The 1993 Dallas Cowboys repeated as Super Bowl champions after winning the NFC East at 12-4 and cruising to three double-digit playoff victories. The season didn't start out smooth, as Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith held out the first 2 games as the Cowboys started the season 0-2. But when Smith returned, the Cowboys won 12 of 14 games and Smith went on to win MVP, gaining a NFL-leading 1,486 yards. Hall of Fame QB Troy Aikman (3,100 yards passing) and Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin (88 catches, 1,330 yards, 7 TD receptions) each had Pro Bowl seasons. On defense, defensive tackle Russell Maryland, linebacker Ken Norton, and safety Thomas Everett had Pro Bowl years. Coached by Jimmy Johnson, Dallas ranked second in the NFL in both scoring offense (23.5 points per game) and scoring defense (14.3 per game). After ending the regular season with five straight victories, the Cowboys beat Green Bay, 27-17, in the NFC Divisional and the 49ers, 38-21, in the NFC Championship. In Super Bowl XXVIII, they beat Buffalo, 30-13.