Ranking the Super Bowls, #33: Super Bowl XXX

(photo credit: cbsnews.com)

If one was watching this Super Bowl with a family member who was alive during the 70s before the 30th Super Bowl kicked off, their ears would be full of tales from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys previous title showdowns. Both franchises were the toast of the NFL during the early Super Bowl era with the teams winning six championships and facing each other two times.

However that was ancient history when the two teams met in Tempe Arizona on Jan. 28, 1996. The Cowboys had established themselves as the team of the 1990s. Led by the offensive trio of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irving, shutdown corner Deion Sanders and second year coach Barry Switzer Dallas was trying for their third title in four years.

Pittsburgh on the other hand remained competitive in the early 90s. However, fourth-year head coach Bill Cowher had the reputation of falling short in big games after losing the AFC Championship at home the year before. Because of these factors the Cowboys entered the game two touchdown favorites. Pittsburgh was getting a boost with the return of All-Pro Cornerback Rod Woodson. He had torn his ACL in Week 1 but had a remarkable recovery to play in the Super Bowl.

Early in the game it appeared that Vegas' scoreline would be accurate. Quarterback Neil O'Donnell and the Pittsburgh offense were unable to get the ball moving. On the other side of the ball Dallas' Offensive Line mauled the Steelers' front seven and jumped to a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

After an Offensive Pass Interference penalty was called on Irving Dallas settled for a field goal to go up 13-0. After seeing their defense hold the Cowboys deep in their territory the Steelers offense found new energy. O'Donnell guided Pittsburgh to the 68 yard drive and their first score when he connected with Yancey Thigpen for the six-yard pass.

After shutting down the Cowboys offense on their first drive of the second half the Steelers looked like they had the momentum going their way. Then O'Donnell threw the first of two passes picked off by Cornerback Larry Brown. Dallas took advantage of the great field position and Smith was able to punch the ball in from the one and extend the lead to 20-7.

Pittsburgh would then go on to score 10 unanswered point to close the gap to three midway through the fourth quarter in a run which included a successful onside kick.

Pittsburgh had the ball on their 32 yard line with 4:08 left in the final frame when Super Bowl MVP Brown picked off another O'Donnell pass. Two plays later, Smith punched in another touchdown to seal the 27-17 victory for the Cowboys.