NFL History: Ranking the 30 best wild card teams in NFL history

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Eli Manning #10 and Brandon Jacobs #34 of the New York Giants in action against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 6, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Eagles defeated the Giants 36-21. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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Ed Jones #72 of the Dallas Cowboys. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Ranking the 30 best wild card teams in NFL history: 16. 1980 Dallas Cowboys

Heading back in time again to the start of the 1980s Dallas Cowboys. The team was coming off one of the best decades in sports as they dominated the 1970s, but America’s Team was in for a rough decade compared to the previous one. Before it all went downhill, they had a couple of runs in them.

After four straight NFC East Titles, the Cowboys had to settle for the wild card in 1980. It didn’t stop them from being a threat in the playoffs.

Tony Dorsett was a monster in the Wild Card Round. He ran for 160 yards against an overmatched Los Angeles Rams team. Danny White threw for three touchdowns and survived his three interceptions as he allowed his running back to carry the day.

The next game was one for the ages and might be the best comeback by a Tom Landry-led team ever. The Cowboys entered the fourth quarter down 24-10 against the Atlanta Falcons. Drew Pearson scored back-to-back touchdowns late in the fourth quarter to take a massive deficit to a lead seemingly in the blink of an eye. The Cowboys pulled one out of you know where, and they were once again headed to the NFC Title Game.

The magic disappeared the next week as the Cowboys could only score seven points against the Eagles. Still, the run including one of the best comebacks in franchise history meant a lot to this dynasty. It was one of the last great moments before the Cowboys went into the Dark Ages.

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