NFL playoffs, 1992-93
Encyclopedia
The NFL playoffs
following the 1992 NFL season
led up to Super Bowl XXVII
.
's 1-yard touchdown that capped a 74-yard drive, but Washington controlled the game from that point on. Redskins kicker Chip Lohmiller
scored a 44-yard field goal and running back Earnest Byner
recorded a 3-yard touchdown to give Washington a 10-7 lead. Then on fourth down at the Minnesota 44-yard line late in the second quarter, Mitchell rushed 36 yards on a fake punt. He would then score on an 8-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Mark Rypien
's 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Gary Clark
in the third period closed out the scoring.
scored on a 54-yard rushing touchdown. Then, San Diego defensive lineman Leslie O'Neal
intercepted a pass on Kansas City's next drive to set up kicker John Carney's 34-yard field goal. In the final period, Chargers linebacker Steve Hendrickson
, who lined up as a running back, scored on a 5-yard touchdown run.
, the Bills mounted the greatest comeback in NFL history, overcoming a 35-3 deficit against the Oilers. The Bills were without future Pro Football Hall of Fame
quarterback Jim Kelly
(who was injured in the last game of the season, a loss to the Oilers), All-Pro linebacker Cornelius Bennett
and lost starting running back Thurman Thomas to a hip injury, and the Oilers jumped to a 28-3 lead by halftime. Houston quarterback Warren Moon recorded 220 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in the first half. Then 1:41 into the third quarter, Oilers defensive back Bubba McDowell
returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown, increasing their lead to 32 points. But quarterback Frank Reich
led Buffalo to 5 unanswered touchdowns, including running back Kenneth Davis' 1-yard rushing score, Don Beebe
's 38-yard touchdown reception, and wide receiver Andre Reed
's 3 touchdown catches. However, Oilers kicker Al Del Greco
scored the tying 26-yard field goal with 12 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime. Early in the extra period, Bills defensive back Nate Odomes
' interception set up Steve Christie
's 32-yard game field goal to give the Bills a 41-38 win.
Reich finished the game with 21 of 34 pass completions for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 1 interception. Reed had 8 catches for 136 yards and 3 touchdowns. Davis rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown, while also catching 2 passes for 25 yards. Moon recorded 36 of 50 completions for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 2 interceptions. Receiver Curtis Duncan
caught 9 passes for 117 yards. Jeffires recorded 8 catches for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns.
's 1-yard touchdown run, but it was countered with Philadelphia quarterback Randall Cunningham
's 57-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Fred Barnett
. The Saints then went ahead 17-7 before halftime with kicker Morten Andersen
's 35-yard field goal and wide receiver Quinn Early's 7-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Bobby Hebert
. The two teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, and the score was 20-10, New Orleans, going into the final period.
With less than 11 minutes left in the game, Cunningham connected with wide receiver Fred Barnett
for a 35-yard touchdown completion. Then on the first play of the Saints' next possession, Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner
intercepted a pass to set up running back Heath Sherman
's 6-yard touchdown, giving Philadelphia the lead, 24-20. After New Orleans got the ball back, Eagles defensive lineman Reggie White
sacked Hebert in the end zone for a safety. Philadelphia kicker Roger Ruzek then added a 39-yard field goal, and 19 seconds later, defensive back Eric Allen
intercepted Hebert and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown.
threw for 160 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions; while running back Kenneth Davis rushed for 104 yards Steelers running back Barry Foster rushed for 104 yards and caught a pass for 7.
Pittsburgh scored first with kicker Gary Anderson's 38-yard field goal on their opening drive. However, Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell
lost a fumble while being sacked by Bruce Smith, which Bills defensive lineman Phil Hansen
recovered on the Bills 41-yard line. Buffalo then advanced 59 yards to score on Reich's 1-yard touchdown pass to Mitch Frerotte
, an eligible lineman. On the opening drive of the second half, the Bills moved the ball 80 yards and scored with Reich's 17-yard touchdown pass to James Lofton
. In the final period, a botched Steelers field goal attempt set up a 44-yard drive that ended with Bills kicker Steve Christie
's 43-yard field goal. The next time Buffalo got the ball, they drove 86 yards and scored on a 1-yard run from fullback Carwell Gardner
.
to open the scoring. Then after the two teams traded field goals, Young connected with tight end Brent Jones
on a 16-yard touchdown completion to give San Francisco a 17-3 lead before halftime. In the third quarter, Washington kicker Chip Lohmiller
made a 32-yard field goal to cut the lead, 17-6. Later in the period, Young lost a fumble at the San Francisco 15-yard line, and Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 17-13. Washington then reached the San Francisco 23-yard line before Rypien fumbled the football back to the 49ers. San Francisco then marched on a 14-play, 59-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes off the clock to score on kicker Mike Cofer's game-clinching 33-yard field goal. This was the last game of Joe Gibbs' first tenure as Redskins head coach.
