struggle, until the Chiefs put together a 49 yard drive to score on Lowrey’s 23 yard field goal, cutting the Steeler lead to 17-10.

In the fourth quarter, Montana connected with WR Willie Davis for 22 yards and Birden for 19 yards, on the way to RB Marcus Allen’s 2 yard touchdown, that tied the game at 17-17. O’Donnell led the Steelers right back, completing a 26 yard pass to WR Dwight Stone, before hooking up with WR Eric Green for a 22 yard touchdown, to retake the lead, 24-17. In the final minutes of regulation, Kansas City blocked a Pittsburgh punt and returned the ball 31 yards to the Steelers 9 yard line. On fourth down, Montana threw a 7 yard touchdown pass to WR Tim Barnett, tying the game at 24-24 with 1:43 left in the game.

After forcing Pittsburgh to punt, Kansas City drove 47 yards to set up Lowery’s 43 yard field-goal attempt in the closing seconds. However, the kick was wide right, and the game went into overtime. Kansas City won the coin toss to receive the overtime kickoff, but went three and out. Pittsburgh then drove to midfield before they also had to punt. At this point, Montana completed several passes, including an 18 yarder to TE Keith Cash, to move the Chiefs into position for Lowrey’s game winning score, and a 27-24 victory.

Meanwhile, in Week 17, the Detroit Lions had defeated the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field, intercepting QB Brett Favre four times, and winning despite playing without their offensive star, RB Barry Sanders. The win gave them homefield advantage for this game. But even though Sanders recovered from his injury in time for the playoffs, this time the Packers won, overcoming a 17-7 third quarter deficit, and pulling ahead on Favre’s 40 yard game winning touchdown pass to WR Sterling Sharpe with 55 seconds left, despite being outgained in total yardage, 410-293.

Detroit held the ball for over 10 minutes in the first quarter, but could only score three points. Early in the game, a 25 yard run by Sanders, plus an additional 15 yard penalty, sparked a drive deep into Green Bay territory. However, it ended with no points, when the Packers intercepted a pass from QB Erik Kramer in the end zone. After forcing a Green Bay punt, the Lions drove back down the field, mostly on receptions by TE Brett Perriman from Kramer, scoring on K Jason Hanson’s 47 yard field goal on the last play of the first quarter, for a 3-0 lead. Green Bay responded to the field goal with Favre’s 12 yard touchdown pass to Sharpe, and a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter.

Green Bay caught a break when their subsequent kickoff hit the ground near the sideline, bounced into KR Mel Gray, and then bounced out of bounds at the Lions 5 yard line. But it didn’t stop Detroit, as they drove 95 yards, featuring a 44 yard run by Sanders and a 13 yard third down conversion reception by Perriman, scoring on Perriman’s one handed 1 yard reception from Kramer, to take a 10-7 lead at the end of the half. Midway through the third period, the Lions added to their lead, when Jim Arnold’s punt pinned Green Bay back at their own 5 yard line. Two plays later, Detroit DB Melvin Jenkins intercepted a Farve pass and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown, to extend the Lions’ advantage, 17-7.

But the Packers countered with a 28 yard touchdown pass from Favre to Sharpe, to cut the Lions lead to 17-14. Then, with Detroit deep inside Green Bay territory, Packers rookie S George Teague intercepted Kramer’s pass in the end zone, returning it a playoff record 101 yards, to give the Packers a 21-17 lead. But, on their very next drive, the Lions would regain the lead, 24-21, on RB Derrick Moore’s 5 yard touchdown with 8:27 left in the fourth quarter. KR Corey Harris’ 45 yard kickoff return gave the Packers good field position, but they were unable to take advantage, and had to punt after a demoralizing third down play in which Favre overthrew wide open free agent acquisition, WR Mark Clayton, near the end zone.

After forcing the Lions to punt, WR Robert Brooks’ 21 yard return gave Green Bay the ball on their own 29 yard line with 2:24 left in regulation. Favre started off the drive with an 11 yard completion to RB Edgar Bennett. His next pass to TE Ed West moved the ball to midfield, and he followed it up with a completion to Sharpe on the Lions 40 yard line. On the next play, he took the snap and ran left. DB Kevin Scott, who was covering Sharpe one-on-one along the right sideline, slowed down a bit when he saw Favre running, just enough for Sharpe to pull ahead of him, and Favre launched a 40 yard cross-field pass to Sharpe in the end zone for the game winning score, and a 28-24 victory. Responsible estimates were that Favre’s pass traveled approximately 75 yards in the air. The win was Green Bay’s first since 1982, and only their second playoff victory since 1967.

On January 9, a howling, gusting wind dominated the game as both teams could only score a combined 27 points. However, the New York Giants managed to score two touchdowns, both by RB Rodney Hampton, in the third quarter, to pull ahead of the Minnesota Vikings for good.

New York had the wind at their back in the first quarter, but could only score on K David Treadwell’s 26 yard field goal on their opening drive, for a 3-0 lead. In the second quarter, they had another chance to score, but WR Mark Jackson dropped a pass on 3rd and 2 from Minnesota’s 17 yard line, and Treadwell subsequently missed a 34 yard field goal attempt wide left. Meanwhile, the Vikings took advantage and went up 7-3, on QB Jim McMahon’s 40 yard pass to WR Cris Carter.

