Sports Illustrated January 25, 1993 Emmitt Smith VF/NM

Sports Illustrated January 25, 1993 issue served as the grand preview for Super Bowl XXVII, capturing the hype surrounding the matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cover: "Super Showdown"

The cover features Emmitt Smith, the star running back for the Dallas Cowboys, in a classic power-running pose. The headline, "Super Showdown," set the stage for the clash of two very different franchises:

• The Cowboys' Ascent: This was the official national arrival of the "Triplets"—Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin. The issue detailed how head coach Jimmy Johnson had rebuilt the team from a 1–15 basement-dweller to a juggernaut in just four years.
• The Bills' Persistence: On the other side, the magazine examined the Buffalo Bills, who were entering their third consecutive Super Bowl. The narrative focused on whether Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas could finally shake off their previous two losses to win "the big one."

Key Content & Features

• Super Bowl Preview: Detailed scouting reports on the Dallas offense vs. the Buffalo defense. Interestingly, the magazine's experts were largely leaning toward the Cowboys, predicting that their speed and offensive line would be too much for the Bills to handle.
• NFL Coaching Carousel: Analysis of the league's coaching changes during the off-week, as teams like the New York Giants and New England Patriots were searching for new leaders.
• College Basketball: Extensive coverage of the ACC and Big East races. At the time, teams like Duke and Kentucky were dominant, but the issue also highlighted the rise of Chris Webber and the "Fab Five" at Michigan, who were in the middle of their sophomore campaign.
• NHL Update: Follow-up reporting on Mario Lemieux’s health following his Hodgkin’s diagnosis (first reported the week prior). It touched on the outpouring of support from the hockey community and the Penguins' resilience in his absence.

Historical Context: Pasadena 1993

This issue hit newsstands just days before Super Bowl XXVII was played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

1. The Result: Only a week after this issue, the Cowboys would go on to crush the Bills 52–17, validating the "Super Showdown" hype but also beginning the Bills' tragic run of four straight Super Bowl losses.
2. Michael Jackson: This was also the week leading up to Michael Jackson's famous halftime show performance, which changed Super Bowl halftime shows forever.