On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys will meet in a playoff matchup that pits two of the most legendary franchises in the NFL against one another.
Although they do not encounter on a regular basis, meetings between these two teams on the field of goal-scoring occasions tend to be satisfying.
In the postseason, the two teams have shared a number of memorable contests, the most recent being referred to as the “Dez Caught It” game.
Despite the Packers holding a 21-17 head-to-head advantage, the two teams have shared four victories in the postseason. In the head-to-head record for the playoffs, whichever team emerges victorious on Sunday will possess a sense of pride.
The Cowboys and Packers’ rivalry dates back to the 1960s, when in 1966 and 1967 they met in consecutive NFL Championship Games.
Both of those contests were won by the Packers, with the 1967 contest being dubbed the “Ice Bowl” due to the -13 degree temperature at kickoff. The Cowboys were undefeated against the Packers during Vince Lombardi’s tenure as head coach.
Four playoffs later, including three in the 1990s, the Cowboys prevailed over the Packers. However, the Packers have since won their last two playoff meetings.
An analysis of every playoff matchup between the Cowboys and Packers is as follows:
NFL Championship game of 1966
At the Cotton Bowl, the Packers defeated the Cowboys 34-27. Following a victory over the Cowboys, Bart Starr and the Green Bay Packers were crowned champions of Super Bowl I.
“The Ice Bowl” won the 1967 NFL title.
The Packers edged the Cowboys 21-17 in the “Ice Bowl” that took place at Lambeau Field. Later in the game, Starr sneaked in the quarterback for the Packers to win. Following that, the Packers triumphed in Super Bowl II.
NFC Divisional Round of 1982
At the helm of the Cowboys’ inaugural playoff triumph over the Packers are Tony Hill, Danny White, Tony Dorsett, and Drew Pearson. Coaches Bart Starr and Tom Landry met in this contest at Texas Stadium. After that, the Cowboys were defeated in the NFC Championship game by the Redskins.
NFC Divisional Round, 1993
Under the leadership of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, the Cowboys defeated the Packers 27-17. Aikman threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns. They went on to triumph over Brett Favre and the Packers in Super Bowl XXVIII.
1994 NFC Round of Divisions
This time, 35-9, the Cowboys’ Big Three defeated Favre and the Packers. Once more, Aikman surpassed 300 yards through the air, while Blair Thomas paced the team in rushing with 70 yards and two touchdowns. Following that loss to the 49ers, the Cowboys failed to secure three consecutive Super Bowl victories.
1995 NFC Round of Championships
The Packers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Cowboys for the third consecutive season. Smith paced the Cowboys with three touchdowns and 150 yards rushing. Following that, the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX. The Cowboys have not participated in the NFC Championship game since that occasion.