threw two touchdown passes: a 1-yard score to tight end Derek Tennell and a 6-yarder to tight end Jay Novacek
. Running back Emmitt Smith
, who finished the game with 114 rushing yards, scored a 23-yard touchdown run, running back Derrick Gainer rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, and kicker Lin Elliott made two field goals. Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham's 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Calvin Williams closed out the scoring.
to just 18 of 44 completions for 140 yards and intercepting him four times. Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino
threw 3 touchdown passes in the second quarter. All of Marino's touchdowns were set up by interceptions. Miami defensive back Troy Vincent
's interception set up running back Tony Paige's 1-yard touchdown reception. Another interception by Vincent led to tight end Keith Jackson's 9-yard touchdown. Then linebacker Bryan Cox's interception set up Jackson's 30-yard touchdown. In the fourth period, Dolphins kicker Pete Stoyanovich
added a 22-yard field goal and running back Aaron Craver recorded a 25-yard rushing touchdown.
twice, recovered 3 fumbles, forced 4 sacks, and held Miami to just 33 rushing yards. Although the Buffalo offense had trouble getting into the end zone because it was both quarterback Jim Kelly
and running back Thurman Thomas's first game after recovering from injuries, kicker Steve Christie made an NFL playoff record-tying 5 field goals. Thomas rushed for 96 yards and caught 5 passes for 70.
Midway through the first quarter, Bills lineman Bruce Smith forced a fumble from Marino while sacking him, and linebacker Darryl Talley
recovered it, setting up a 21-yard field goal by Steve Christie
. Miami struck back on their next drive with a 51-yard field goal from Pete Stoyanovich
. After the ensuing kickoff, Kelly led the Bills 64 yards in 7 plays and finished the drive with a 17-yard touchdown to Thomas early in the second quarter. Later on, Buffalo defensive end Phil Hansen
intercepted a pass from Marino and returned it to the Dolphins 24-yard line, setting up Christie's second field goal and giving the Bills a 13-3 lead by the end of the first half.
Then on the opening kickoff of the second half, Miami returner Mike Williams fumbled the ball while being tackled by Mark Pike, and Buffalo's Carwell Gardner recovered it at the Dolphins 25-yard line. Five plays later, running back Kenneth Davis scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Bills a 20-3 lead. Buffalo's defense took over the rest of the third quarter, holding the Dolphins offense to 2 offensive yards while Christie added two more field goals to increase their lead to 26-3. Marino completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mark Duper
in the final period. However, Christie kicked his 5th field goal of the game to clinch the victory.
This was the second straight year the Bills defeated a future Hall of Fame quarterback to advance to the Super Bowl as they beat John Elway
and his Denver Broncos
10-7 a season earlier.
nullified a 63-yard touchdown completion from quarterback Steve Young to wide receiver Jerry Rice
, and the 49ers had to punt. Despite a 19-yard reception from Michael Irvin
on the Cowboys first play, they also had to punt, but returner Alan Grant
fumbled the football after a hit from Dixon Edwards
and Dallas fullback Daryl Johnston
recovered it on the 49ers 22. Once again the Cowboys started their drive with a completion to Irvin, this one a 21-yard gain to the 1-yard line. But the San Francisco defense managed to hold them up on three consecutive plays, forcing Dallas to settle for Lin Elliot
's 20-yard field goal.
San Francisco 49ers running back Marc Logan
returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to the Cowboys 48-yard line. Aided by a 16-yard run from Ricky Watters
, San Francisco drove 48 yards and scored with Young's 1-yard touchdown run to take a 7-3 lead. Dallas was forced to punt on their next drive after Troy Aikman
was sacked twice (one by Bill Romanowski
and the other by Martin Harrison
) for 19 total yards, and Grant returned the football to the Cowboys 47-yard line. San Francisco then drove to the Dallas 29-yard line, but the drive stalled there and Mike Cofer missed a 47-yard field goal try. After a punt, Watters lost a fumble that was recovered by defensive back Kevin Smith
. Aided by a defensive holding call against Pierce Holt
for holding up running back Emmitt Smith
at the line on third down (the 49ers objected, stating that Holt was fooled by a fake handoff into thinking Smith actually had the ball), Dallas took a 10-7 lead with Smith's 4-yard touchdown run. A 21-yard reception by Rice sparked a 49ers drive to the Cowboys 10-yard line where Cofer made a 28-yard field goal to tie the game with less than two minutes left in the second quarter. Cofer's kickoff went out of bounds, giving Dallas a chance to score before the end of the half. Aikman managed to lead them to the 49ers 25-yard line, but Elliot's 43-yard field goal attempt went wide right and the score remained 10-10 going into halftime.