Near the end of the half, Giants’ QB Phil Simms threw a third down pass to RB Dave Meggett that lost nine yards, bringing up 4th and 19 from the New York 23 yard line. On the next play, P Mike Horan shanked a kick that went right into the back of teammate Greg Jackson, a blocker in the backfield, enabling the Vikings to take over on the Giants 36 yard line with 29 seconds left in the half. K Fuad Reveiz’s franchise post-season record 52 yard field goal just before time expired gave Minnesota a 10-3 halftime lead.

The Giants had the wind again in the third quarter and, on their first drive of the second half, Hampton scored on a 51 yard rushing touchdown, the longest run in Giants post-season history, tying the game at 10-10. Then, Harry Newsome’s punt went just 21 yards to the Minnesota 26 yard line. Hampton subsequently converted a 4th and 1 situation with a 2 yard run, and rushed for 5 yards on 3rd and 2, as the team drove to another touchdown on his 2 yard score. On the extra point attempt, the snap sailed right through Horan’s hands, and went right into the arms of Treadwell, who managed to run the ball into the end zone for a successful conversion, giving New York a 17-10 lead.

Although the Vikings held the wind advantage again during the final period, the Giants defense managed to shut them down to preserve the victory. Minnesota had a great chance to tie the game, when Carter caught a deep pass from backup QB Sean Salisbury, and appeared to be on his way to a sure touchdown. But S Myron Guyton caught up with Carter from behind and knocked the ball out of his hands. Jackson recovered it for the Giants on the Vikings 15 yard line to put the game away, sealing New York’s 17-10 victory.

Later in the day, after a 21-21 tie at halftime, Los Angeles Raiders’ RB Napoleon McCallum scored three rushing touchdowns in the second half, to lead his team to victory over the Denver Broncos.

Los Angeles opened up the scoring on their second drive, with former New York Giant QB Jeff Hosteler completing a 23 yard pass to WR Alexander Wright and a 45 yarder to WR James Jett, before finishing the drive with a 9 yard touchdown toss to TE Ethan Horton, for a 7-0 lead. Denver responded by driving 66 yards, including a 17 yard burst by RB Robert Delpino and a facemask penalty that added another 15 yards, to tie the game, 7-7, on QB John Elway’s 23 yard touchdown pass to TE Shannon Sharpe. But the tie only lasted a few minutes, when Hostetler gave the Raiders a 14-7 lead with a 65 yard touchdown completion to WR Tim Brown.

In the second quarter, Elway threw a 16 yard touchdown pass to TE Reggie Johnson at the end of a 12 play drive, to again tie the game at 14-14. But Hostetler promptly regained the lead for the Raiders, 21-14, with a 54 yard touchdown bomb to Jett. Still, Elway rallied Denver back, completing 8 out of 10 passes for 66 yards on a 13 play, 77 yard drive, the last one a 6 yard score to Russell, tying the game at 21-21 with just 32 seconds left in the half. In the first half alone, Elway completed 18 out of 25 passes for 199 yards, while Hostetler completed 6 out of 9 passes for 202 yards, with each throwing three touchdowns.

In the second half, Los Angeles proceeded to dominate the game. First, Tom Rouen’s 30 yard punt enabled Los Angeles to take over the ball at the Denver 35 yard line, setting up McCallum’s 26 yard touchdown for a 28-21 lead. After another short punt by the Broncos allowed the Raiders to take over at the Denver 48 yard line, Hostetler’s 33 yard pass to Horton enabled McCallum to rush for a 2 yard touchdown, extending Los Angeles’ lead to 35-21. After Broncos K Jason Elam made a 23 yard field goal to cut that lead to 35-24, the Raiders marched 76 yards in the fourth quarter to score on McCallum’s 1 yard touchdown, and clinch a 42-24 victory.

Hostetler had one of the best performances of his career, completing 13 of 19 passes for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns. Elway, meanwhile, completed 29 of 47 passes for 302 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Sharp tied a playoff record with 13 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown. Jett caught 3 passes for 111 yards and a score. This would be the last NFL playoff game played in the city of Los Angeles until 2017.

In the Divisional Playoffs, the AFC East Champion and top seed Buffalo Bills hosted the fourth seed Los Angeles Raiders in Rich Stadium, while the fourth seed New York Giants traveled to Candlestick Park to play the NFC West Champion and second seed San Francisco 49ers. Meanwhile, the NFC East Champion and top seed Dallas Cowboys hosted the sixth seed Green Bay Packers in Texas Stadium, while the AFC West Champion and third seed Kansas City Chiefs traveled to the Astrodome to play the AFC Central Champion and second seed Houston Oilers. The winners would advance to their respective Conference Championship games.

On January 15, in one of the coldest games in NFL history, the Buffalo Bills overcame a 17-13 Los Angeles Raiders’ lead by scoring three times in a span of 6:18 in the second half.

