What is the Steelers’ record against the Cowboys? Dallas vs Pittsburgh rivalry history

To football fans across the U.S. and even abroad, the Steelers vs. Cowboys matchup is more than just a game—it’s an exhibit of NFL history and tradition. This Sunday night in Pittsburgh, two of the most successful and famous football franchises will clash again.

While the NFL nurtures old franchises and long rivalries, few matchups carry the same weight as Pittsburg Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys. Over the past 50 years, these two teams have defined success in the league, combining for 16 Super Bowl appearances and 11 championships. They’re the only teams to face off in three different Super Bowls, creating a rivalry built on epic moments, Hall of Fame performances, and championship showdowns.

First encounters after the NFL merger and Super Bowl X

Since the NFL merger in 1970, the Steelers have won more games than any other team, with the Cowboys closely behind in second place. Both teams have massive fan bases that span the globe. Their success and iconic players have kept them always at the forefront of NFL and POP culture.

The rivalry officially began in 1960 when the expansion Cowboys played their first-ever game against the Steelers. Pittsburgh quarterback Bobby Layne threw four touchdown passes to lead his team to victory, but the classic matchup took off in the 1970s.

It became a clash of contrasting identities: the glitzy, high-tech Cowboys versus the blue-collar, hard-nosed Steelers. When they met in Super Bowl X, it became the most-watched Super Bowl at the time, adorned by Lynn Swann’s iconic circus catch and Pittsburgh’s 21-17 victory over Dallas.

The Super Bowl rematches and the “Super” Derbies

Super Bowl XIII

The historic rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys reached new heights in Super Bowl XIII. This game, commonly known as the “Battle of Champions,” displayed the talents of 16 future Hall of Fame players. It culminated in a heart-stopping 35-31 victory for the Steelers, showing their reign as the dominant team of the decade.

Super Bowl XXX

The Steelers and Cowboys have a long-standing Super Bowl rivalry that began in the 1970s and 1980s and was reignited in 1996 for Super Bowl XXX. This game was played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, and it was (again) the most-watched Super Bowl at the time.

Both teams tried to tie the San Francisco 49ers for the record for most Super Bowl wins by a franchise (5). The Cowboys won, becoming the first team to win three Super Bowls in four years, while it was the Steelers’ first Super Bowl loss in team history. As of 2024, this still remains the last time the Cowboys appeared in a Super Bowl.

Steelers and Cowboys in recent history

Despite changes in players and venues over the years, the excitement of the rivalry has remained. In 2004, rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and veteran Jerome Bettis led the Steelers to a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback in Dallas. Four years later, the Steelers won another thrilling game at Heinz Field, overcoming a 10-point deficit to defeat the Cowboys.

Their 2016 game featured one of the most memorable moments: Roethlisberger’s fourth-quarter fake spike, followed by a Cowboys game-winning touchdown in the final moments. In 2020, Roethlisberger added yet another fourth-quarter comeback to his resume, leading the Steelers to victory in Dallas.

Over the decades, the rivalry has featured legendary coaches like Chuck Noll, Tom Landry, Bill Cowher, and Jimmy Johnson, as well as iconic players and unforgettable moments. Despite not facing each other frequently, Steelers vs. Cowboys remains a marquee event, and their clashes are always worth the wait.

This Sunday night, the stage is again set for a classic showdown. Steelers vs. Cowboys—get ready for another chapter in one of football’s most storied rivalries.