After receiving the second half kickoff, the Cowboys marched 78 yards, featuring a 38-yard leaping catch by Alvin Harper
over defensive back Eric Davis, to score on running back Daryl Johnston
's 3-yard touchdown run to take a 17-10 lead.
The 49ers struck back with a 35-yard completion from Young to Rice that set up a 43-yard field goal by Cofer, cutting the score to 17-13. However, Dallas put together a 79-yard drive which consumed nine minutes with a key 31-yard reception by tight end Jay Novacek
. This second long drive was capped by Aikman's 16-yard touchdown pass to Smith, giving the Cowboys a 24-13 advantage.
Midway through the final period, Cowboys linebacker Ken Norton Jr intercepted a pass from Young and returned it to the 49ers 45-yard line, and Dallas subsequently marched to the 7. Rather than attempt a field goal on 4th down and 1, Smith attempted to run for the first down, but was tackled by linebacker Mike Walter
for no gain. The 49ers then drove 93 yards to score on Rice's 5-yard touchdown reception, cutting the lead to 24-20 with 4:22 left in the game. But on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Aikman threw a 14-yard pass to Harper, who ended up running for a 70-yard gain to the San Francisco 9-yard line. Three plays later, wide receiver Kelvin Martin
scored on a 6-yard touchdown reception, making it 30-20 (the extra point was blocked) with 3:43 to play. The 49ers attempted one last drive to come back, but Young was intercepted once again, this time by cornerback James Washington
.
Aikman threw for 322 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. Smith rushed for 24 carries and 114 yards, caught 7 passes for 59 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns. Harper caught 3 passes for 117 yards. Defensive tackle Tony Casillas
recorded 3 sacks. Meanwhile, Young recorded 313 passing yards and one touchdown, but threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter. Rice caught 8 passes for 123 yards and a score. Watters rushed for 69 yards and caught 6 passes for 69.
This was later featured on NFL's Greatest Games
as Changing of the Guard
NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs are a single-elimination tournament held at the end of the regular season to determine the NFL champion. Six teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records, and a tie-breaking procedure exists in the...
following the 1992 NFL season
1992 NFL season
The 1992 NFL season was the 73rd regular season of the National Football League.Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Andrew, the New England Patriots–Miami Dolphins game that was scheduled for September 6 at Joe Robbie Stadium was rescheduled to October 18. Both teams originally had that...
led up to Super Bowl XXVII
Super Bowl XXVII
Super Bowl XXVII was a football game played on January 31, 1993 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1992 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Dallas Cowboys defeated the American Football Conference champion...
.
Bracket
NFC: Washington Redskins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7
Running back Brian Mitchell led the Redskins to the 24-7 victory with 109 rushing yards and 100 total yards on receptions and punt returns. The Vikings scored first on running back Terry AllenTerry Allen (football player)
Terry Thomas Allen, Jr. is a former American football running back in the National Football League. In the 1990 NFL Draft he was selected in the ninth round by the Minnesota Vikings.-Minnesota Vikings:...
's 1-yard touchdown that capped a 74-yard drive, but Washington controlled the game from that point on. Redskins kicker Chip Lohmiller
Chip Lohmiller
John McLeod "Chip" Lohmiller is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and the St. Louis Rams...
scored a 44-yard field goal and running back Earnest Byner
Earnest Byner
Earnest Alexander Byner is a former American football running back in the National Football League and is currently a running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars...
recorded a 3-yard touchdown to give Washington a 10-7 lead. Then on fourth down at the Minnesota 44-yard line late in the second quarter, Mitchell rushed 36 yards on a fake punt. He would then score on an 8-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Mark Rypien
Mark Rypien
Mark Robert Rypien is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He is the first Canadian-born quarterback to start in the NFL.-Biography:...
's 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Gary Clark
Gary Clark
Gary C. Clark is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played for the Washington Redskins , Phoenix Cardinals and Miami Dolphins .-Early life:...
in the third period closed out the scoring.
