Every NFL team holds some kind of history in them. Even the Texans and the Panthers and the Ravens, the three earliest teams in the league. Here is a piece of history about every team.
When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, everyone seems to really like them or really hate them. But there is no doubt that the Cowboys are one of the most successful franchises in NFL history.
The Cowboys played in the Western Conference in 1960, then moved to the Eastern Conference in 1961. In 1970, after the AFL-NFL merger, the Cowboys were placed in the NFC East along with the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, and St. Louis Cardinals. The division went to its current four-team format in 2002 when the Texans were founded.
The franchise started in 1960 and modernized the NFL that year. They finished a miserable 0-11-1. But, that sometimes is normal for an NFL expansion team. They are lucky enough to win a few games in their inaugural season.
The Dallas Cowboys slowly improved, until 1966 when their 10-3-1 record brought them to the playoffs. They made it to the NFL Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers, but lost. The Cowboys repeated the same thing in 1967.
Due to being unable to win the big game, the Cowboys became well known as "Next Year's Champions."
In 1970, they made it to Super Bowl V against the Baltimore Colts, the Cowboys' first Super Bowl. They lost 16-13 on a last-second field goal by the Colts.
They returned to the Super Bowl the next year with an 11-3 record, won against the Vikings in the Divisional Round 20-12, won against the 49ers in the Conference Championship 14-3, then defeated the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI 24-3. That is the closest any team has come to a shutout in a Super Bowl.
The Cowboys remained dormant for several years. Then, in 1975, they made it to Super Bowl X against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys lost 21-17.
The Cowboys once again were dormant in Super Bowl appearances until 1977. They had a 12-2 record when they defeated the Bears in the Divisional Round 37-7, the Vikings in the Conference Championship 23-6, then qualified for Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos.
The dominant Doomsday Defense II only allowed 10 points for the Broncos, and the Cowboys' offense scored 27 points. In fact, the 1977 Dallas Cowboys had the #1 offense and #1 defense in the league (that's tough!).
The Cowboys returned to the Super Bowl the next year, in Super Bowl XIII, against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rematch from 1975. The differences in this season, though is a Cowboys and Rams game in Week 3. They both had 2-0 records so far.
The Rams succeeded against the Cowboys 27-14. It was shown that in a bit of frustration and anger, Roger Staubach (quarterback) pointed his finger at several Rams players and said the Cowboys will "get them" the next game they play against each other.
Eventually, Staubach was right. The Cowboys defeated the Atlanta Falcons 27-20 in the Divisional Round, then went to the NFC Championship against the Los Angeles Rams. The Cowboys shutout the Rams 28-0, after Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson predicted that the Cowboys would smash the Rams in a shutout. His prediction turned out to be very accurate.
The Cowboys faced the Steelers for the second time in the decade in Super Bowl XIII. The Cowboys lost again, but this time the score was 35-31 Steelers. The Cowboys had once again lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
At the time, the Steelers, Dolphins, and Raiders pretty much ruled the AFC and dominated their NFC opponents in the Super Bowl. They proved that in the '70s. The Steelers won 4 Super Bowls that decade.
After that, the Super Bowl dynasties are well defined: Green Bay Packers in the 1960s, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s. The Cowboys were one of the dominating NFC teams, along with the Rams and Vikings.
In 1979, Staubach played his last season. The Cowboys had some struggles, because Tony Dorsett was out with an injury, this was Staubach's last season, and Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson wasn't playing due to his speeches and behavior.
The Cowboys still managed to make it to the playoffs in a close victory against the Washington Redskins (35-34). It was Staubach's greatest comeback, second being the "Hail Mary" pass in the 1975 playoffs.
The Cowboys still hung on to winning seasons, but 1985 was the final season for the Cowboys' 20 consecutive winning seasons (1966-1985). In 1986, they had a record of 7-9, their first losing season since 1965. The Cowboys slowly sank down in the late 1980s, and nearly hit rock bottom in 1989, winning only one of 16 games due to the owner being Jerry Jones. He immediately fired Tom Landry as he was "horrified" on Landry's play-calling.
He wanted to get on a fresh, new start, and he succeeded.
The Cowboys started floating up in 1990 and 1991, and won the Super Bowl in 1992. They had a dominant 13-3 record, second best in the league (after the 49ers 14-2 record). The Cowboys got home field advantage and a bye week for being the 2nd seed.
