It is Day 27 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.
Let’s get ready for Day 27 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff, when we revisit the playoff victory that proved the 2014 Cowboys were more than just a feel-good regular-season story. After ending a five-year playoff drought, Dallas found itself trailing at home in the second half. Instead of folding, the Cowboys produced a resilient comeback over the Lions and advance to the Divisional Round.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 24, Detroit Lions 20
Detroit came into the game with one of the NFL’s best defenses and controlled much of the first half. Matthew Stafford threw an early touchdown pass to Golden Tate followed by a Reggie Bush rushing touchdown, while the Lions’ pass rush constantly pressured Tony Romo. Dallas managed a Terrance Williams touchdown before halftime and went into the break trailing 17-7.
The third quarter belonged to Detroit. Matt Prater’s field goals extended the Lions’ lead to 20-7, leaving Dallas searching for answers. The Cowboys’ offense struggled to find rhythm, and the game appeared to be slipping away as the Lions continued to win the battle at the line of scrimmage.
Everything changed midway through the fourth quarter. Facing third-and-long, Stafford looked to convert another key first down, but a timely interception by Kyle Wilber gave Dallas life. The ensuing drive led to a rare Dan Bailey missed field goal. The Cowboys offense was soon back out and a few plays later, DeMarco Murray powered into the end zone from one yard out to get Dallas within a touchdown of Detroit.
The following drive saw Romo doing all he could in the pocket to avoid pressure, but the Lions pass rush kept finding ways to the Cowboys quarterback, bringing him down for sack after sack. Bailey then redeemed himself with a 51-yard field goal and the game was now 20-17.
Moments later came one of the most debated plays in NFL playoff history when a pass interference flag against the Cowboys was picked up on third down, forcing Detroit to punt instead of extending its drive.
Dallas then took full advantage. Romo led a composed touchdown drive and found Terrance Williams for an eight-yard score to take the lead for the first time of the game just before the two-minute warning. Romo lying face down on the turf celebrated, arms extended and slapping the ground.
The defense then had to close out the game. Anthony Spencer came out the gate quick forcing a fumble and DeMarcus Lawrence was there to scoop up the ball, only for him to cough the ball up and the Lions recovered. The game was madness at this point but it didn’t end there. Nine plays later Lawrence came screaming into the backfield and sacked Stafford forcing him to fumble the ball and Lawrence recovered the loose ball redeeming his earlier mistake and ending the game.
This game belongs on the countdown because it validated the Cowboys’ outstanding 2014 season. Dallas had already won 12 games and the NFC East, but questions remained about whether it could finally win in January. By overcoming a 14-point deficit against one of the NFL’s best defensive teams, the Cowboys answered those questions and reignited belief that the franchise could once again compete for championships.
Interesting Facts About the Game
The victory sent Dallas to Green Bay for the Divisional Round, where the Cowboys narrowly lost in the game remembered for Dez Bryant’s overturned catch.
Countdown to kickoff
100, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, 86, 85, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80, 79, 78, 77, 76, 75, 74, 73, 72, 71, 70, 69, 68, 67, 66, 65, 64, 63, 62, 61, 60, 59, 58, 57,56, 55, 54, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28
