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Cowboys–Steelers rivalry
Historic NFL Rivalry

Cowboys–Steelers

Super Bowl royalty across conferences

Matchup:Cowboys–Steelers
First Meeting:1960
Type:Cross-conference classic
2026 Meetings:0

The Cowboys and Steelers belong to different conferences, so they meet only rarely in the regular season, yet they staged three Super Bowls against each other. Those championship clashes turned a non-division pairing into one of the NFL's signature rivalries.

The Rivalry

Dallas and Pittsburgh first met in 1960, but the rivalry's identity was forged in championship games rather than routine scheduling. As an AFC-versus-NFC matchup, the teams typically face off only once every four years, which makes each meeting carry extra weight. The 1970s pushed the rivalry to the front of the league: two of the decade's marquee franchises met in Super Bowl X and Super Bowl XIII, with the Steelers prevailing both times. The clubs reconnected in Super Bowl XXX after the 1995 season, when Dallas finally beat Pittsburgh on the sport's biggest stage.

What's at Stake

Because they share no division, Cowboys-Steelers games are scarce, so each one feels like an event rather than a routine date. The rivalry links two of the NFL's most storied and widely followed franchises. With a combined trove of Super Bowl history, the stakes are largely about legacy and bragging rights.

Famous Moments

  • 1976 — Pittsburgh won Super Bowl X 21-17, sealed by Glen Edwards' end-zone interception of Roger Staubach.
  • 1979 — The Steelers edged the Cowboys 35-31 in Super Bowl XIII, marked by Jackie Smith's dropped end-zone pass.
  • 1982 — Pittsburgh won the season opener 36-28, ending a long Cowboys season-opening winning streak.
  • 1996 — Dallas beat Pittsburgh 27-17 in Super Bowl XXX for the Cowboys' first Super Bowl win over the Steelers.

The Two Teams

Plan the Trip

A cross-conference clash worth crossing the country for. The Cowboys host at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a colossal domed venue famous for its enormous hanging video board, while the Steelers play at Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh's North Shore, beside the rivers downtown. Because the teams meet only once every few years, catching this rare matchup at either venue is a genuine bucket-list event.

Frequently Asked Questions: Cowboys–Steelers

The two teams first met in 1960. The Cowboys and Steelers belong to different conferences, so they meet only rarely in the regular season, yet they staged three Super Bowls against each other. Those championship clashes turned a non-division pairing into one of the NFL's signature rivalries.

Because they share no division, Cowboys-Steelers games are scarce, so each one feels like an event rather than a routine date. The rivalry links two of the NFL's most storied and widely followed franchises. With a combined trove of Super Bowl history, the stakes are largely about legacy and bragging rights.

These teams are not scheduled to meet in the 2026 regular season; cross-conference rivals meet only once every few years.

Dallas Cowboys host at AT&T Stadium in Arlington; Pittsburgh Steelers play at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

Sources