1990s Dallas Cowboys not among NFL’s greatest dynasties, claims ESPN host

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Few would argue that the 90s were the greatest years in Dallas Cowboys history, but it’s not among the greatest NFL dynasties.

That’s at least the opinion of Mike Greenberg, host of the ESPN program “Get Up!”.

Following the second successive Super Bowl title by the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, the talk of greatest football dynasties has inevitably come up.

It’s been over 30 years since “America’s Team” won a world championship, and it seems that’s been erased from ESPN’s memory.

Only two franchises since the 90s Cowboys have won consecutive titles, the New England Patriots in 2003 and 04 and the Kansas City Chiefs over the past two seasons.

Who were the top five dynasties

Looking at the top five dynasties according to “Get Up!” it’s clearly not a question of the Cowboys Super Bowls being too long ago.

Greenberg’s number one is Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, who captured the first two titles during the Super Bowl era.

No one would argue that Chuck Noll’s Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s should be on the list, and they come in at #2, winning consecutive titles twice in that decade.

The San Francisco 49ers in the 80s were next at #3, while Greenberg had the Chiefs three Super Bowls (2019-2023) at #4, missing out on the big game only once (2021).

At #5 was the New England Patriots from 2014-2018.

That’s a curious one just because the Pats never won consecutive Super Bowls in that time.

However according to Wikipedia, a sports dynasty is when a team dominates their league for an extended period, as opposed to what some believe, which is winning consecutive titles.

What did the Cowboys achieve in the ’90s

When you examine closely what Dallas achieved in the 90s, leaving them off this dynasty list is puzzling.

From 1992 to 95, the Cowboys compiled a record of 59-16, winning three Super Bowls over that stretch, including back-to-back in 92 and 93.

In 1994, they nearly came back from a 21-point deficit versus the 49ers, losing the NFC Championship Game to them 38-28.

They were that close to winning three in a row and potentially a four-peat as Barry Switzer led them to the title in 1995.

Eight Cowboys from their 90s era are now Hall of Famers, Jerry Jones, Jimmy Johnson, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin Charles Haley, Larry Allen and Deion Sanders.

Darren Woodson, meanwhile, narrowly missed induction this year, but you have to think he’ll get to Canton soon.

The Cowboys ‘almost years‘

If you’re an NFL historian, you’ll know that outside of their Super Bowl triumphs, the Cowboys had their share of almost victories.

In the early days of the Super Bowl, when the conferences were known as the NFL and AFL, Dallas had a couple of near dynasties.

In 1966 and 67, they conceded late touchdowns to the Packers to lose the conference title game both times.

Tom Landry’s Cowboys in 1975 and 78 lost to the Steelers both times by a mere four points, which had they won would’ve given them three Super Bowls in four seasons.

No matter your definition of a dynasty, there’s more than enough evidence to suggest the 90s Cowboys deserve a place as one of the top five dynasties of all time.