AFC: San Diego Chargers 17, Kansas City Chiefs 0
The Chargers shut out the Chiefs as San Diego scored two touchdowns in the second half. The game remained scoreless until midway through the third period when Chargers running back Marion ButtsMarion Butts
Marion Stevenson Butts, Jr. is a retired professional American football running back who played 7 seasons in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers, the New England Patriots and the Houston Oilers from 1989 to 1995....
scored on a 54-yard rushing touchdown. Then, San Diego defensive lineman Leslie O'Neal
Leslie O'Neal
Leslie O'Neal is a former football defensive end who played 13 years in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1986 to 1999....
intercepted a pass on Kansas City's next drive to set up kicker John Carney's 34-yard field goal. In the final period, Chargers linebacker Steve Hendrickson
Steve Hendrickson
Steven Daniel Hendrickson is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League...
, who lined up as a running back, scored on a 5-yard touchdown run.
AFC: Buffalo Bills 41, Houston Oilers 38 (OT)
Known as The ComebackThe Comeback (American football)
The Comeback was a NFL playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Oilers played January 3, 1993. It featured the Bills recovering from a 32-point deficit to win in overtime, and it remains the largest comeback in NFL history...
, the Bills mounted the greatest comeback in NFL history, overcoming a 35-3 deficit against the Oilers. The Bills were without future Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
quarterback Jim Kelly
Jim Kelly
James Edward Kelly is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the USFL's Houston Gamblers....
(who was injured in the last game of the season, a loss to the Oilers), All-Pro linebacker Cornelius Bennett
Cornelius Bennett
Cornelius O'Landa Bennett is a former American football linebacker who played for the Buffalo Bills from 1987 to 1995, Atlanta Falcons from 1996 to 1998, and the Indianapolis Colts from 1999 to 2000...
and lost starting running back Thurman Thomas to a hip injury, and the Oilers jumped to a 28-3 lead by halftime. Houston quarterback Warren Moon recorded 220 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in the first half. Then 1:41 into the third quarter, Oilers defensive back Bubba McDowell
Bubba McDowell
Bubba McDowell was an American football safety who played seven seasons in the National Football League for the Houston Oilers and Carolina Panthers. He played college football at the University of Miami. He is currently a defensive backs coach at Prairie View A&M University....
returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown, increasing their lead to 32 points. But quarterback Frank Reich
Frank Reich
Frank Michael Reich, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, and the Detroit Lions. For a time, he had the distinction of having led his team to the biggest comeback victory ever in both the collegiate...
led Buffalo to 5 unanswered touchdowns, including running back Kenneth Davis' 1-yard rushing score, Don Beebe
Don Beebe
Don Lee Beebe is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Buffalo Bills , Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers of the NFL....
's 38-yard touchdown reception, and wide receiver Andre Reed
Andre Reed
Andre Darnell Reed is a former professional American football player. He played wide receiver in the National Football League for 16 seasons, 15 with the Buffalo Bills and one with the Washington Redskins .Reed ranks tenth in NFL history in total career receptions with 951.-Football career:Reed...
's 3 touchdown catches. However, Oilers kicker Al Del Greco
Al Del Greco
Albert Louis Del Greco is a former American football placekicker and a current sports radio personality and high school coach in Birmingham, Alabama.-Biography:...
scored the tying 26-yard field goal with 12 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime. Early in the extra period, Bills defensive back Nate Odomes
Nate Odomes
Nathaniel Bernard Odomes is a former professional American football defensive back who played for the Buffalo Bills , Seattle Seahawks , and the Atlanta Falcons...
' interception set up Steve Christie
Steve Christie
Geoffrey Stephen Christie is a former Canadian American football placekicker in the National Football League, who, as a member of the Buffalo Bills, became known for his ability to kick clutch field goals, even in poor weather.-Early career:Christie, who grew up in nearby Oakville, Ontario,...
's 32-yard game field goal to give the Bills a 41-38 win.
Reich finished the game with 21 of 34 pass completions for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 1 interception. Reed had 8 catches for 136 yards and 3 touchdowns. Davis rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown, while also catching 2 passes for 25 yards. Moon recorded 36 of 50 completions for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 2 interceptions. Receiver Curtis Duncan
Curtis Duncan
Curtis Everett Duncan , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 10th round of the 1987 NFL Draft.A 5'11", 184-lb...
caught 9 passes for 117 yards. Jeffires recorded 8 catches for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns.
NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 36, New Orleans Saints 20
The Eagles overcame a 20-10 Saints lead late in the third quarter by scoring 26 points in the final period. New Orleans scored first on running back Craig HeywardCraig Heyward
Craig William "Ironhead" Heyward was an American football running back who played for the New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, St...
's 1-yard touchdown run, but it was countered with Philadelphia quarterback Randall Cunningham
Randall Cunningham
Randall W. Cunningham is a former American football quarterback.After playing college football at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he was selected in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he remained through the 1995 season...
's 57-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Fred Barnett
Fred Barnett
Fred Lee Barnett is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins...
