1994 Dallas Cowboys season

NFL team season August 2023 March 2026 Dallas Cowboys 1994 12–4 1st NFC East Barry Switzer Ernie Zampese Butch Davis Jerry Jones Jerry Jones Texas Stadium Won Divisional Playoffs(vs. Packers) 35–9 Lost NFC Championship(at 49ers) 28–38 QB Troy AikmanRB Emmitt SmithFB Daryl JohnstonWR Michael IrvinTE Jay NovacekOL Nate NewtonOL Mark StepnoskiOL Mark TuineiDL Charles HaleyDL Leon LettS Darren Woodson File:Dallas Cowboys Uniforms 2013-2014.png Cowboys seasons The 1994 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 35th season in the National Football League (NFL). Following their second consecutive Super Bowl title, the Cowboys would see a multitude of changes. In March, months of setbacks finally reached its climax as team owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jimmy Johnson held a press conference and announced Johnson's resignation. After a run of dominance in the regular season and finishing with a record of 12–4, the Cowboys fell short of a record third straight Super Bowl title with a loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, ending their hopes of becoming the first NFL team to three-peat in the Super Bowl. The 1994 Cowboys draft yielded only one notable addition to the team, offensive guard Larry Allen. Veteran linebacker Ken Norton Jr. left the team to sign with San Francisco. This season was the 75th anniversary of the NFL and was designated by a diamond-shaped patch worn on the left breast of every NFL team's uniform. The Cowboys celebrated the league's history by donning their inaugural white jerseys from the 1960–1963 seasons against the Detroit Lions. The team also later debuted a special white "Double-Star" jersey on Thanksgiving Day 1994. These uniforms celebrated the Cowboys' most recent back-to-back Super Bowl titles in the 1992 and 1993 seasons and were used in most of the Cowboys' remaining games of the season, including the playoffs. Offseason Additions SubtractionsQB Rodney Peete (Lions) K Eddie Murray (Eagles) S Thomas Everett (Buccaneers) QB Bernie Kosar (Dolphins)G John Gesek (Redskins) G Kevin Gogan (Raiders) LB Ken Norton Jr. (49ers) DT Tony Casillas (Chiefs) NFL draft 1994 NFL draft 1994 Dallas Cowboys 1 23 Shante Carver Defensive end Arizona State yes 2 46 Larry Allen Guard Sonoma State yes yes 3 102 George Hegamin Tackle NC State yes 4 109 Willie Jackson Wide receiver Florida yes 4 131 DeWayne Dotson Linebacker Ole Miss no 6 191 Darren Studstill Safety West Virginia yes 7 216 Toddrick McIntosh Defensive end Florida State yes yes Undrafted free agents + 1994 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeChris BoniolKickerLouisiana TechRichie CunninghamKickerLouisiana-LafayetteMatt JoyceTackleRichmondMark MasonRunning backMarylandHurvin McCormackDefensive TackleIndianaTony RichardsonFullbackAuburnJeff WilkinsKickerYoungstown StateJermaine YoungerLinebackerUtah State Regular season In an attempt to be the first NFL franchise to "Three-Peat" Super Bowls, the Dallas Cowboys were off to a strong start under new head coach Barry Switzer. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner had departed to become head coach of the rival Washington Redskins and was replaced by veteran offensive assistant Ernie Zampese. However dominant, the team was fielded with injuries to many key starters. The most notable injuries were a near fatal car accident to tackle Erik Williams and a nagging hamstring strain to running back Emmitt Smith. The season also saw the brief emergence of back-up quarterback and future head coach Jason Garrett as he led a comeback victory against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day by leading the Cowboys to score 36 points in the second half.https://www.nfl.com/news/fans-choice-pick-a-comeback-game-to-watch-0ap1000000154869 Fans' Choice: Pick a comeback game to watch National Football League March 28, 2013 April 2, 2013 Dallas finished the regular season posting a 12–4 record and winning the NFC East. Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 4 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 26–9 1–0 Three Rivers Stadium Recap 2 September 11 Houston Oilers W 20–17 2–0 Texas Stadium Recap 3 September 19, 1994 Detroit Lions L 17–20 (OT) 2–1 Texas Stadium Recap 4 Bye 5 October 2 at Washington Redskins W 34–7 3–1 RFK Stadium Recap 6 October 9 Arizona Cardinals W 38–3 4–1 Texas Stadium Recap 7 October 16 Philadelphia Eagles W 24–13 5–1 Texas Stadium Recap 8 October 23 at Arizona Cardinals W 28–21 6–1 Sun Devil Stadium Recap 9 October 30 at Cincinnati Bengals W 23–20 7–1 Riverfront Stadium Recap 10 November 7, 1994 New York Giants W 38–10 8–1 Texas Stadium Recap 11 November 13 at San Francisco 49ers L 14–21 8–2 Candlestick Park Recap 12 November 20 Washington Redskins W 31–7 9–2 Texas Stadium Recap 13 November 24, 