49ers-Cowboys Playoff History: A Competitive Past

49ers vs. Cowboys Playoff History: 1970 NFC Championship

January 3rd, 1971, the 49ers faced off against the Dallas Cowboys, in what would become the beginning of a decades-long rivalry. The game was held in San Francisco, and the winner would go on to the Super Bowl. This is the first in the 49ers vs Cowboys playoff history.

The 49ers were coached by Dick Nolan and the team’s record in the season was 11-4-1, according to Pro Football Reference. John Brodie was the 49ers’ quarterback, and he completed 19 passes out of 40 attempts for 262 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

The Cowboys were coached by Tom Landry and the team when 12-4 that year. Craig Morton was the quarterback of this Dallas team at the time. Morton completed seven passes out of 22 attempts for 101 yards and one touchdown. Morton may have done less than Brodie, but in the end, it did not matter.

Dallas got the best of the 49ers by winning the game 17-10. The Cowboys ended up losing in the Super Bowl against the Baltimore Colts, 16-14. This was the first of many playoff encounters between the two teams.

49ers vs. Cowboys Playoff History: 1971 NFC Championship

In the 1971 season, these two teams once again met each other in the NFL Playoffs. This was the second year in a row in this 49ers vs Cowboys playoff history. January 2nd, 1972, the San Francisco 49ers headed to Texas to face the Dallas Cowboys. While the two coaches were the same, there were some differences.

The San Francisco 49ers had a 10-6 record that season and still had John Brodie at quarterback. Brodie completed 14 passes out of 30 attempts for 184 yards and three interceptions, according to Pro Football Reference. San Francisco was only able to put up three points that game.

The Dallas Cowboys had a quarterback change that year with Roger Staubach taking the lead. Staubach completed nine out of 18 pass attempts for 103 yards. He did not throw for any touchdowns, but he also did not throw any interceptions. The Cowboys were successful by running the ball past the 49ers.

The Cowboys once again got the best of the 49ers, winning the game 14-3. Dallas would move on to beat the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI, 24-3.

49ers vs. Cowboys Playoff History: 1972 Divisional Round

December 23rd, 1972 was a close battle in the 49ers vs Cowboys playoff history. The two teams played in the 1972 divisional round at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. This was the third year in a row that these two teams faced off in the playoffs and was the highest-scoring out of the three.

Still coached by Dick Nolan, the 49ers went 8-6-1 that year. John Brodie was still the quarterback, and he completed 12 passes out of 22 attempts for 150, according to Pro Football Reference. Brodie did not throw any touchdowns but did throw two interceptions.