It is Day 97 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.
On Day 97 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff we revisit one of the wildest season openers in Cowboys history, the “Rocket comeback” game. Dallas opened the 1999 season on the road against Washington, fell into a 21-point fourth-quarter hole, and somehow escaped with a 41-35 overtime win on one of Troy Aikman’s most dramatic throws. The game looked over with Washington leading 35-14 after a dominant third quarter.
Sunday, September 12, 1999 — 1:00 p.m. ET
Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover, Maryland
Final Score: Dallas 41, Washington 35 — Overtime
The Cowboys actually started fast. Aikman hit tight end David LaFleur for two first-half touchdowns, from 15 and 14 yards, giving Dallas a 14-3 lead. Washington then flipped the game completely. Brad Johnson connected with Michael Westbrook for a 41-yard touchdown before halftime, Stephen Davis scored twice on the ground in the third quarter, and Albert Connell’s 50-yard touchdown catch gave Washington a 35-14 lead late in the third.
Then the fourth quarter became pure Dallas-Washington rivalry madness. Emmitt Smith started the rally with a 1-yard touchdown run. Dallas recovered an onside kick but did not score immediately, then Aikman came back and found Michael Irvin for a 37-yard touchdown to make it 35-28. With 1:46 left, Aikman went to Irvin again, this time from 12 yards out, and Richie Cunningham’s extra point hit the left upright before bouncing through to tie the game. Talk about a close call.
That set up the moment everyone remembers. In overtime Aikman used play-action, Raghib “Rocket” Ismail streaked down the middle from the slot and the Washington safeties were beaten. Aikman dropped the ball in, Rocket hauled it in, and 76 yards later the Cowboys had a stunning 41-35 win. It was Aikman’s fifth touchdown pass of the game and Ismail’s defining moment in a Cowboys uniform.
The box score was outrageous for this game. Aikman finished 28-of-49 for 362 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. Ismail caught eight passes for 149 yards and the walk-off score, while Irvin added five catches for 122 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Emmitt Smith also went over 100 yards, rushing 23 times for 109 yards and a touchdown.
This game earns its place on the countdown because it had everything. The Dallas-Washington hatred, a huge blown lead, Triplets heroics, and one final explosion from Rocket. It was not a Super Bowl-era Cowboys masterpiece. It was messy, chaotic, flawed, and unforgettable. That’s exactly the kind of game that makes this rivalry what it is.
Interesting Facts About the Game
Dallas matched the biggest comeback in franchise history at the time, rallying from 21 points down. The Cowboys had previously come back from 21 down to beat the Saints 30-27 in overtime in 1984.
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