They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round 34-10, then the 49ers in the championship game 30-20. They topped off their season by defeating the Buffalo Bills 52-17 in Super Bowl XXVII, being the most points scored in a Super Bowl at the time (later beaten by the 49ers, who defeated the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIX 55-10). The Bills also received their 3rd consecutive Super Bowl loss.
The Cowboys won the Super Bowl against the Buffalo Bills again in 1993, being the only time 2 teams played each other in the Super Bowl twice in a row.
The Cowboys also became the first team to win the Super Bowl after starting 0-2. They ended the regular season with a 12-4 record, and a 1st seed in the playoffs (NFC didn't get that high records that year).
The Cowboys defeated the Green Bay Packers 27-17 in the Divisional Round, then the 49ers 38-21 in the Conference Championship, leading up to Super Bowl XXVIII.
The Cowboys defeated the Buffalo Bills once again 30-13, giving the Bills a record 4 consecutive Super Bowl losses. The Cowboys celebrated their 4th Super Bowl title that year, tying the NFL record for the moment.
The Cowboys made it all the way to the NFC Championship in 1994, before losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship 38-28.
The Cowboys won the Super Bowl for a record 3rd time in 4 years in 1995. They finished with a 12-4 record, and a 1st seed in the playoffs.
They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round 30-11, then defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship 38-27.
They qualified for Super Bowl XXX for the third rematch against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This time, it was the Cowboys who won.
They defeated Pittsburgh 27-17, conquering a 13-0 lead in the 2nd quarter.
From 1995 to now, the Cowboys have not won or returned to another Super Bowl. The closest they have come is the Divisional Round.
The Cowboys had 3 consecutive 5-11 seasons in the early 2011s, and 3 consecutive 8-8 seasons in the early 2010s.
The Cowboys had some pretty good years in 2007, 2009, and 2014, but lost in the Divisional Round each time (2007 - New York Giants, 2009 - Minnesota Vikings, 2014 - Green Bay Packers).
To visit the Dallas Cowboys website at NFL.com, here is a link
The Cowboys played in the Western Conference in 1960, then moved to the Eastern Conference in 1961. In 1970, after the AFL-NFL merger, the Cowboys were placed in the NFC East along with the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, and St. Louis Cardinals. The division went to its current four-team format in 2002 when the Texans were founded.
The franchise started in 1960 and modernized the NFL that year. They finished a miserable 0-11-1. But, that sometimes is normal for an NFL expansion team. They are lucky enough to win a few games in their inaugural season.
The Dallas Cowboys slowly improved, until 1966 when their 10-3-1 record brought them to the playoffs. They made it to the NFL Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers, but lost. The Cowboys repeated the same thing in 1967.
Due to being unable to win the big game, the Cowboys became well known as "Next Year's Champions."
In 1970, they made it to Super Bowl V against the Baltimore Colts, the Cowboys' first Super Bowl. They lost 16-13 on a last-second field goal by the Colts.
They returned to the Super Bowl the next year with an 11-3 record, won against the Vikings in the Divisional Round 20-12, won against the 49ers in the Conference Championship 14-3, then defeated the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI 24-3. That is the closest any team has come to a shutout in a Super Bowl.
The Cowboys remained dormant for several years. Then, in 1975, they made it to Super Bowl X against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys lost 21-17.
The Cowboys once again were dormant in Super Bowl appearances until 1977. They had a 12-2 record when they defeated the Bears in the Divisional Round 37-7, the Vikings in the Conference Championship 23-6, then qualified for Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos.
The dominant Doomsday Defense II only allowed 10 points for the Broncos, and the Cowboys' offense scored 27 points. In fact, the 1977 Dallas Cowboys had the #1 offense and #1 defense in the league (that's tough!).
The Cowboys returned to the Super Bowl the next year, in Super Bowl XIII, against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rematch from 1975. The differences in this season, though is a Cowboys and Rams game in Week 3. They both had 2-0 records so far.
The Rams succeeded against the Cowboys 27-14. It was shown that in a bit of frustration and anger, Roger Staubach (quarterback) pointed his finger at several Rams players and said the Cowboys will "get them" the next game they play against each other.
Eventually, Staubach was right. The Cowboys defeated the Atlanta Falcons 27-20 in the Divisional Round, then went to the NFC Championship against the Los Angeles Rams. The Cowboys shutout the Rams 28-0, after Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson predicted that the Cowboys would smash the Rams in a shutout. His prediction turned out to be very accurate.