1994 Green Bay Packers W 42–31 10–2 Texas Stadium Recap 14 December 4 at Philadelphia Eagles W 31–19 11–2 Veterans Stadium Recap 15 December 10, 1994 Cleveland Browns L 14–19 11–3 Texas Stadium Recap 16 December 19, 1994 at New Orleans Saints W 24–16 12–3 Louisiana Superdome Recap 17 December 24, 1994 at New York Giants L 10–15 12–4 Giants Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week One at Pittsburgh Steelers Barry Switzer's debut as Cowboys head coach was a 26–9 victory over the Steelers and third-year coach Bill Cowher. Undrafted kicker Chris Boniol kicked four field goals while the Steelers managed a Neil O'Donnell touchdown run and a field goal. Despite the lopsided win, Michael Irvin said afterward, "We did not look sharp." Week Two vs. Houston Oilers Dallas's home opener was a 20–17 win over their in-state AFC cousin the Houston Oilers. Though the Oilers closed to within 20–17 they got no further. It would be the final time the Cowboys would face an NFL team from Houston until Week 1 of 2002 vs the Houston Texans. Monday Night Football vs. Detroit Lions The Cowboys struggled against the Lions, falling behind 17–7, but rallied to tie the game. Lions' kicker Jason Hanson missed a short field goal attempt ending regulation, then in overtime another Hanson kick was blocked. Troy Aikman fumbled to the Lions and Hanson booted a 44-yarder for the 20–17 Lions win. Week 4 Bye Week Week 5 at Washington Redskins The Cowboys came off their bye week and their former offensive coordinator Norv Turner saw his Redskins get hammered 34–7 at RFK Stadium. The Skins lost four turnovers and managed just 110 yards of offense. Week 6 vs. Arizona Cardinals The Cardinals were obliterated at Texas Stadium 38–3 as quarterbacks Steve Beuerlein and Jay Schroeder were intercepted five total times. Week 7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles With both teams at 4–1 the Cowboys took care of business in a 24–13 win. Randall Cunningham was intercepted four times. Week 8 at Arizona Cardinals The Cardinals had long given little reason for confidence but this game was radically different. Troy Aikman completed three passes and a touchdown to Alvin Harper but was knocked out by a vicious hit from Wilber Marshall. The Cardinals led 21–14 in the fourth but Rodney Peete completed 186 passing yards and two scoring drives for the 28–21 win. Arriving home, several players including Erik Williams went to a bar to relax. Seriously drunk, Williams drove away, then was seriously injured in a vicious highway accident, missing the remainder of the season. Week 9 at Cincinnati Bengals Bengals coach Dave Shula was disliked by Cowboys players during his time on Jimmy Johnson's staff as a young offensive coach because of his mistrust of players and resultant dumbed-down play-calling. His Bengals entered this game winless and stayed that way after the Cowboys rallied from down 20–17 in the third quarter on two Boniol field goals. Monday Night Football vs. New York Giants The Cowboys led wire to wire in a 38–10 rout of the 3–6 Giants, out gaining them in yards 450–188 despite two fumbles. The game was marred by a scuffle between the two teams at the end of the first half. Week 11 vs. San Francisco 49ers Considered the game of the year going in, Dallas's fourth meeting in three seasons with the Niners was a defensive struggle with a combined fourteen punts for 592 yards. The Niners clawed out a 14–7 lead in the fourth and the Cowboys stormed to the Niners’ 7 when Aikman was intercepted (his third of the game). The Niners scored again before Dallas raced downfield and scored but could not recover an onside kick. The 21–14 win would mean San Francisco would host a playoff rematch. Week 12 vs. Washington Redskins Despite being out-gained in yardage 313–243 the Cowboys crushed the Redskins 31–7, snagging four interceptions and a fumble. Both teams used three quarterbacks apiece including future Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett. Thanksgiving Day vs. Green Bay Packers With Troy Aikman out with injury, Garrett started against the 6–5 Packers. Green Bay raced to a 24–13 lead before Garrett erupted to two touchdown throws and led two more drives ending in rushing scores. The result was a 42–31 Cowboys win, a year after their embarrassing Thanksgiving loss to Miami. Week 14 at. Philadelphia Eagles After a 7–2 start the Eagles were in free fall at 7–5 and lost again, this time at Veterans Stadium. The Eagles clawed to within 24–19 but Randall Cunningham was intercepted by Darren Woodson at the Cowboys 6 and Woodson finished a 31–19 Cowboys win. Week 15 vs. Cleveland Browns The Cowboys lost any realistic chance at the top seed in the NFC while the Browns closed in on the playoffs in a 19–14 Cleveland win, picking off Aikman twice and adding two Cowboys fumbles. It