Cowboys–49ers

The Rivalry

Though they have never shared a division, the Cowboys and 49ers built one of football's marquee rivalries through the postseason. Dallas controlled the early chapters, beating San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game after both the 1970 and 1971 seasons. The balance shifted with Joe Montana's arrival, punctuated by "The Catch" in the January 1982 title game. The rivalry hit its absolute peak from the 1992 through 1994 seasons, when the teams met in the NFC Championship Game three straight years; the winner went on to claim the Super Bowl each time. CBS named it the No. 1 NFL rivalry of the 1990s.

What's at Stake

This rivalry is about championship pedigree: with five Super Bowl titles each, Dallas and San Francisco carry two of the NFL's proudest histories. Because the teams sit in different divisions, the stakes peak in January, when a postseason matchup can mean a trip to the Super Bowl.

Famous Moments

• 1970 — Dallas beat San Francisco 17-10 in the NFC Championship Game to reach the Super Bowl.
• 1981 season — "The Catch": Joe Montana's late touchdown to Dwight Clark won the NFC Championship 28-27 over Dallas.
• 1992 — Dallas won the NFC Championship Game 30-20 in San Francisco on the way to a Super Bowl title.
• 1994 — San Francisco beat Dallas 38-28 in the NFC Championship Game.
• 2022 — San Francisco defeated Dallas 19-12 in an NFC Divisional playoff, reviving the postseason rivalry.

Plan the Trip

A coast-to-coast bucket-list rivalry, this matchup pairs two of the NFL's most glamorous destinations. The Cowboys host at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a colossal domed venue known for its enormous video board. The 49ers play at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Sources

• 49ers–Cowboys rivalry, Wikipedia