If you could change the outcome

[buybuydandavis]

For the Romo era, the 2007 loss to the Giants was much worse than 2014. We had no pass rush in 2014, and that was destined to kill us.

In 2007, we had a SB team. We lost to the eventual SB champs, barely, with TO only effective for a half.

We easily could have won that game. Besides Crayton's drop, he also pulled up on what should have been the winning TD in the second to the last play.

If TO continued healing up, that was a SB team.

And probably we don't do the 2008 trade for Roy if we made it to the SB. The whole Romo era changes.

 

[J_Allen]

There's no competition, and you didn't even pick it.

94 season - loss to SF in NFC Championship. Prevented a 4peat and unquestioned GOAT.

That one hurt and it was the first Cowboys game I ever watched. I knew next to nothing about either team but I had a bad feeling before it started.

 

[Bobhaze]

There's no competition, and you didn't even pick it.

94 season - loss to SF in NFC Championship. Prevented a 4peat and unquestioned GOAT.

Not a bad choice- the ‘94 NFC Championship loss was tough for sure. But to say there’s no competition? I know it’s subjectve, but IMO, the ‘94 loss is 5th toughest.

But I guess most people’s answer to this is based on what they saw and lived through. I’ve been fortunate enough to see every playoff game the Cowboys have ever played. Unfortunately not in person but I have memories from all, both good and bad.

 

[Aviano90]

Not a bad choice- the ‘94 NFC Championship loss was tough for sure. But to say there’s no competition? I know it’s subjectve, but IMO, the ‘94 loss is 5th toughest.

But I guess most people’s answer to this is based on what they saw and lived through. I’ve been fortunate enough to see every playoff game the Cowboys have ever played. Unfortunately not in person but I have memories from all, both good and bad.

The 94 loss was easier to swallow for me following 2 SB titles. If we would have lost the 92 NFC Championship game against SF, that would have been the game I would have overturned, but we won that one.

 

[Bobhaze]

The 94 loss was easier to swallow for me following 2 SB titles. If we would have lost the 92 NFC Championship game against SF, that would have been the game I would have overturned, but we won that one.

It’s amazing how just a few plays can change the out come of a game or even the direction of a franchise. That ‘92 NFC Championship game in SF had several big plays that dictated the outcome of that game. Like the fumble recovery by Ken Norton, the TD to Jerry Rice in the first minute called back by penalty, the slant to Alvin Harper in the 4th when the niners had the momentum, and others. Those plays were the difference not only in the game, but maybe for that team winning 3 of 4 SBs.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

The Cowboys have been in some great playoff games in their storied history. Especially in the 60s, 70s and 90s. Some we won, some we didn’t.

One question- if you could change the outcome of ONE GAME in Cowboys history, which one would it be and why?

For me, I have three candidates, then I’ll choose one:
1. Dec, 1967-The Ice Bowl vs GB. We lost 21-17 My first “sports cry”. If we had won that, we would have had a SB win in 60s.
2. Jan, 1979- SB XIII- vs Steelers. Lost 35-31. If we had won that we would have been THE team of the 70s and first team to win 3 SBs. Still hurts.
3. Jan, 1982- NFC Championship game vs. Niners- lost 28-27 in infamous “The Catch” game. If we win that game, we would have won against Cincy in SB, and had a SB win in 70s, 80s and 90s.

My pick....the ‘82 loss to Niners. Still hurts. What woulda, coulda, shoulda!

Your pick and why?

The 1994 NFC Championship game. Mainly because that is the most important game we lost that I watched at the time, and geez I took that loss hard back then, when the expectation every year were so high.

 

[glimmerman]

For the Romo era, the 2007 loss to the Giants was much worse than 2014. We had no pass rush in 2014, and that was destined to kill us.

In 2007, we had a SB team. We lost to the eventual SB champs, barely, with TO only effective for a half.

We easily could have won that game. Besides Crayton's drop, he also pulled up on what should have been the winning TD in the second to the last play.

If TO continued healing up, that was a SB team.

And probably we don't do the 2008 trade for Roy if we made it to the SB. The whole Romo era changes.