Los Angeles got the first scoring opportunity of the game, when QB Jeff Hostelter’s first pass of the game was complete to WR Tyrone Montgomery for a 19 yard gain to the Bufflo 29 yard line. But a third down sack by the Bills halted the drive, and K Jeff Jaeger missed a 47 yard field goal attempt. Buffalo then took over and drove to the Raiders 30 yard line, but also came up empty, when QB Jim Kelly threw an incompletion on a 4th and 1 conversion attempt. After the turnover, Hostetler threw a 36 yard completion to TE Ethan Horton and a 12 yard completion to RB Nick Bell, on the way to a 30 yard field goal by Jaeger, giving Los Angeles a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter.

But Buffalo quickly stormed back, with a huge play from special teams expert Steve Tasker, who snagged Jaeger’s short kickoff out of the air while on the run and raced 67 yards to the Raiders 1 yard line before being shoved out of bounds. Following an offsides penalty against the Raiders, RB Kenneth Davis took ball across the goal line on the next play, giving the Bills a 6-3 lead, after K Steve Christie missed the extra point. Raiders WR Raghib Ismail returned the ensuing kickoff 33 yards to his 43 yard line, sparking an 8 play, 57 yard drive that ended with a 1 yard touchdown by RB Napoleon McCallum, to regain the lead at 10-6. Then, on the first play after the kickoff, Los Angeles forced a Buffalo fumble and recovered the ball on the Bills 40 yard line, setting up McCallum’s second 1 yard touchdown, to increase their lead to 17-6.

The Bills, who had gained just 44 total yards to this point, struck right back with a 4 play, 76 yard touchdown drive. After three consecutive Kelly completions, a 37 yard pass interference penalty on the Raiders moved the ball to the Los Angeles 8 yard line. RB Thurman Thomas ran it into the end zone from there, cutting the score to 17-13 with 50 seconds left in the half. Buffalo then started out the second half with a good drive into Raiders territory, but it ended with no points, when Christie missed a 43 yard field goal try.

However, the Bills would subsequently score three times over the final two periods to put the game away. Kelly first threw a 25 yard touchdown pass to WR Bill Brooks at the end of a 5 play, 60 yard drive, giving Buffalo a 19-17 lead, after Christie missed his second PAT. Then, after the Bills recovered a fumble by McCallum, Christie kicked a 29 yard field goal, for a 22-17 lead. On the Raiders’ next possession, WR Tim Brown scored on an 86 yard touchdown reception from Hostetler. Jaeger hit the uprights on the extra point attempt, but Los Angeles still had retaken the lead, 23-22, with less than a minute left in the third quarter. Buffalo then drove 71 yards to score on Brooks’ 22 yard touchdown reception from Kelly with 12:05 left in the game, to regain the lead for good at 29-23.

Buffalo’s defense kept Los Angeles pinned down for the remainder of the quarter to clinch the victory, forcing punts on each of their next two drives. After the second punt, the Bills offense held onto the ball for the final six minutes of the game, featuring three first down runs by Davis, for a 29-23 final score.

Later that day, San Francisco 49ers’ RB Ricky Watters rushed for 118 yards, caught 5 passes for 46 yards, and scored an NFL playoff record five touchdowns, as San Francisco crushed the New York Giants. The 49ers racked up 413 yards of offense, with an average of 6.4 yards per play, while holding the Giants to just 194 yards, and forcing three turnovers.

San Francisco started off the game with an 80 yard drive, in which QB Steve Young completed his first four passes, including a 31 yard completion to WR John Taylor, on the way to a 1 yard touchdown by Watters, for a 6-0 lead. K Mike Cofer missed the extra point, but little else would go wrong for San Francisco during the remainder of the game. Following a Giants punt, San Francisco went up 9-0 on Cofer’s 29 yard field goal. Then, LB Bill Romanowski deflected a pass by QB Phil Simms into the arms of DB Tim McDonald, who returned the ball four yards to the Giants 41 yard line. Eight plays later, Watters scored another 1 yard touchdown, to give the 49ers a 16-0 lead.

After another New York punt, San Francisco drove 92 yards, featuring a 43 yard reception by Taylor from Young, to score on Watters’ third touchdown of the day, this one from 2 yards out, for a 23-0 lead. New York eventually cut the score to 23-3 at halftime, with a 25 yard field goal from K David Treadwell, after they stopped the 49ers on 4th and 1 on their own 21 yard line. However, this would be their only score of the game. Watters added two more touchdowns in the second half, a 6 yard and a 2 yard run, increasing the 49ers lead to 37-3. He actually had a chance to score a sixth touchdown, but he was taken out of the game early in the fourth quarter with the ball on the Giants 11 yard line. Instead, Watters got to sit on the bench as RB Marc Logan scored the 49ers final points on a 2 yard run, for a 44-3 San Francisco victory.

After the game, All-Pro LB Lawrence Taylor announced his retirement at the post-game press conference, saying, “I think it’s time for me to retire. I’ve done everything I can do. I’ve been to Super Bowls. I’ve been to playoffs. I’ve done things that other people haven’t been able to do in this game before. After 13 years, it’s time for me to go”. Taylor is considered one of the best players to ever play in the NFL, and has been ranked as the top defensive player in league history by news outlets, media members, former players and coaches. He has also been described as one of the most “feared” and “intimidating” players in NFL history. Taylor’s explosive speed and power is credited with changing the position of outside linebacker from a “read and react” type of position to a more attacking, aggressive position.