The Cowboys faced the Steelers for the second time in the decade in Super Bowl XIII. The Cowboys lost again, but this time the score was 35-31 Steelers. The Cowboys had once again lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
At the time, the Steelers, Dolphins, and Raiders pretty much ruled the AFC and dominated their NFC opponents in the Super Bowl. They proved that in the '70s. The Steelers won 4 Super Bowls that decade.
After that, the Super Bowl dynasties are well defined: Green Bay Packers in the 1960s, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s. The Cowboys were one of the dominating NFC teams, along with the Rams and Vikings.
In 1979, Staubach played his last season. The Cowboys had some struggles, because Tony Dorsett was out with an injury, this was Staubach's last season, and Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson wasn't playing due to his speeches and behavior.
The Cowboys still managed to make it to the playoffs in a close victory against the Washington Redskins (35-34). It was Staubach's greatest comeback, second being the "Hail Mary" pass in the 1975 playoffs.
The Cowboys still hung on to winning seasons, but 1985 was the final season for the Cowboys' 20 consecutive winning seasons (1966-1985). In 1986, they had a record of 7-9, their first losing season since 1965. The Cowboys slowly sank down in the late 1980s, and nearly hit rock bottom in 1989, winning only one of 16 games due to the owner being Jerry Jones. He immediately fired Tom Landry as he was "horrified" on Landry's play-calling.
He wanted to get on a fresh, new start, and he succeeded.
The Cowboys started floating up in 1990 and 1991, and won the Super Bowl in 1992. They had a dominant 13-3 record, second best in the league (after the 49ers 14-2 record). The Cowboys got home field advantage and a bye week for being the 2nd seed.
They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round 34-10, then the 49ers in the championship game 30-20. They topped off their season by defeating the Buffalo Bills 52-17 in Super Bowl XXVII, being the most points scored in a Super Bowl at the time (later beaten by the 49ers, who defeated the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIX 55-10). The Bills also received their 3rd consecutive Super Bowl loss.
The Cowboys won the Super Bowl against the Buffalo Bills again in 1993, being the only time 2 teams played each other in the Super Bowl twice in a row.
The Cowboys also became the first team to win the Super Bowl after starting 0-2. They ended the regular season with a 12-4 record, and a 1st seed in the playoffs (NFC didn't get that high records that year).
The Cowboys defeated the Green Bay Packers 27-17 in the Divisional Round, then the 49ers 38-21 in the Conference Championship, leading up to Super Bowl XXVIII.
The Cowboys defeated the Buffalo Bills once again 30-13, giving the Bills a record 4 consecutive Super Bowl losses. The Cowboys celebrated their 4th Super Bowl title that year, tying the NFL record for the moment.
The Cowboys made it all the way to the NFC Championship in 1994, before losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship 38-28.
The Cowboys won the Super Bowl for a record 3rd time in 4 years in 1995. They finished with a 12-4 record, and a 1st seed in the playoffs.
They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round 30-11, then defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship 38-27.
They qualified for Super Bowl XXX for the third rematch against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This time, it was the Cowboys who won.
They defeated Pittsburgh 27-17, conquering a 13-0 lead in the 2nd quarter.
From 1995 to now, the Cowboys have not won or returned to another Super Bowl. The closest they have come is the Divisional Round.
The Cowboys had 3 consecutive 5-11 seasons in the early 2011s, and 3 consecutive 8-8 seasons in the early 2010s.
The Cowboys had some pretty good years in 2007, 2009, and 2014, but lost in the Divisional Round each time (2007 - New York Giants, 2009 - Minnesota Vikings, 2014 - Green Bay Packers).
To visit the Dallas Cowboys website at NFL.com, here is a link
The New York Giants is the oldest team in the NFC East, and the fourth oldest in the NFC (behind the Packers, Bears, and Cardinals). Yet, they have been to the playoffs 31 times, tying the Cowboys.
The Giants play in the NFC East, along with the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Washington Redskins.
The Giants currently have 8 NFL titles; 4 before the Super Bowl and 4 during the Super Bowl.
The Giants were one of five teams that joined the NFL in 1925, and they are the only one that is still existing.
The Giants play their home games at East Rutherford, New Jersey at Metlife Stadium, sharing the stadium with the AFC East team New York Jets.
The Giants have also appeared in more championship games than any other team (19). They are ranked third in NFL Championships, behind the Green Bay Packers (13) and the Chicago Bears (9).
