It is Day 23 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff. We are looking back at the 100 most iconic games in Dallas Cowboys history. The countdown will leads us right up to the opening game of 2026. Our look back doesn't depend on just one criteria for our rankings. We take into consideration things like how big the game was for the organization, how memorable the game was, games that had unusual events take place, games that are a part of NFL lore, Cowboys firsts, and games where the Cowboys just plain dominated. Variety is the spice of life and we have all different kind of Cowboys games to review. At the bottom, we'll link each day of the countdown so you can go back and check out any you missed.
Welcome for Day 23 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff, when we revisit one of the most controversial and painful playoff defeats in Cowboys history. Yes, it's the much famed "Dez Caught It" game.
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Sunday, January 11, 2015 — 1:05 p.m. ET
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Final Score: Green Bay Packers 26, Dallas Cowboys 21
The matchup carried considerable historical weight. Dallas and Green Bay had both finished the regular season 12-4, with the Cowboys winning all eight of their road games and the Packers going undefeated at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay struck first when Aaron Rodgers found Andrew Quarless for a four-yard touchdown. Dallas answered with a long, methodical drive that ended with Tony Romo throwing a one-yard scoring pass to fullback Tyler Clutts, tying the game at 7-7.
The Cowboys moved ahead after Jeremy Mincey forced and recovered a Rodgers fumble. Romo capitalized by hitting Terrance Williams on a short pass that Williams turned into a 38-yard touchdown, giving Dallas a 14-7 lead. The Cowboys had an opportunity to extend that advantage before halftime, but Dan Bailey's 50-yard field-goal attempt was blocked. Rodgers then quickly moved Green Bay into position for Mason Crosby's 40-yard field goal as time expired, reducing Dallas' lead to 14-10.
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One of the game's biggest swings arrived early in the third quarter. DeMarco Murray broke through the line with open space ahead of him, but Julius Peppers knocked the ball loose and Green Bay recovered. Crosby converted a 30-yard field goal from the turnover, bringing the Packers within one point. Dallas responded with an 80-yard drive capped by Murray's one-yard touchdown run, restoring a 21-13 advantage.
Green Bay's offense then found its rhythm. Rodgers connected with rookie Davante Adams for a 46-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, cutting the margin to 21-20. After the Packers forced a punt, Rodgers completed seven consecutive passes on an 80-yard drive and found Richard Rodgers for a 13-yard score. Green Bay failed on the two-point conversion but still moved ahead 26-21.
Dallas received one final opportunity with less than five minutes remaining. Facing fourth-and-two from the Green Bay 32-yard line, Romo gave Bryant a chance against single coverage. Bryant climbed over Sam Shields, secured the ball, took multiple steps and stretched toward the goal line before the ball moved as he contacted the ground. The play was initially ruled a catch at the Packers' one-yard line.
Mike McCarthy challenged the ruling, and referee Gene Steratore overturned it. Under the catch rule in place at the time, officials determined Bryant had not maintained control throughout the process of going to the ground. The reversal produced a turnover on downs with 4:06 remaining, and Dallas never regained possession as Green Bay converted two third downs and exhausted the clock.
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This game belongs on the countdown because it became much larger than the final score. The Cowboys had completed a 12-win regular season, captured the NFC East and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2009 season. They then went into Lambeau Field and stood inches from potentially taking the lead against one of the NFC's strongest teams. Instead, their season ended on a ruling that Cowboys fans continue to debate today.
Interesting Facts About the Game
NFL owners unanimously approved a simplified catch rule in 2018 that removed the old requirement to maintain possession throughout the process of going to the ground. The league specifically cited Bryant's overturned reception as the type of play that would be treated as a catch under the revised standard.
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