Later in the offseason, long time QB Phil Simms underwent shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. The surgery was successful and, with team doctor Russell Warren’s prognosis for an excellent recovery, Simms was expected to be ready in time for training camp. However, Simms was released by New York prior to the start of camp, and subsequently decided to retire after 14 seasons. Simms considered playing for the Cleveland Browns in 1995, but eventually decided to stay retired. Sports Illustrated considered Simms to be the “Most Underrated Quarterback” in NFL history in their August 27 2001 issue entitled, “The Most Overrated and Underrated”.

On January 16, the Dallas Cowboys broke the game open by scoring 10 points in the final 23 seconds of the first half, and held on for the win over the Green Bay Packers, by intercepting two Brett Farve passes in the fourth quarter.

Green Bay got an early chance to score when DB LeRoy Butler recovered a fumble by Dallas RB Emmitt Smith on the Cowboys 43 yard line. But, on the next play, Favre lost a fumble while being sacked, and Dallas recovered. Later, Green Bay got the ball on the Cowboys 28 yard line by stopping them on a fake punt attempt, leading to K Chris Jacke’s 30 yard field goal, and a 3-0 lead. In the second quarter, Dallas’ QB Troy Aikman completed four consecutive passes on a 65 yard drive, the last a 25 yard touchdown to WR Alvin Harper, for a 7-3 lead.

Green Bay KR Corey Harris fumbled the ensuing kickoff out bounds at his own 4 yard line. Green Bay still managed to drive to the Cowboys 31 yard line, with Favre completing a 48 yard pass to WR Sterling Sharpe, but the drive ended there, and Jacke hit the uprights on a 49 yard field goal attempt. Dallas took over and stormed back on a 10 play, 45 yard drive, with Aikman’s 22 yard completion to Smith and two more to WR Michael Irvin for 24 total yards. With 23 seconds left in the first half, Cowboys’ K Eddie Murray made a 41 yard field goal, increasing Dallas’ lead to 10-3. On the ensuing kickoff, Dallas recovered Harris’ second fumble of the day, and Aikman subsequently threw a 6 yard touchdown toss to TE Jay Novacek, making the score 17-3 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Green Bay got a chance to come back, when S Terrell Buckley intercepted an Aikman pass on the Packers’ 40 yard line. Green Bay then drove to the Cowboys 37 yard line but, on 4th and 8, Favre’s pass to TE Ed West netted just 6 yards. Dallas took the ball back and stormed 65 yards in 6 plays, including an 18 yard catch by Irvin and a 15 yard face mask penalty, turning it into a 33 yard gain. On the last play, Irvin caught a 19 yard touchdown reception, for a 24-3 lead. Now down by 21 points, Green Bay countered with a 9 play, 82 yard drive, with Favre completing four consecutive passes, including a 30 yard gain to RB Darrell Thompson, and scoring on a 13 yard pass to WR Robert Brooks, cutting their deficit to 24-10 going into the fourth quarter.

In the final period, Green Bay missed multiple chances to get back into the game. First, Brooks’ 43 yard punt return was nullified when DE Jim Jeffcoat deflected Favre’s pass into the arms of DE Charles Haley on the first play of the drive. Dallas then drove 47 yards, including a 27 yard reception by Irvin, to score on Murray’s 38 yard field goal, increasing their lead to 27-10. The Packers responded with a drive from their 15 yard line to the Dallas 15 yard line, but any hope of a miracle comeback was dashed on the 13th play of the drive by another Cowboy interception of a Farve pass. In the last two minutes of the game, Green Bay scored on Favre’s 29 yard touchdown throw to Sharpe, but by then the game was well out of reach. Dallas advanced with a 27-17 victory.

Meanwhile, Kansas City Chiefs’ QB Joe Montana threw three touchdown passes in the second half to give his team a win, putting an end to the Houston Oilers’ 11 game winning streak. Kansas City’s defense terrorized Houston QB Warren Moon, forcing  three turnovers, and sacking him a playoff record nine times.

On the opening drive of the game, a heavy Houston pass rush caused Montana to throw a rushed pass that was intercepted by DB Steve Jackson, who returned it 14 yards to the Chiefs 23 yard line. Houston went three and out, including Lewis’ 9 yard sack of Moon on third down, but Al Del Greco kicked a 49 yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Then, after forcing a punt, Moon led the Oilers 80 yards in 11 plays, on a drive that consumed just 6:37, starting if off with a 16 yard completion to WR Gary Wellman, and later completing a 30 yard pass to Wellman deep in Chiefs territory. Once inside the red zone, Moon threw an incompletion on third down, but Kansas City was penalized for being offsides, and Moon threw a first down completion to WR Haywood Jeffries at the 2 yard line on the next play. RB Gary Brown took the ball into the end zone from there, increasing Houston’s lead to 10-0.

