Editing Super Bowl XXIX (section)

===Playoffs===
{{Further|1994–95 NFL playoffs}}

====Chargers====
In the AFC Divisional Playoffs, the Chargers managed to overcome a 21–6 halftime deficit to defeat the [[1994 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]], 22–21. In the first half, San Diego was limited to only two [[John Carney (American football)|John Carney]] field goals, while Miami quarterback [[Dan Marino]] threw for over 180 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, the Chargers dominated the Dolphins in the second half, limiting their offense to just 16 plays. In the third quarter, after the Chargers were stopped on fourth and goal at the 1-yard line, Chargers defensive lineman [[Reuben Davis (American football)|Reuben Davis]] tackled Dolphins running back [[Bernie Parmalee]] in the end zone for a safety. San Diego then took the ensuing free kick and marched 54 yards to score on Means's 24-yard touchdown run. Then with time running out, Humphries threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mark Seay, giving his team a one-point lead. The Dolphins, aided by a pass interference call, responded with a drive to the Chargers' 31-yard line, but kicker [[Pete Stoyanovich]]'s potential game-winning 48-yard field goal attempt sailed far to the right of the goal posts and sealed San Diego's stirring win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers - January 8th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501080sdg.htm |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

San Diego then faced the [[1994 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] in the [[AFC Championship Game]]. Once again, the Chargers fell behind early as the Steelers built up a 13–3 halftime lead, but Humphries fooled the Steelers secondary with a 43-yard [[play-action]] touchdown pass to a wide open tight end [[Alfred Pupunu]]. The Chargers then took a 17–13 lead when Martin beat the Steelers secondary (particularly a badly overmatched [[Tim McKyer]]) down the right sideline for a 43-yard touchdown reception. On their final drive, the Steelers advanced to the San Diego 3-yard line, but Chargers linebacker [[Dennis Gibson (American football)|Dennis Gibson]] sealed the victory on fourth down by deflecting quarterback [[Neil O'Donnell]]'s pass intended for running back [[Barry Foster (American football)|Barry Foster]] to turn the ball back over to San Diego. Just like the 49ers in the NFC title game, the Chargers advanced to the Super Bowl despite the fact that their opponent had outgained them in many key statistical categories such as total plays (80–47), total offensive yards (415–226), and time of possession (37:13–22:47).<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 15th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501150pit.htm |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

====49ers====
The 49ers first defeated the [[1994 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]], 44–15, in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. Although Chicago scored first with a field goal, San Francisco scored 37 unanswered points to put the game out of reach by the end of the third quarter. Floyd scored three rushing touchdowns, while Young rushed for a touchdown and threw for another.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers - January 7th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501070sfo.htm |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

San Francisco then defeated [[49ers–Cowboys rivalry|their nemesis]], the [[1994 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]], 38–28, in the [[NFC Championship Game]]. Expected to be a close game, the 49ers converted 3 Dallas turnovers into 21 points in the first quarter. On the third play of the game, cornerback [[Eric Davis (American football)|Eric Davis]] returned an interception from Cowboys quarterback [[Troy Aikman]] for a touchdown. Wide receiver [[Michael Irvin]] lost a fumble on Dallas' next drive, setting up Young's 29-yard touchdown pass to Watters. Then Cowboys returner [[Kevin Williams (wide receiver, born 1971)|Kevin Williams]] lost a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and it was recovered by kicker [[Doug Brien]] at Dallas' 35-yard line. Several plays later, Floyd scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give San Francisco a 21–0 lead less than 8 minutes into the game. With the score 24–14 in the closing minutes of the first half, Aikman threw 3 straight incompletions, and a short punt by the Cowboys set up Young's 28-yard touchdown completion to Rice with 8 seconds remaining in the first half. The Cowboys eventually cut their deficit to 38–28 with a touchdown run by [[Emmitt Smith]] and Aikman's 10-yard touchdown pass to Irvin in the final period, but they were unable to score again.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - January 15th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501150sfo.htm |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Although the Cowboys outgained the 49ers in total offensive yards (451–294), Aikman broke an NFC Championship Game record with 380 yards passing, and Irvin also broke an NFC Championship Game record with 192 receiving yards, Dallas was ultimately unable to overcome their first-quarter turnovers.