In the Giants' history, they have featured 15 Hall of Fame players, including MVP award players Mel Hein, Frank Gifford, Y. A. Tittle, and Lawrence Taylor.
Around the 1920s and 1930s, NFL teams got their name from the baseball teams in their city, and the Giants did the same thing. To distinguish themselves from the baseball team known as the Giants, the football team was incorporated as the "New York National League Football Company, Inc." in 1929 and changed to the "New York Football Giants, Inc." in 1937. Although the baseball New York Giants moved to San Francisco in 1957, the football team continues to use "New York Football Giants, Inc." as its legal corporate name, and is often referred to by fans and sportscasters as the "New York Football Giants."
The team also has several nicknames, including "Big Blue," "G-Men," and the "Jints." Those nicknames originated from the baseball Giants when they were in New York.
The Giants have had a heated rivalry with the Philadelphia Eagles, which is the oldest NFC East rivalry, dating back to 1933. It has also been called the best rivalry in the NFL 2000s.
On October 4, 1925, the Giants played their first game away from home against All New Britain in New Britain, Connecticut. They defeated New Britain 26-0 in front of 10,000 fans. The Giants finished with an 8-4 record their first season.
In their third season (1927), the team became league champions, having a record of 11-1-1 and was awarded the NFL title. The Giants had a bad 1928 season which caused owner Mara to buy the entire squad known as the Detroit Wolverines to acquire star quarterback Benny Friedman, and merged the Giants and the Wolverines.
In a fourteen-year span from 1933 to 1947, the Giants qualified for the NFL Championship Game 8 times, winning twice. The Giants were led by Hall of Fame coach Steve Owen in that span, and had Hall of Fame players such as Mel Hein, Red Badgro, and Tuffy Leemans. This period also included the famous "Sneakers Game," when they defeated the Chicago Bears on an icy field in the 1934 Championship Game, while wearing sneakers for better traction. The Giants were successful in the later half of the 1930s
The Giants play in the NFC East, along with the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Washington Redskins.
The Giants currently have 8 NFL titles; 4 before the Super Bowl and 4 during the Super Bowl.
The Giants were one of five teams that joined the NFL in 1925, and they are the only one that is still existing.
The Giants play their home games at East Rutherford, New Jersey at Metlife Stadium, sharing the stadium with the AFC East team New York Jets.
The Giants have also appeared in more championship games than any other team (19). They are ranked third in NFL Championships, behind the Green Bay Packers (13) and the Chicago Bears (9).
In the Giants' history, they have featured 15 Hall of Fame players, including MVP award players Mel Hein, Frank Gifford, Y. A. Tittle, and Lawrence Taylor.
Around the 1920s and 1930s, NFL teams got their name from the baseball teams in their city, and the Giants did the same thing. To distinguish themselves from the baseball team known as the Giants, the football team was incorporated as the "New York National League Football Company, Inc." in 1929 and changed to the "New York Football Giants, Inc." in 1937. Although the baseball New York Giants moved to San Francisco in 1957, the football team continues to use "New York Football Giants, Inc." as its legal corporate name, and is often referred to by fans and sportscasters as the "New York Football Giants."
The team also has several nicknames, including "Big Blue," "G-Men," and the "Jints." Those nicknames originated from the baseball Giants when they were in New York.
The Giants have had a heated rivalry with the Philadelphia Eagles, which is the oldest NFC East rivalry, dating back to 1933. It has also been called the best rivalry in the NFL 2000s.
On October 4, 1925, the Giants played their first game away from home against All New Britain in New Britain, Connecticut. They defeated New Britain 26-0 in front of 10,000 fans. The Giants finished with an 8-4 record their first season.
In their third season (1927), the team became league champions, having a record of 11-1-1 and was awarded the NFL title. The Giants had a bad 1928 season which caused owner Mara to buy the entire squad known as the Detroit Wolverines to acquire star quarterback Benny Friedman, and merged the Giants and the Wolverines.
In a fourteen-year span from 1933 to 1947, the Giants qualified for the NFL Championship Game 8 times, winning twice. The Giants were led by Hall of Fame coach Steve Owen in that span, and had Hall of Fame players such as Mel Hein, Red Badgro, and Tuffy Leemans. This period also included the famous "Sneakers Game," when they defeated the Chicago Bears on an icy field in the 1934 Championship Game, while wearing sneakers for better traction. The Giants were successful in the later half of the 1930s