. The Saints then went ahead 17-7 before halftime with kicker Morten Andersen
Morten Andersen
Morten Andersen , nicknamed "The Great Dane", is a former National Football League kicker. He holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, as well as being the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and...
's 35-yard field goal and wide receiver Quinn Early's 7-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Bobby Hebert
Bobby Hebert
Bobby Joseph Hebert Jr., is an American sportscaster who is best known as a retired Pro bowl American football quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. He played professionally in the USFL and NFL from 1983 to 1996 for the Michigan Panthers, Oakland Invaders, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons...
. The two teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, and the score was 20-10, New Orleans, going into the final period.
With less than 11 minutes left in the game, Cunningham connected with wide receiver Fred Barnett
Fred Barnett
Fred Lee Barnett is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins...
for a 35-yard touchdown completion. Then on the first play of the Saints' next possession, Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner
Seth Joyner
Seth Joyner is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos. Joyner graduated from Spring Valley High School.-Professional career:Joyner was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the...
intercepted a pass to set up running back Heath Sherman
Heath Sherman
Heath B. Sherman is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League for five seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Texas A&I University and was drafted in the six round of the 1989 NFL Draft....
's 6-yard touchdown, giving Philadelphia the lead, 24-20. After New Orleans got the ball back, Eagles defensive lineman Reggie White
Reggie White
Reginald Howard "Reggie" White was a professional American football player. He played 15 seasons as a defensive end in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the most decorated players in NFL history...
sacked Hebert in the end zone for a safety. Philadelphia kicker Roger Ruzek then added a 39-yard field goal, and 19 seconds later, defensive back Eric Allen
Eric Allen
Eric Andre Allen is a former professional American football cornerback who played in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders from 1988 to 2001....
intercepted Hebert and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown.
Byes
- AFC: Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - NFC: San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
AFC: Buffalo Bills 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 3
The Bills forced 4 turnovers and 7 sacks as they held the Steelers to just a field goal. Buffalo quarterback Frank ReichFrank Reich
Frank Michael Reich, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, and the Detroit Lions. For a time, he had the distinction of having led his team to the biggest comeback victory ever in both the collegiate...
threw for 160 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions; while running back Kenneth Davis rushed for 104 yards Steelers running back Barry Foster rushed for 104 yards and caught a pass for 7.
Pittsburgh scored first with kicker Gary Anderson's 38-yard field goal on their opening drive. However, Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell
Neil O'Donnell
Neil Kennedy O'Donnell is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tennessee Titans...
lost a fumble while being sacked by Bruce Smith, which Bills defensive lineman Phil Hansen
Phil Hansen (American football)
Phillip Allen Hansen is a former American football defensive end in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, drafted in the second round, making the 1991 all-rookie team, and playing on three Super Bowl teams...
recovered on the Bills 41-yard line. Buffalo then advanced 59 yards to score on Reich's 1-yard touchdown pass to Mitch Frerotte
Mitch Frerotte
Paul Mitchael Frerotte was an American professional football player who played as a guard for four seasons in the National Football League, all with the Buffalo Bills. Frerotte is perhaps best known for scoring three touchdowns during the 1992 NFL season, a record for an offensive lineman.Frerotte...
, an eligible lineman. On the opening drive of the second half, the Bills moved the ball 80 yards and scored with Reich's 17-yard touchdown pass to James Lofton
James Lofton
James David Lofton is a former American football player and coach. He is a former American football coach for the San Diego Chargers but is best known for his years in the National Football League as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers , Los Angeles Raiders , the Buffalo Bills...
. In the final period, a botched Steelers field goal attempt set up a 44-yard drive that ended with Bills kicker Steve Christie
Steve Christie
Geoffrey Stephen Christie is a former Canadian American football placekicker in the National Football League, who, as a member of the Buffalo Bills, became known for his ability to kick clutch field goals, even in poor weather.-Early career:Christie, who grew up in nearby Oakville, Ontario,...
's 43-yard field goal. The next time Buffalo got the ball, they drove 86 yards and scored on a 1-yard run from fullback Carwell Gardner
Carwell Gardner
Carwell Ernest Gardner is a former professional American football fullback in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Buffalo Bills , the Baltimore Ravens , and the San Diego Chargers...
.