In the second quarter, Chiefs’ WR Danan Hughes gave his team a big opportunity, by returning a punt 35 yards to the Oilers 42 yard line. But Kansas City came up empty at the end of a drive, in which they squandered multiple chances to get into scoring range. First, Montana threw a pass to the end zone that was barely deflected away from WR Willie Davis. On the next play, Montana completed a pass to WR J.J. Birden that moved the ball to the 5 yard line, only to see it wiped out by a false start penalty. Then, after a screen pass that gained nothing, Montana thew another pass to the end zone on third down, this one bouncing off the fingertips of a wide open Davis, and forcing Kansas City to punt.

Houston then drove to the Chiefs 10 yard line, on a drive that included Moon’s 16 yard scramble, with an unnecessary roughness penalty turning it into a 31 yard gain. But, after a penalty pushed the Oilers back to the 25 yard line, they too failed to score when Kansas City knocked the ball out of Moon’s hand and subsequently recovered the fumble. Montana completed a 22 yard pass to Davis on the first play after the turnover, and eventually the Chiefs reached the Houston 36 yard line. But Montana threw an incomplete pass on 4th and 1, and the score remained 10-0 at the end of the half.

After forcing the Oilers to punt on the opening drive of the second half, Montana completed a 37 yard pass to Davis and a 14 yarder to WR Tim Barnett, before finishing the drive with a 7 yard touchdown pass to TE Keith Cash, cutting the lead to 10-7. Later in the quarter, Houston drove to the Kansas City 48 yard line. But, shortly before the end of the period, the Chiefs made a clutch interception of a Moon pass to halt the Houston drive. However, early in the fourth period, Houston intercepted a Montana pass at the Chiefs 25 yard line, setting up Del Greco’s 43 yard field goal, increasing the Oiler lead to 13-7.

But Kansas City quickly stormed back to take their first lead of the game, 14-13, scoring in just three plays; a 22 yard completion from Montana to Cash, a 38 yard pass interference penalty against Houston, and Montana’s 11 yard touchdown pass to Birden. Then, on the first play of Houston’s ensuing drive, the Chiefs forced a Moon fumble that they recovered on the Oilers 13 yard line, setting up Montana’s 18 yard touchdown pass to Davis, and a 21-13 lead. Moon then led the Oilers 80 yards with eight consecutive completions, including a 23 yard catch by Jeffries, to score on WR Ernest Givins’ 7 yard touchdown reception, cutting the deficit to 21-20 with 3:35 left. But the Chiefs responded with a critical 41 yard completion from Montana to Cash on 3rd and 1, setting up RB Marcus Allen’s game clinching 21 yard touchdown run, for a 28-20 Kansas City victory.

On January 23, the Buffalo Bills hosted the AFC Championship at Rich Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs while, for the second consecutive year, the San Francisco 49ers played the Dallas Cowboys, this time in Texas Stadium, for the NFC Championship and the right to represent their respective conferences in Super Bowl XXVIII.

In the AFC, RB Thurman Thomas led the Buffalo Bills to victory over the Kansas City Chiefs by recording 186 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Buffalo racked up a total of 229 rushing yards against a Kansas City defense that allowed the Houston Oilers only 39 rushing yards in the Divisional Playoffs.

Buffalo scored first, starting from the Kansas City 47 yard line, courtesy of a 13 yard punt return. A few plays later, WR Andre Reed’s 29 yard reception on 3rd and 5 moved the ball to the 13 yard line, setting up Thurman Thomas’ 12 yard touchdown run, to give the Bills a 7-0 lead. Building on the momentum of a 31 yard kickoff return, and a 24 yard run by RB Marcus Allen, Kansas City responded with a 31 yard field goal by K Nick Lowery to cut the deficit to 7-3. Then, Kansas City caught a break, when Buffalo fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the Chiefs recovered on the Bills 24 yard line. This led to Lowery’s second field goal, making the score 7-6.

The Bills then stormed back with 13 unanswered points. First, they drove 80 yards in 9 plays, including a 33 yard burst by Thomas and a 15 yard run by RB Kenneth Davis, to score on Thomas’ 3 yard touchdown, for a 14-6 lead. Then, a third down sack forced a Kansas City punt from deep in their own territory, which Buffalo returned 17 yards to the Chiefs 46 yard line. Buffalo subsequently drove to the 5 yard line, where K Steve Christie made a 23 yard field goal, extending their lead to 17-6. After a Kansas City punt, a pair of double digit runs by Thomas set up a second Christie field goal, making the score 20-6 with just over two minutes left in the half.

The Chiefs responded with a drive to the Buffalo 5 yard line, featuring a 31 yard completion from QB Joe Montana to RB Todd McNair but, with 21 seconds left before halftime, Montana’s pass went through the hands of RB Kimble Anders, and was intercepted by Bills’ DB Henry Jones. Montana later suffered a concussion during the third play of the third quarter and left the game, replaced by backup QB Dave Krieg. Krieg’s first two passes were incomplete, resulting in a punt that was returned 26 yards into Kansas City territory. But the Chiefs defense rose to the occasion and forced a punt. Krieg then led his team on a 90 yard drive, starting out with a 26 yard completion to WR J.J. Birden, and later completing a 19 yarder to TE Keith Cash on 4th and 2, to score on 1 yard touchdown by Allen, pulling Kansas City within a touchdown, 20-13.

