How many times have the Dallas Cowboys played the Super Bowl? 

The Cowboys' latter appearances are dominated by triumphs in the 1990s

Super Bowl XIII: Pittsburgh 35, Dallas 31

Dallas was more than prepared for a rematch with the mighty Steelers, but controversial intervention from the officials...once again, sound familiar?...help claw away at their chances for an upset. A questionable pass interference call in the fourth quarter, with the Cowboys trailing 21-17, placed the Pittsburgh offense (already anchored by a recording-breaking passing yardage performance from Terry Bradshaw) at the cusp of the Dallas red zone. Two plays later, a call that actually went in the Cowboys' favor...a delay of game against the Steelers...actually doomed them, as it negated a Hollywood Henderson sack that would've forced the Steelers into a field goal. A Franco Harris touchdown run surfaced instead, leading to a stretch of 14 unanswered Pittsburgh points that sealed their third Super Bowl of the 70s. Though Dallas rallied late, their ultimate missed opportunity came in the late stages of the second quarter: down 21-14, tight end Jackie Smith dropped a would-be tying touchdown on third-and-goal, forcing the Cowboys to settle for a field goal...effectively creating the lasting four-point deficit on the final scoreboard. Though Smith created a Hall-of-Fame career with the St. Louis Cardinals, it was the drop in Dallas that would ultimately come to define his NFL endeavors.

Super Bowl XXVII: Dallas 52, Buffalo 17

The 27th Super Bowl is often defined by Leon Lett's infamous blunder, as his showboating antics while running back a Frank Reich fumble created by a Jim Jeffcoat sack cost the Cowboys a touchdown when Bills receiver Don Bebee swatted the exposed ball away from the defender. All that accomplished, however, was keeping Dallas away from a Super Bowl record for points, as they capped off their first Super Sunday appearance in 14 years in style. Defense once again ruled the day for the resurgent Cowboys, who once again created the winning margin off turnovers. Troy Aikman, the face of Dallas' new rebuild under head coach Jimmy Johnson, led the way with 301 total yards and four passing scores. With the win, Johnson became the first head coach to earn both a Super Bowl and collegiate national championship.

Super Bowl XXVIII: Dallas 30, Buffalo 13

Together with the Cowboys, the Buffalo Bills created the first-ever Super Bowl rematch in consecutive season. For two quarters, it looked like the Bills would finally get the 1990s Super Bowl monkey off their backs with a 13-6 lead at halftime. But, stop us if you've heard this one before, the Dallas defense ensured yet another championship. In the first minute of the third quarter, Lett found unsung redemption by forcing a Thurman Thomas fumble that James Washington took back 46 yards for a tying score, commencing a run of 24 unanswered Dallas points. It was legendary rusher Emmitt Smith that ruled the day, giving the Cowboys a permanent lead on a 64-yard scoring drive in which he accumulated all but three yards. Smith wound up earning MVP honors for his efforts, which included 158 total yards and one more fourth quarter score that sealed Dallas' deal.

Super Bowl XXX: Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17

Dallas' most recent Lombardi Trophy hoist may be one of the most tumultuous championship treks in history: the season was labeled with rumored in-fighting between the team's legendary offensive leaders, namely Aikman, and head coach Barry Switzer, another college legend who succeeded the ousted Johnson, who left after the latter Buffalo win. Nonetheless, Johnson's team managed to rally under Switzer to cement their status as a 1990s dynasty, getting long-awaited revenge on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the finale at Sun Devil Stadium. Thrust into an underdog's role, the Steelers put up a respectable effort and even had a chance to win it in the final stages. But an errant pass from quarterback Neil O'Donnell helped Larry Brown make millions: the cornerback, chosen in the 12th of round of 1991's draft, earned two interceptions, including one on the Steelers' final meaningful drive of the game to help the Cowboys earn their then-record-tying Super Bowl victory. Shortly after, Brown signed a deal with Oakland that afforded him $12.5 million over five years with $3.5 million guaranteed.