Cornerback Larry Brown's two interceptions led to 14 second-half points and helped lift the Cowboys to their third Super Bowl victory in the four seasons and their record-tying fifth title overall. Brown's interceptions foiled the comeback efforts of the Steelers and earned him the Pete Rozelle Trophy as the game's most valuable player. Dallas scored on each of its first three possessions, taking a 13-0 lead.

Neil O'Donnell's 6-yard touchdown pass to Yancey Thigpen 13 seconds before halftime pulled the Steelers within six points, and they had the ball near midfield midway through the third quarter. But O'Donnell's third-down pass was intercepted by Brown at the Cowboys' 38, and his 44-yard return was carried to the Steelers' 18, which would result in an Emmitt Smith touchdown that put Dallas ahead again by 13 points. The Steelers rallied behind Norm Johnson's 46-yard field goal, a successful surprise onside kick, and Bam Morris' 1-yard run with 6:36 to play in the game. And when they forced a punt and took possession at their 32 trailing 20-17 with 4:15 remaining, it appeared they might have a chance to break the NFC's domination in the Super Bowl. But on second down, Brown struck again, intercepting O'Donnell's pass at the 39 and returning it 33 yards to the 6. Two plays later, Smith scored the clinching touchdown with 3:43 to go. The Steelers limited the Cowboys' powerful running game to only 56 yards and enjoyed a whopping 201-61 advantage in total yards in the second half, but could not overcome the three interceptions (another came on the game's final play).