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Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers: ‘Dez Caught It’ Revisited

By Randy Gurzi

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) in the third quarter in the second half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) in the third quarter in the second half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Game Summary

The Dallas Cowboys were the road warriors of the NFL during the 2014 season. They went 8-0 on the road and were in no way intimidated by going to Green Bay in the frigid weather. The Green Bay Packers were just as good at home as Dallas was on the road, going 8-0 in their own stadium.

Dallas had made a habit of getting teams out of rhythm all season long by sustaining clock-killing drives. They featured the NFL’s leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, and handed the Pack a heavy dose of the bruising back. Murray rushed 25 times for 123 yards and had a touchdown as well. The formula was working as Dallas had raced out to a 14-10 lead with their plan of keeping Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines. Then everything changed in the Packers favor.

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While most credit the controversial no-catch for the loss, things unraveled for Dallas well before that play. With the one-score lead after halftime the Dallas defense stopped Green Bay on their first possession of the third quarter. They were then handed amazing field position thanks to a 16-yard pass interference penalty, which was followed up with an offsides penalty against Green Bay.

The following play was a handoff to Murray, who had a nice lane in front of him which could have allowed Dallas to capitalize on the lead. Instead, Murray was stripped of the ball by outside linebacker Julius Peppers, the only guy he needed to beat. The ball was turned over and Green Bay pulled within one point on a field goal.

Dallas then scored to go up, 21-13, but things may have been wildly different had Murray been able to hold onto the ball. The Boys opened the door slightly for A-Rod and company and their next touchdown stretched the lead to just eight, rather than a much more daunting 11.

From there the defense finally broke, which is bound to happen when Rodgers is still hanging in games. The Cowboys fell behind, 26-21, and were now looking for a miracle when they saw their hopes dashed on the no-catch ruling regarding Bryant. The game ended at the same score as Green Bay simply milked the clock.

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