How the Cowboys turned a slow start into a championship season
Jerry Jones pointed to the 1993 Cowboys after Dallas opened 2026 with a 28-20 loss to the Giants. That team lost its first 2 games while star running back Emmitt Smith was absent during a contract dispute. Smith returned, and Dallas finished 12-4 before winning Super Bowl XXVIII. r
The current Cowboys have already taken a different path: they beat Washington 37-20 in Week 2 to reach 1-1. Jones’s comparison offers a reminder that an opening loss need not decide a season, while the next games will show whether Dallas can build on its response.
Dallas opened 2026 with a loss
The Cowboys began the 2026 regular season with a 28-20 loss to the Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 13. New York gained 394 total yards, while Dallas struggled with defensive communication and several offensive mistakes.
Jerry Jones described himself as disappointed with the opener. He said the team needed to address the problems shown against New York rather than abandon its offseason plan.
Jones cited his Super Bowl experience
During a September 15 radio appearance, Jones said he had lost an opening game and won the Super Bowl. His reference was to 1993, when Dallas began 0-2 before finishing the regular season 12-4 and winning Super Bowl XXVIII.
Jones also mentioned that both teams from the previous season’s Super Bowl had lost their opening games. Seattle and New England each recovered during the 2025 season.
The 1993 Cowboys started 0-2
The 1993 Cowboys lost their first two games, beginning with a 35-16 defeat against Washington on September 6. They then lost 13-10 to Buffalo in their home opener one week later.
Dallas therefore stood at 0-2 before its third game. The team had entered the season as defending Super Bowl champions after defeating Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII.
Emmitt Smith missed the first two games
Emmitt Smith was absent for Dallas’ first two games during a contract dispute with owner Jerry Jones. Smith had been the NFL rushing champion in 1992 and was an important part of the Cowboys’ offense.
The Cowboys signed Smith before their third game against Phoenix. Dallas won that game 17-10, and Smith returned to the lineup after missing the opening two contests.
The first loss came in Washington
Dallas opened the 1993 season with a 35-16 loss at Washington. Troy Aikman completed 17 of 29 passes for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns, while the Cowboys rushed for 91 yards.
The loss came during Emmitt Smith’s contract dispute, before he returned to the lineup. Dallas committed 4 turnovers, all on lost fumbles, as Washington scored 35 points.
Buffalo handed Dallas its second loss
The Cowboys returned home in Week 2 and faced Buffalo, their opponent from the previous Super Bowl. Dallas lost 13-10, finishing the game with 393 total yards but failing to produce enough points to win.
Smith was still absent for the matchup. His contract dispute remained unresolved, leaving Dallas 0-2 before the running back returned for the next game.
Smith returned against Phoenix
Smith returned for Dallas’ third game of 1993 against the Phoenix Cardinals. The Cowboys won 17-10, beginning a stretch in which they won seven straight games after starting the season 0-2.
The victory marked the first game Smith played that season. Dallas later finished the regular season 12-4, earning the NFC East title and a playoff berth.
Interesting fact: Jones was also an oil-and-gas businessman before buying the Cowboys.
Dallas finished 1993 at 12-4
After its 0-2 beginning, Dallas finished the 1993 regular season with a 12-4 record. The Cowboys scored 376 points and allowed 229, according to the season record compiled by Pro Football Reference.
Dallas won the NFC East and entered the playoffs as the conference’s top seed. The team then defeated Green Bay and San Francisco before returning to the Super Bowl.
Interesting fact: Jones remains the Cowboys’ owner, president and general manager.
The Cowboys won three playoff games
Dallas opened the 1993 playoffs by defeating the Green Bay Packers 27-17 in the divisional round. The Cowboys then beat the San Francisco 49ers 38-21 in the NFC Championship Game.
Those victories sent Dallas to Super Bowl XXVIII. The Cowboys had already defeated Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII one year earlier, making the 1993 postseason a second consecutive opportunity for a championship.
Dallas defeated Buffalo again
Super Bowl XXVIII matched Dallas against Buffalo for the second straight season. The Cowboys won 30-13 on January 30, 1994, securing another championship under head coach Jimmy Johnson.
Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns in the game. He also caught four passes for 26 yards, helping Dallas complete its season after the 0-2 start.
The 2026 Cowboys responded in Week 2
The 2026 Cowboys did not repeat the 1993 start because they won their second game after losing the opener. Dallas defeated Washington 37-20 at AT&T Stadium on September 20, moving to 1-1 in the regular season.
Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes in the victory. The result came one week after the Giants exposed communication problems and other mistakes in Dallas’ opener.
The internet is also talking about Tom Brady breaking FCC rules during live NFL broadcast.
Jones’ comparison has a specific context
Jones’ 1993 reference concerns a Cowboys team that started 0-2, welcomed Emmitt Smith back for its third game, finished 12-4 and won Super Bowl XXVIII. His comments followed Dallas’ 28-20 loss to the Giants in the 2026 opener.
The Cowboys are now 1-1 after beating Washington. Their next scheduled game is against Baltimore in Rio de Janeiro on September 27, giving the comparison a current-season context.
In other news, Travis Kelce gives Caitlin Clark’s Nike shoes his seal of approval.
What do you think about Jones’ comparison? Like this post and share your thoughts in the comments!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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