NFC: San Francisco 49ers 20, Washington Redskins 13
Despite committing 4 turnovers, 49ers quarterback Steve Young passed for 227 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 73 yards, to beat the Redskins. Young threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver John TaylorJohn Taylor (American football player)
John Gregory Taylor is a former American football wide receiver with the San Francisco 49ers. Taylor attended Pennsauken High School and was one of six NFL players to come from PHS during the 1980s. Taylor attended Delaware State College and was a member of their football team, the Hornets...
to open the scoring. Then after the two teams traded field goals, Young connected with tight end Brent Jones
Brent Jones
Brent Michael Jones is a former American Football tight end who played almost his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers from 1987 to 1997. He was selected in the 5th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1986 NFL Draft...
on a 16-yard touchdown completion to give San Francisco a 17-3 lead before halftime. In the third quarter, Washington kicker Chip Lohmiller
Chip Lohmiller
John McLeod "Chip" Lohmiller is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and the St. Louis Rams...
made a 32-yard field goal to cut the lead, 17-6. Later in the period, Young lost a fumble at the San Francisco 15-yard line, and Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 17-13. Washington then reached the San Francisco 23-yard line before Rypien fumbled the football back to the 49ers. San Francisco then marched on a 14-play, 59-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes off the clock to score on kicker Mike Cofer's game-clinching 33-yard field goal. This was the last game of Joe Gibbs' first tenure as Redskins head coach.
NFC: Dallas Cowboys 34, Philadelphia Eagles 10
The Cowboys defense had 5 sacks, and held the Eagles offense for 178 yards and 10 points. Philadelphia scored first on a 32-yard field goal by kicker Roger Ruzek, but Dallas then scored 34 consecutive points. Cowboys quarterback Troy AikmanTroy Aikman
Troy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys...
threw two touchdown passes: a 1-yard score to tight end Derek Tennell and a 6-yarder to tight end Jay Novacek
Jay Novacek
Jay McKinley Novacek is a former American football tight end in the National Football League who played for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys . Novacek was a five-time Pro Bowler, who was selected to play each year from 1991 through 1995...
. Running back Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith
Emmitt James Smith, III is a retired American football player who was a running back in the National Football League for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American; thereafter, he played professionally for...
, who finished the game with 114 rushing yards, scored a 23-yard touchdown run, running back Derrick Gainer rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, and kicker Lin Elliott made two field goals. Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham's 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Calvin Williams closed out the scoring.
AFC: Miami Dolphins 31, San Diego Chargers 0
As the Dolphins defense shut out the Chargers, holding San Diego quarterback Stan HumphriesStan Humphries
William Stanley "Stan" Humphries is a former professional American football quarterback. He played for the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He played college football at Northeast Louisiana...
to just 18 of 44 completions for 140 yards and intercepting him four times. Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
threw 3 touchdown passes in the second quarter. All of Marino's touchdowns were set up by interceptions. Miami defensive back Troy Vincent
Troy Vincent
Troy Darnell Vincent is a former Defensive Back for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins with the 7th overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin.Mr...
's interception set up running back Tony Paige's 1-yard touchdown reception. Another interception by Vincent led to tight end Keith Jackson's 9-yard touchdown. Then linebacker Bryan Cox's interception set up Jackson's 30-yard touchdown. In the fourth period, Dolphins kicker Pete Stoyanovich
Pete Stoyanovich
Peter Stoyanovich and is an American football placekicker of Macedonian descent who played with the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and briefly the St. Louis Rams in the NFL. He attended college at Indiana University.A first-team all-pro in 1992, Stoyanovich finished his career in the top 35 in...
added a 22-yard field goal and running back Aaron Craver recorded a 25-yard rushing touchdown.
AFC Championship: Buffalo Bills 29, Miami Dolphins 10
The Bills intercepted Dolphins quarterback Dan MarinoDan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
twice, recovered 3 fumbles, forced 4 sacks, and held Miami to just 33 rushing yards. Although the Buffalo offense had trouble getting into the end zone because it was both quarterback Jim Kelly
Jim Kelly
James Edward Kelly is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the USFL's Houston Gamblers....
and running back Thurman Thomas's first game after recovering from injuries, kicker Steve Christie made an NFL playoff record-tying 5 field goals. Thomas rushed for 96 yards and caught 5 passes for 70.
Midway through the first quarter, Bills lineman Bruce Smith forced a fumble from Marino while sacking him, and linebacker Darryl Talley
Darryl Talley
Darryl Victor Talley is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
recovered it, setting up a 21-yard field goal by Steve Christie
Steve Christie
Geoffrey Stephen Christie is a former Canadian American football placekicker in the National Football League, who, as a member of the Buffalo Bills, became known for his ability to kick clutch field goals, even in poor weather.-Early career:Christie, who grew up in nearby Oakville, Ontario,...