However, in the final period, Buffalo scored 10 unanswered points to clinch the victory. First, they responded to the Chiefs’ touchdown with an 18 yard field goal by Christie, for a 23-13 lead. Then a sack forced Kansas City to punt, and the Bills again had good field position, with a return to the Buffalo 48 yard line, where the team started a 52 yard drive to put the game away, 30-13, on Thomas’ 3 yard touchdown, advancing the Bills to their fourth consecutive Super Bowl. It was also the third straight year Buffalo had defeated a future Hall of Fame quarterback in the AFC Championship Game, beating John Elway in the 1991 and Dan Marino in 1992. For Montana, this was his seventh start in a conference championship game, the most of any quarterback, breaking his tie with Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB Terry Bradshaw and Dallas Cowboys’ QB Roger Staubach.

In the NFC, before the game, Dallas Cowboys’ Head Coach Jimmy Johnson famously guaranteed that his team would win, and they did not disappoint. Dallas jumped to a 28-7 halftime lead, racking up 273 yards and 19 first downs, as well as scoring four touchdowns in their first five possessions, to defeat the San Francisco 49ers for the second year in a row.

Dallas took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards to score on RB Emmitt Smith’s 5 yard touchdown, for a 7-0 lead. Five seconds into the second quarter, the 49ers tied the game, 7-7, on QB Steve Young’s 7 yard touchdown pass to RB Tom Rathman. But then the Cowboys scored three unanswered touchdowns to go up 28-7 before halftime. First they drove 80 yards in 11 plays to score on a 4 yard run by RB Daryl Johnston to retake the lead, 14-7. Dallas next intercepted a Young pass and returned it 14 yards to the 49ers 24 yard line, setting up Smith’s 11 yard touchdown reception from QB Troy Aikman, for a 21-7 lead. Five minutes later, Aikman finished a 72 yard drive with a 19 yard score to TE Jay Novacek, and a 28-7 halftime lead.

On Dallas’ first series of the third quarter, Aikman suffered a game ending concussion, knocking him so senseless that when a team doctor asked him where the Super Bowl was going to be played, he answered “Henryetta”, Aikman’s hometown in Oklahoma. With just over five minutes left in the third quarter, San Francisco RB Ricky Watters ran for a 4 yard touchdown, cutting the Cowboy lead to 28-14, and providing the 49ers a ray of hope with Aikman out of the game.

However, 30 year old Dallas backup and former Cleveland Browns quarterback, Bernie Kosar, responded by leading the Cowboys 82 yards to a momentum shifting touchdown, including a critical 12 yard completion to WR Michael Irvin on 3rd and 9 from the Dallas 19 yard line. On the last play of the drive, he connected with WR Alvin Harper for a 42 yard touchdown, and a 35-14 lead. Cowboys’ K Eddie Murray later added a 50 yard field goal in the fourth quarter, making the score an insurmountable 38-14. While San Francisco would subsequently score on a 1 yard run by Young, Dallas had won their second consecutive NFC Championship, 38-21.

Thus, the Dallas Cowboys would again play the Buffalo Bills for the World Championship in Super Bowl XXVIII. This was the fourth rematch in Super Bowl history, and the first time that the same two teams had met in consecutive Super Bowls. For Buffalo, it was their fourth straight appearance, becoming the only team in Super Bowl history to make four consecutive trips to the NFL’s championship game. For Dallas, it was their record setting seventh Super Bowl appearance.

Super Bowl Highlights: On January 30 1994, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta GA, the NFC Champion and heavily favored Dallas Cowboys, led once again by fifth year Head Coach Jimmy Johnson, played the AFC Champion Buffalo Bills, led for the fourth consecutive time by seventh year Head Coach Marv Levy, in Super Bowl XXVIII.

Dallas’ journey to Super Bowl XXVIII proved more difficult than the previous season. Pro Bowl RB Emmitt Smith held out the first two regular season games over a contract dispute, and the Cowboys lost both of those contests, including a 13-10 home loss to Buffalo. Pro Bowl QB Troy Aikman, along with a few other key players, missed games due to injuries. Following the loss to the Bills, Dallas’ LB Charles Haley was so upset he slammed his helmet through a locker room wall, screaming “We’ll never win with a f***ing rookie running back!”, a reference to Smith’s replacement, Derrick Lassic. Team Owner Jerry Jones apparently agreed, quickly signing Smith to a contract that made him the highest paid running back in the NFL.

With Smith back in the starting lineup and Aikman healthy, Dallas went on to win their next seven games, including a dominating 26-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers, and a 23-10 win on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles, in which Smith rushed for 237 yards, the 6th highest total in NFL history. Their winning streak was finally snapped against the Atlanta Falcons, with Aikman on the sidelines with an ankle injury and Smith knocked out of the game after his first carry. They also lost their next game to the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day, due to an infamous error by DT Leon Lett where he attempted to recover a blocked kick that ultimately was awarded to Miami on the Cowboys 1 yard line, enabling Miami to kick a game winning field goal.