began a six-game winning streak against the Cowboys by head coach Bill Belichick. Week 16 at New Orleans Saints Dallas secured a playoff bye in a 24–16 win at the Superdome despite two more Aikman interceptions. Jim Everett of the Saints was worse with three picks and the two teams combined for just 517 yards of offense. One of Aikman's interceptions was by Darion Conner, who was notably chased down by rookie offensive lineman Larry Allen. Christmas Eve at New York Giants Dallas rested most of its starters, since winning or losing this game would not affect its seeding in the playoffs. The Cowboys finished with twelve wins while the Giants, in winning 15–10, salvaged a 9–7 record after starting 3–7. The two teams combined for just 437 yards and twelve penalties altogether. Standings Throwback weekend games Dallas: 9/19 (Det) Playoffs The Cowboys' 12–4 regular-season record earned them the #2 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs. They defeated the Green Bay Packers in the divisional-round playoff game at Texas Stadium. They then traveled to Candlestick Park to face the San Francisco 49ers for the third straight time in as many years in the NFC Championship game. Down 21 points in the first quarter, the Cowboys fought back valiantly, but fell short, 38–28. Schedule Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Game Recap Wild Card First-round bye Divisional January 8, 1995 Green Bay Packers (4) W 35–9 1–0 Texas Stadium Recap NFC Championship January 15, 1995 San Francisco 49ers (1) L 28–38 1–1 Candlestick Park Recap Playoffs summaries Divisional Round vs. Green Bay Packers The Cowboys led wire to wire, winning 35–9 as Aikman erupted for 337 yards while Brett Favre completed just eighteen passes and was benched with the game's competitive phase over for Mark Brunell in his final game for the Packers before league expansion sent him to the same Jacksonville Jaguars whose interest in Dallas's previous head coach had helped set off the controversial change of Dallas coaches before the 1994 season. NFC Championship Game at San Francisco 49ers Dallas's run as Super Bowl champions ended in bitter 38–28 fashion as three turnovers in the first eight minutes of action led to 21 Niners points and a 31–14 San Francisco lead at halftime. Aikman managed 380 yards but three interceptions were part of five Dallas turnovers. The most bitter moment came on an encounter between receiver Michael Irvin (targeted 26 times with twelve catches and two touchdowns) and Niners defensive back Deion Sanders that was considered flagrant pass interference but didn't draw a penalty. Team owner Jerry Jones stated afterward "there is nothing we need to change to beat the Forty Niners," but the Cowboys would sign Sanders as a free agent at the start of the following season. Roster Dallas Cowboys 1994 roster Quarterbacks  8 Troy Aikman 17 Jason Garrett  9 Rodney Peete Running backs 34 Tommie Agee 44 Lincoln Coleman FB 48 Daryl Johnston FB 22 Emmitt Smith 32 Blair Thomas Wide receivers 82 Cory Fleming 80 Alvin Harper 88 Michael Irvin 83 Willie Jackson 85 Kevin Williams KR/PR Tight ends 89 Scott Galbraith 84 Jay Novacek Offensive linemen 73 Larry Allen T 69 George Hegamin T 60 Derek Kennard G 61 Nate Newton G 76 Jerry Reynolds T 53 Mark Stepnoski C 65 Ron Stone G 71 Mark Tuinei T Defensive linemen 96 Shante Carver DE 94 Charles Haley DE 95 Chad Hennings DT 77 Jim Jeffcoat DE 78 Leon Lett DT 67 Russell Maryland DT 99 Hurvin McCormack DT 92 Tony Tolbert DELinebackers 50 Darrick Brownlow MLB 58 Dixon Edwards OLB 55 Robert Jones MLB 98 Godfrey Myles OLB 52 Jim Schwantz OLB 59 Darrin Smith OLB 91 Matt Vanderbeek MLB Defensive backs 40 Bill Bates SS 24 Larry Brown CB 46 Joe Fishback FS 29 Kenneth Gant SS 47 Clayton Holmes CB 31 Brock Marion FS 26 Kevin Smith CB 30 Darren Studstill FS 41 Dave Thomas CB 37 James Washington FS 28 Darren Woodson SS Special teams 18 Chris Boniol K 70 Dale Hellestrae LS 19 John Jett PReserve lists 25 Derrick Lassic RB (IR) 10px 79 Erik Williams T (NF-Inj.) 10px Practice squad 87 John Davis TE 35 Tony Richardson FB 75 Matt Joyce G Rookies in italics 52 active, 2 inactive, 3 practice squad Awards and records Charles Haley, Defense, UPI NFC Player of the Year Emmitt Smith, Best NFL Player ESPY Award Publications The Football Encyclopedia 0-312-11435-4 Total Football 0-06-270170-3 Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes 0-446-51950-2 References External links https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/1994.htm 1994 Dallas Cowboys Statistics & Players Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro Football Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys Official Site Houston Oilers at Dallas Cowboys, Week Two on YouTube Category:NFC East championship seasons Category:Dallas Cowboys seasons Dallas Dallas