. Miami struck back on their next drive with a 51-yard field goal from Pete Stoyanovich
Pete Stoyanovich
Peter Stoyanovich and is an American football placekicker of Macedonian descent who played with the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and briefly the St. Louis Rams in the NFL. He attended college at Indiana University.A first-team all-pro in 1992, Stoyanovich finished his career in the top 35 in...
. After the ensuing kickoff, Kelly led the Bills 64 yards in 7 plays and finished the drive with a 17-yard touchdown to Thomas early in the second quarter. Later on, Buffalo defensive end Phil Hansen
Phil Hansen (American football)
Phillip Allen Hansen is a former American football defensive end in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, drafted in the second round, making the 1991 all-rookie team, and playing on three Super Bowl teams...
intercepted a pass from Marino and returned it to the Dolphins 24-yard line, setting up Christie's second field goal and giving the Bills a 13-3 lead by the end of the first half.
Then on the opening kickoff of the second half, Miami returner Mike Williams fumbled the ball while being tackled by Mark Pike, and Buffalo's Carwell Gardner recovered it at the Dolphins 25-yard line. Five plays later, running back Kenneth Davis scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Bills a 20-3 lead. Buffalo's defense took over the rest of the third quarter, holding the Dolphins offense to 2 offensive yards while Christie added two more field goals to increase their lead to 26-3. Marino completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mark Duper
Mark Duper
Mark Super Duper is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League from 1982 to 1992. He played collegiately at Northwestern State University and was selected by the Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1982 NFL Draft...
in the final period. However, Christie kicked his 5th field goal of the game to clinch the victory.
This was the second straight year the Bills defeated a future Hall of Fame quarterback to advance to the Super Bowl as they beat John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
and his Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
10-7 a season earlier.
NFC Championship: Dallas Cowboys 30, San Francisco 49ers 20
Even though the Cowboys had only one more yard of total offense than the 49ers (416 to 415), Dallas forced four critical turnovers that helped them earn the win. On San Francisco's first drive of the game, a holding penalty on offensive lineman Guy McIntyreGuy McIntyre
Guy Maurice McIntyre is a former professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League...
nullified a 63-yard touchdown completion from quarterback Steve Young to wide receiver Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice
Jerry Lee Rice is a retired American football wide receiver. He is generally regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in National Football League history...
, and the 49ers had to punt. Despite a 19-yard reception from Michael Irvin
Michael Irvin
Michael Jerome Irvin is a former American football player for the Dallas Cowboys, and actor. He is also a former broadcaster for ESPN's NFL Countdown and currently an analyst for NFL Network. Irvin was self-nicknamed "The Playmaker" due to his penchant for making big plays in big games during his...
on the Cowboys first play, they also had to punt, but returner Alan Grant
Alan Grant (American football)
Alan Hays Grant is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Stanford University and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1990 NFL Draft. ...
fumbled the football after a hit from Dixon Edwards
Dixon Edwards
Dixon Voldean Edwards, III is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League from 1991 through 1998...
and Dallas fullback Daryl Johnston
Daryl Johnston
Daryl Peter "Moose" Johnston is a former National Football League fullback who played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys from 1989 to 1999.-High school career:...
recovered it on the 49ers 22. Once again the Cowboys started their drive with a completion to Irvin, this one a 21-yard gain to the 1-yard line. But the San Francisco defense managed to hold them up on three consecutive plays, forcing Dallas to settle for Lin Elliot
Lin Elliot
Lindley Franklin Elliott Jr. is a former kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. He played college football for Texas Tech...
's 20-yard field goal.
San Francisco 49ers running back Marc Logan
Marc Logan
Marc Anthony Logan is a former American football running back. After playing for the University of Kentucky in college, he was selected in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals...
returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to the Cowboys 48-yard line. Aided by a 16-yard run from Ricky Watters
Ricky Watters
Richard "Ricky" James Watters is a former American football running back who played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. Watters played college football at the University of Notre Dame where he played wide receiver on the...
, San Francisco drove 48 yards and scored with Young's 1-yard touchdown run to take a 7-3 lead. Dallas was forced to punt on their next drive after Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman
Troy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys...
was sacked twice (one by Bill Romanowski
Bill Romanowski
William Thomas "Bill" Romanowski is a former American football player. He was born in Vernon, Connecticut. A linebacker, he graduated from Rockville High School in 1984, Boston College in 1988 , and then went on to a 16-year career in the NFL, playing for the San Francisco 49ers , Philadelphia...
and the other by Martin Harrison
Martin Harrison
Martin Allen Harrison is a former American football defensive end who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Seattle Seahawks. He played college football for the University of Washington...