However, Dallas won their remaining five games to finish with an NFC best record, after defeating the New York Giants in a dramatic, 16-13 overtime victory, in their final regular season game. Aikman showed he was at full health in that game, completing 24 of 30 passes with no interceptions, while Smith rushed for 168 yards, caught 10 passes for 61 yards, and scored Dallas’ only touchdown.

Though not as dynamic as the previous year due to injuries and Smith’s holdout, Dallas’ offense remained incredibly efficient, scoring 376 points and finishing 2nd overall in total offense. The Cowboys were led by Aikman, who finished the regular season completing 271 out of 392 passes (69.1%) for 3,100 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, for a QB Rating of 99.0. Smith recorded 1,486 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns, while catching 57 passes for 414 yards and another touchdown, earning him his third consecutive NFL rushing title and the NFL MVP award. RB Daryl Johnston was also a reliable backfield threat, scoring four touchdowns, and contributing a career high 50 receptions for 371 yards.

Pro Bowl WR Michael Irvin was once again the team’s leading wide receiver, catching 88 passes for 1,330 yards and 7 touchdowns. WR Alvin Harper caught 36 passes for 777 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Pro Bowl TE Jay Novacek had 44 receptions for 445 yards and one touchdown. Pro Bowlers C Mark Stepnoski, OT Erik Williams, and OG Nate Newton anchored the offensive line. The Cowboys’ defense was anchored by such Pro Bowlers as DT Russell Maryland and LB Ken Norton Jr., as well as DBs Thomas Everett and Kevin Smith, who intercepted 6 passes during the season. DE Tony Tolbert led the team with 7.5 sacks, while Haley added 4 sacks. Dallas finished 2nd overall in total defense, allowing only 229 points.

Buffalo finished at the top of the AFC by clinching the conference’s best regular season record, winning seven of their first eight games. QB Jim Kelly once again led Buffalo’s no huddle offense, completing 288 out of 470 attempts (61.3%) for 3,382 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions, for a QB Rating of 79.9. Kelly was joining an elite class by starting his fourth Super Bowl. The only other quarterbacks to start four were Dallas Cowboys’ QB Roger Staubach, Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB Terry Bradshaw, and San Francisco 49ers’ QB Joe Montana. Kelly is the only one to start four consecutive Super Bowl games.

RB Thurman Thomas led the AFC with 1,315 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, while also catching 48 passes for 387 yards. RB Kenneth Davis rushed for 391 yards and 6 touchdowns. Pro Bowl WR Andre Reed caught 52 receptions for a team leading 854 yards and 6 touchdowns, WR Bill Brooks had 60 receptions for 714 yards and 5 touchdowns, and WR Don Beebe recorded 31 receptions for 504 yards and 3 touchdowns. TE Pete Metzelaars led the team with 68 receptions for 609 yards and 4 touchdowns. Pro Bowl OT Howard Ballard anchored the line. The Bills finished 7th in total offense, scoring 329 points.

Buffalo’s defense was the team’s weakness, ranking last in the league in total yards allowed (5,810), while ranking 5th overall in points allowed (242). The defense did have a few good contributors, such as Hall of Fame DE Bruce Smith (14 sacks, one fumble recovery), Pro Bowl LB Cornelius Bennett (5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries), LB Darryl Talley (101 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions), and CB Nate Odomes, who led the NFL with 9 interceptions and one fumble recovery. LB Marvcus Patton, who had moved up to the starting lineup to replace departed Pro Bowler Shane Conlan, was also an impact player, intercepting 2 passes and recovering 3 fumbles.

Like the year before, the game started out well for Buffalo. Dallas’ KR Kevin Williams returned the opening kickoff 50 yards to the Bills 48 yard line. The Cowboys’ drive got off to a fast start with Troy Aikman’s 20 yard pass to Michael Irvin. But, on 3rd and 6 from 24 yard line, Aikman threw an incomplete pass, and Dallas had to settle for K Eddie Murray’s 41 yard field goal, and a 3-0 lead. The Bills then responded with a 7 play, 43 yard scoring drive. Jim Kelly’s 24 yard pass to Thurman Thomas advanced the ball across the Dallas 40 yard line. After a 3 yard run by Kenneth Davis, however, Kelly threw two straight incompletions. The Bills then tied the game, 3-3, with K Steve Christie’s 54 yard field goal, the longest field goal in Super Bowl history.

Buffalo then forced Dallas to punt but, on the first play of the Bills’ ensuing possession, Dallas forced a Thomas fumble, recovering the ball at midfield. Aided by Alvin Harper’s 24 yard reception from Aikman, the Cowboys drove to the Bills’ 7 yard line but, once again, were forced to settle for a field goal, this time a 24 yarder by Murray, to regain the lead, 6-3. After receiving the kickoff, the Bills could only reach their own 41 yard line before being forced to punt. However, Dallas was penalized for running into P Chris Mohr on the play, giving Buffalo a first down. Taking advantage of their second chance, the Bills marched down the field with runs by Thomas and short completions by Kelly. Thomas eventually finished off the 17 play, 80 yard drive with a 4 yard touchdown, giving the Bills a 10-6 lead early in the second quarter.

