By Blessing 
- Even when the Dallas Cowboys aren’t part of the NFL playoffs, they always seem to find a way into the conversation.
This season, the Cowboys fell short of qualifying for the NFC playoffs, ending their hopes of breaking a decades-long drought of making it to the NFC Championship Game.
Until recently, the Washington Commanders held the record for the longest absence from an NFC Championship Game within the division. However, they broke that streak on Saturday night with a 45-31 victory over the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round.
This development might give Cowboys fans a glimmer of hope. If the Commanders can make it this far after such a long gap, maybe Dallas isn’t too far behind.
The last time the Cowboys reached an NFC Championship Game was during the 1995 NFL season. Specifically, they defeated the Green Bay Packers on January 14, 1996, to secure their spot in Super Bowl 30. That year, Dallas went on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17, claiming their fifth and most recent Super Bowl victory.
As the Cowboys now search for a new head coach, the pressure is mounting—not just to add another Super Bowl title to their storied history but also to make a deep playoff run that gets them closer to that elusive championship game once again.
When was the last time Dallas competed in the NFC Championship Game? It’s been nearly three decades, with their most recent appearance on January 14, 1996. That season, the Cowboys posted a solid 12-4 record, earned a first-round bye, and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round. They then went on to defeat the Packers in the NFC Championship before sealing the deal against the Steelers in the Super Bowl.
As for their latest playoff appearance, the Cowboys last made it in 2023. Unfortunately, their postseason run was short-lived, as they fell to the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round.
For Dallas fans, the wait continues, but history shows that anything can happen—especially in the NFL.