) for 19 total yards, and Grant returned the football to the Cowboys 47-yard line. San Francisco then drove to the Dallas 29-yard line, but the drive stalled there and Mike Cofer missed a 47-yard field goal try. After a punt, Watters lost a fumble that was recovered by defensive back Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith
Kevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, and director, as well as a popular comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and internet radio personality best recognized by viewers as Silent Bob...
. Aided by a defensive holding call against Pierce Holt
Pierce Holt
Pierce Holt is an American former professional football player who was a defensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons from 1988 to 1995. He played collegiately at Angelo State University and was selected by the 49ers in the 2nd round of the 1988 NFL Draft...
for holding up running back Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith
Emmitt James Smith, III is a retired American football player who was a running back in the National Football League for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American; thereafter, he played professionally for...
at the line on third down (the 49ers objected, stating that Holt was fooled by a fake handoff into thinking Smith actually had the ball), Dallas took a 10-7 lead with Smith's 4-yard touchdown run. A 21-yard reception by Rice sparked a 49ers drive to the Cowboys 10-yard line where Cofer made a 28-yard field goal to tie the game with less than two minutes left in the second quarter. Cofer's kickoff went out of bounds, giving Dallas a chance to score before the end of the half. Aikman managed to lead them to the 49ers 25-yard line, but Elliot's 43-yard field goal attempt went wide right and the score remained 10-10 going into halftime.
After receiving the second half kickoff, the Cowboys marched 78 yards, featuring a 38-yard leaping catch by Alvin Harper
Alvin Harper
Alvin Craig Harper is a former American football player in the National Football League. After going 1-15 in 1989 and 7-9 in 1990, the Dallas Cowboys were poised to capitalize on some key draft opportunities...
over defensive back Eric Davis, to score on running back Daryl Johnston
Daryl Johnston
Daryl Peter "Moose" Johnston is a former National Football League fullback who played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys from 1989 to 1999.-High school career:...
's 3-yard touchdown run to take a 17-10 lead.
The 49ers struck back with a 35-yard completion from Young to Rice that set up a 43-yard field goal by Cofer, cutting the score to 17-13. However, Dallas put together a 79-yard drive which consumed nine minutes with a key 31-yard reception by tight end Jay Novacek
Jay Novacek
Jay McKinley Novacek is a former American football tight end in the National Football League who played for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys . Novacek was a five-time Pro Bowler, who was selected to play each year from 1991 through 1995...
. This second long drive was capped by Aikman's 16-yard touchdown pass to Smith, giving the Cowboys a 24-13 advantage.
Midway through the final period, Cowboys linebacker Ken Norton Jr intercepted a pass from Young and returned it to the 49ers 45-yard line, and Dallas subsequently marched to the 7. Rather than attempt a field goal on 4th down and 1, Smith attempted to run for the first down, but was tackled by linebacker Mike Walter
Michael Walter (American football)
Michael David Walter is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League for eleven seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys....
for no gain. The 49ers then drove 93 yards to score on Rice's 5-yard touchdown reception, cutting the lead to 24-20 with 4:22 left in the game. But on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Aikman threw a 14-yard pass to Harper, who ended up running for a 70-yard gain to the San Francisco 9-yard line. Three plays later, wide receiver Kelvin Martin
Kelvin Martin (American football)
Kelvin Brian Martin is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL Draft. A 5'9",...
scored on a 6-yard touchdown reception, making it 30-20 (the extra point was blocked) with 3:43 to play. The 49ers attempted one last drive to come back, but Young was intercepted once again, this time by cornerback James Washington
James Washington
James McArthur Washington is a former American football safety for the UCLA Bruins and in the National Football League. Currently he is a co-host of FOX Sports Radio's flagship morning show Out Of Bounds with Craig Shemon...
.
Aikman threw for 322 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. Smith rushed for 24 carries and 114 yards, caught 7 passes for 59 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns. Harper caught 3 passes for 117 yards. Defensive tackle Tony Casillas
Tony Casillas
Tony Steven Casillas is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League from 1986 through 1997. While at the University of Oklahoma he helped win the 1985 NCAA National Championship. He also won the Lombardi Award in 1985 and was the 1985 UPI Lineman of the Year...
recorded 3 sacks. Meanwhile, Young recorded 313 passing yards and one touchdown, but threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter. Rice caught 8 passes for 123 yards and a score. Watters rushed for 69 yards and caught 6 passes for 69.
This was later featured on NFL's Greatest Games
NFL's Greatest Games
NFL's Greatest Games is a series of 90-minute television programs that air on NFL Network, ESPN and related networks. They are condensed versions of some of the most famous games in the history of the National Football League, using footage and sound captured by NFL Films, as well as original...
as Changing of the Guard