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Dallas Cowboys: What if we could go back in time?

By Stephen Francis

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo might play the what-if game more than anyone. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo might play the what-if game more than anyone. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 11, 2015 — NFC Divisional round vs. Green Bay — Lambeau Field

This one hurt. Despite identical records in the regular season, the Dallas Cowboys were the lower seed and had to take down the Detroit Lions the week before. This gave them an appointment with the Packers at historic Lambeau Field.

The Dallas Cowboys took the lead with 8:19 left in the first half and were in control most of the afternoon. But thanks to a severe case of “fumblitis” that plagued the offense, Green Bay remained within scoring distance. DeMarco Murray fumbled once and Tony Romo fumbled twice.

In the fourth quarter, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected with receiver Richard Rodgers for a 13-yard touchdown pass, giving the Packers a 26-21. They failed to convert the two-point conversion and gave the Cowboys the ball with plenty of time.

Anyone with even remotely decent eyesight and half of a brain could see that Bryant caught the ball.

Dallas went on a methodical drive down the field that consumed the clock well, getting to Green Bay’s 32 yard line. On fourth and two, Romo connected with wideout Dez Bryant for a 31-yard pass to the Packers’ one yard line. At least, that’s what anyone that knows anything about football thought.

Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy threw the challenge flag, and a convoluted explanation of a convoluted set of rules determined that the ball Dez caught wasn’t “caught.” Instead of a first down on the Packers’ one, Green Bay took control near midfield and ran out the clock.

Sure, Rodgers would have gotten the ball back with enough time to drive again to put Green Bay ahead again. But it’s more the principle of the moment that really sticks with Dallas fans.

Anyone with even remotely decent eyesight and half of a brain could see that Bryant caught the ball. Moving two steps and shifting the ball to another hand and reaching for a first down is about as much of a “football move” as you can get. A proper call there would have given the Cowboys a chance. And frankly, that’s all they needed. Just a chance to win the game on the field, instead of losing it in a replay booth.

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