Even when they’re not in the NFL playoffs, they’re still in the NFL playoff conversation.
The Dallas Cowboys missed out on making the NFC playoff field this year, ending a chance at ending a decades-long NFC championship game drought.
While the NFC East-rival Commanders held the distinct and unfortunate label of holding the NFC’s longest championship-game appearance drought, Washington ended that on Saturday night with a 45-31 win over the Lions in the NFC divisional round.
Now, the Cowboys proved it might not be hard to keep up with the Joneses after all.
Dallas’ last appearance in an NFC championship game came in the 1995 NFL season. More specifically, it came on Jan. 14, 1996, when the Cowboys defeated the Green Bay Packers to advance to Super Bowl 30. They would defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the matchup to give the Cowboys their fifth – and last – Super Bowl victory.
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Now, with Dallas searching for a new head coach to once again reach the promised land, there’s not only added pressure to add another ring to Dallas’ jewelry box, but to at least come within striking distance of one.
When was the last time the Cowboys went to the NFC championship game?
Dallas last made the NFC championship game on Jan. 14, 1996. The Cowboys finished the regular season 12-4 and received a first-round bye for their efforts.
They defeated hated rival Philadelphia in the NFC divisional round before downing the Packers in the NFC championship game. They would defeat the Steelers in Super Bowl 30, 27-17.
When did the Cowboys last make the playoffs?
The Cowboys aren’t exactly running a playoff drought, however. While Dallas missed they playoffs in 2024, it did make the playoffs in 2023, losing to the Packers in the wild card round.
Longest NFC championship game droughts
Here’s when each NFC team last made an appearance in the NFL semifinals (parenthesis indicates last year a championship game was won):
- Dallas Cowboys: 1995 (1995)
- Chicago Bears: 2010 (2006)
- New York Giants: 2011 (2011)
- Seattle Seahawks: 2014 (2014)
- Arizona Cardinals: 2015 (2008)
- Carolina Panthers: 2015 (2015)
- Atlanta Falcons: 2016 (2016)
- Minnesota Vikings: 2017 (1976)
- New Orleans Saints: 2018 (2009)
- Green Bay Packers: 2020 (2010)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2020 (2020)
- Los Angeles Rams: 2021 (2021)
- Philadelphia Eagles: 2022 (2022)
- San Francisco 49ers: 2023 (2023)
- Detroit Lions: 2024 (N/A)
- Washington Commanders: 2024 (1991)