Dallas started out their ensuing drive with a 15 yard reception by Irvin, and a 13 yard run by Emmitt Smith, to get to midfield. They were eventually forced to punt, but the Cowboys downed John Jett’s 43 yard punt at the Bills’ 1 yard line. A 19 yard completion from Kelly to Andre Reed moved Buffalo out from the shadow of their own end zone, eventually reaching the Cowboys 46 yard line, but they too were forced to punt. However, Mohr matched Jett’s feat with a 45 yard punt, that was downed at the Dallas 1 yard line.

As the Bills had done, Dallas managed to get out of their own territory and advance to the Buffalo 47 yard line. The Bills then intercepted an Aikman pass intended for Irvin, and returned it 41 yards to the Dallas 47 yard line with 1:03 left in the half. After a 1 yard run by Thomas, Kelly completed a pair of passes to Thomas and Reed for gains of 12 and 22 yards respectively, to move the ball to the Cowboys 12 yard line. But the Dallas defense tightened up on the next three plays, as Kelly threw a 3 yard completion to Thomas, an incomplete pass, and a completion to Thomas for no gain. Christie kicked his second field goal as time expired in the half, increasing Buffalo’s lead to 13-6.

Unfortunately for Buffalo, their command over the game proved short lived, as Dallas proceeded to dominate the second half, scoring 24 unanswered points. Just 45 seconds into the third quarter, the Cowboys made the key play of the game, with DT Leon Lett forcing a second Thomas fumble at Buffalo’s own 43 yard line. This time, DB James Washington picked up the loose ball and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown, to tie the game, 13-13. Buffalo returned the ensuing kickoff 22 yards to their own 37 yard line but, on third down, Dallas sacked Kelly for a 13 yard loss, forcing the Bills to punt. The Cowboys then scored on an 8 play, 64 yard drive, in which Smith carried the ball on seven of the eight plays, gaining all but 3 of the 64 yards himself, and finished the drive with a 15 yard touchdown run, to give Dallas a 20-13 lead.

Meanwhile, Dallas’ defense continued to stop Buffalo’s offense throughout the second half. Washington intercepted a Kelly pass on the first play of the fourth quarter and returned it 12 yards to the Bills 34 yard line. A false start penalty on the next play moved the ball back to the 39 yard line but, on the next three plays, Smith ran twice for 10 yards and caught a screen pass for 9 yards. Aikman then completed a 16 yard pass to Harper, giving Dallas a 1st and goal at the 6 yard line. The Bills managed to prevent a touchdown on the next three plays but, on 4th and goal from the 1 yard line, Smith ran into the end zone for the score, giving the Cowboys a 27-13 lead.

The Bills started their ensuing drive from their own 22 yard line and managed to reach their own 36 yard line. However, Dallas then made two key plays; a second down tackle on Thomas for a 1 yard loss and a 13 yard sack on third down, to push the ball back to the 22 yard line and force Buffalo to punt. A poor 29 yard kick gave the Cowboys possession on their own 49 yard line.

Dallas put the game away with a 9 play, 49 yard scoring drive that took 4:10 off the clock. On the sixth play of the drive, Aikman completed a 35 yard pass to Harper to the Bills 1 yard line. After a false start penalty pushed them back to the 6 yard line, the Cowboys ran the ball on their next three plays to force Buffalo to use up all of their timeouts. Murray then kicked a 20 yard field goal with 2:50 left in the game, increasing the Cowboys’ lead to 30-13, effectively ending any chance of a Bills comeback. Dallas’ 30-13 victory gave them their fourth Super Bowl win in team history, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers for most Super Bowl wins, and becoming only the fifth team to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

Buffalo, on the other hand, became the first professional team in sports history to lose four straight World Championships. They also tied the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos with four total Super Bowls losses.

Emmitt Smith was named Super Bowl MVP, with 30 carries for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also catching 4 passes for 26 yards. Smith, still suffering from the effects of a shoulder injury during the regular season finale, became just the second player in Super Bowl history to rush for 100 yards in consecutive Super Bowls, the other being Miami Dolphins’ RB Larry Csonka in Super Bowls VII and VIII. Smith also became the fourth player to rush for touchdowns in back-to-back Super Bowls, as well as the first player to lead the league in rushing yards, win the NFL MVP Award, and win Super Bowl MVP all in the same season. He was only the fourth player, after Green Bay QB Bart Starr (1966), Pittsburgh QB Terry Bradshaw (1978), and San Francisco QB Joe Montana (1989), to win both the NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP during the same season.

For the Packers, 1993 brought the first consecutive winning seasons in 25 years. Not since the 1960’s had Green Bay been better positioned to compete for an NFL title. A rising star at quarterback, Brett Favre, led the offense; an All-Pro defensive end, Reggie White, anchored the defense; a Head Coach, Mike Holmgren, orchestrated the team, getting the best out of young and old players alike; and, most importantly, a General Manager, Ron Wolf, oversaw the entire organization, understanding the caliber of players and the quality of personnel necessary to take the Packers to the next level. The question now was could Green Bay put it all together, and once again become a championship contender?

Attached is the NFL Films Super Bowl XXVIII Highlight video.

Enjoy!!

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