Sweet 16, Region 4: Cowboys top 64 plays of all-time

We are down to the last group of plays in the Sweet 16 round as the heavily favored ‘Hail Mary’ must fend off three new plays to earn its spot in the Final Four. If you haven’t had the chance to vote from the previous three groups, it’s not too late. Make sure to check them out:

Region 1: Alvin Harper over the middle, Tony Romo’s snappy recovery, Primetime to the house, and Ezekiel Elliott’s screen play against the Pittsburgh Steelers

Region 2: Tony Dorsett’s 99-yard run, Tony Romo’s spin on J.J. Watt, James Washington’s fumble recovery in Super Bowl XXVIII, and George Teague clocks Terrell Owens

Region 3: Larry Allen tackle, Emmitt Smith won’t go down, Jason Witten runs without a helmet, and Tony Dorsett’s catch & run against the Colts

Before we get to the final region, here is how each of the plays got here...

Hail Mary

In one of the most memorable moments in playoff history, the Cowboys put together a great come from behind victory against the Minnesota Vikings in the 1975 Divisional playoff game. The Cowboys covered a lot of ground in a hurry as Roger Staubach hit Drew Pearson, not once, but twice in two big passing plays that helped the Cowboys advance to the NFC Championship.

Jim Lee Howell’s coaching tree:

Although it should be higher, it makes me happy to see Hail Mary with 88%

It seems only fitting considering who caught the pass.

Beasley’s game winner

Cole Beasley had some pretty saucing plays as this undrafted free agent was no stranger to the highlight reel. His one-handed, behind the head catch certainly was eye-catching, but no catch was bigger than when he hauled down a pass at the back of the end zone in the season finale of 2018.

ProBowlFactory:

I gotta go with the Beas’ Knee. Two of them were prefaced by other plays made around them as well. This is far and away the best single play out of them all regardless of situation. I really wanted to vote for Captain Comeback though.

Staubach to Pearson... again

Considering how many big plays these two have had in their career, it shouldn’t be all that surprising that a second big postseason play from Staubach to Pearson has advanced to the Sweet 16 round. Unfortunately, only one will advance. This play against the Rams in the 1973 playoffs narrowly beat out Emmitt Smith’s record-breaking run by just six votes.

hookerhome:

I voted for Staubach to Pearson. I was there.

Bands playing at Texas Stadium typically sat in the “sunny” end zone, next to the tunnel. So, I had a perfect view as Pearson caught that pass and ran to our end to score the touchdown that clinched the game.

Henderson’s big return

It’s incredible to see a linebacker run with such incredible speed, which is why the Cowboys were wise to find was to use Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson. Twice in this tournament Henderson’s athleticism showed up as he had a pick six in the playoffs against the Rams as well as this kickoff return on a reverse play.

ChuckCowboy:

Hollywood all the way...a LB on a reverse with elite speed! And he could have been one of the greatest LBs of all-time if not for...