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Playoff game-winning field goals in Cowboys history


We all know that the Baltimore Colts kicked a game-winning field goal with a few seconds to win Super Bowl V against the Cowboys, and that Aaron Rodgers completed a miracle pass to Jared Cook to set up the Pack's game-winning kick in the 2016 divisional playoffs, but did you know that the Dallas Cowboys have never ever in their illustrious playoff history, covering 64 games, kicked a game-winning field goal - or even game-tying field goal - late in the 4th quarter in a postseason game. They've never even been in a position to kick a game-winning field goal!

There have been 3 games - THREE - in which the Dallas Cowboys were in a position to win a playoff game with a field goal: in 1979, the game after Roger Staubach's classic 35-34 win against the Redskins, the Cowboys were down to the Los Angeles Rams 21-19. Staubach got the ball back with about two minutes left, and could barely put a drive together. In fact, Roger Staubach's last NFL completion was to guard Herb Scott, leading to an incomplete pass on 4th and 20.

After "The Catch" and Ray Wersching's extra point put the 49ers ahead 28-27 in the 1981 NFC Championship game, the Cowboys started their last drive with :55 seconds left. Danny White threaded a 31-yard pass to Drew Pearson before #88 was horse collared by Dwight Hicks. Still, the Cowboys had 1st and 10 on the San Francisco 44, with All-Pro placekicker Rafael Septien ready for the offense to go 10-15 more yards so he could try the game-winning and history-altering field goal. Naturally, Danny White fumbled on the next play, and Joe Montana went on to four Super Bowls.

Then there was the 2006 NFC wildcard game, when Tony Romo flubbed the field goal snap. Of course, I've always believe that even if Martin Grammatica had successfully put the Cowboys ahead 23-21, the Seahawks would have easily move downfield with the time they had left to win the game with their own three-pointer.

It's hard to believe that in the equivalent of 4 regular seasons (when it was 16 games), there have only been two Cowboys playoff games decided by a last-second field goal. I have a strong feeling that tonight is going to be the third such time.

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