Would love to seen what happen if murray didn’t fumble or if they would have called the Dez noncatch a catch.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

The 94 loss was easier to swallow for me following 2 SB titles. If we would have lost the 92 NFC Championship game against SF, that would have been the game I would have overturned, but we won that one.

Was harder for me because winning the super bowl was the expectation from the cowboys. Geez I was so upset I didn't even watch the super bowl that year, and then after the 9ers won it, had to see Deion on Saturday night live with shots of how badly they beat the chargers throughout the show.

 

[Alexander]

Easily #2 because the Cowboys were the best team in the league that year.

Not sure about that. I distinctly remember there were people ready to shovel dirt on that team after consecutive losses to Miami and Minnesota. Then they went on a tear to close out the season. The Steelers were consistently good with only two losses all year and beat a quality Oilers team to make the Super Bowl.

If anything, they overachieved and made a valiant comeback after a difficult game in that Super Bowl. There were so many instances where they self inflicted their own pain.

 

[Alexander]

Would love to seen what happen if murray didn’t fumble or if they would have called the Dez noncatch a catch.

They win that game they still had to go face the Seahawks again on their home field and win a second time. Not easy.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

How so? If a team couldn't make it out of the divisional round, they quite simply were not good enough.

2007 - lost to the eventual champions. If they won, they would have hosted GB, not a certain win.
2014 - lost to GB who eventually lost to Seattle. I know people point to Dallas' earlier win in Seattle, but winning twice against that team on their turf two times in the season would have been difficult.
2016 - another loss to GB and may have not been able to compete with the Falcons score for score. Half the people around here were doubting it even at the time.

All in all, the losses in the conference championship games are more coulda, shoulda, woulda. At least in those cases they were one game away, not losing in the divisional, twice of which to teams who didn't make the Super Bowl.

2007 is interesting, in that I think the Giants beat 3 superior teams. Geez I remember being on this board at the time, and someone jinxing us with the false fact that nobody ever beat a team three times during one season (including playoffs) With that said, while I think we were better than the Giants that year, I don't think we would've won against the Patriots.
2014 I feel was our best bet to win the superbowl, because that team looked closer to what we had in the 90s than any other team minus of course the defense. I think our Powerfootball would've worked better against the pats than what Seattle did.
2016 I think the Falcons would've killed us.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

For me, 1994 NFC championship game no doubt. We win that, we win 4 in a row. Something no team has came close to doing and never will. We would have beat San Diego by the same amount as the Niners did.

1994 for sure. Just for the Merton Hanks chicken head endzone dance alone. I feel so ashamed he is from Dallas.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

For the Romo era, the 2007 loss to the Giants was much worse than 2014. We had no pass rush in 2014, and that was destined to kill us.

In 2007, we had a SB team. We lost to the eventual SB champs, barely, with TO only effective for a half.

We easily could have won that game. Besides Crayton's drop, he also pulled up on what should have been the winning TD in the second to the last play.

If TO continued healing up, that was a SB team.

And probably we don't do the 2008 trade for Roy if we made it to the SB. The whole Romo era changes.

I disagree. I think 2014 we would've had a better chance at winning against the pats, in that at the time teams weren't used to a Power Football team anymore, and not designed to defend those types of teams. Also if the Pats would've won in 2007, that would've been the strongest superbowl winning team ever. At least in 2007 I didn't think we'd have a chance against the Pats, but in 2014 I felt we could beat them.

 

[tyke1doe]

The "Catch". I still can't watch that game to this day.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

They win that game they still had to go face the Seahawks again on their home field and win a second time. Not easy.

It would have been a dogfight.
The fact that they already went up there and punched that gorilla in the mouth once
would make a 2014 title run seem more hopeful than 2007 IMO.
And those 2014 Pats weren't comparable to that 2007 NE team. JMO.

 

[buybuydandavis]

But I guess most people’s answer to this is based on what they saw and lived through

Nope. Consequences.
"Prevented a 4peat and unquestioned GOAT."

 

[buybuydandavis]

Would love to seen what happen if murray didn’t fumble or if they would have called the Dez noncatch a catch.

At the Dez UnCatch, I thought we were doomed once the ball was in the air, catch or not. If we gave GB the ball back with that much time, Rodgers would have walked over us to take the lead.

At least it would have been a chance. And our chances don't end on a Tony incompletion.

 

[Alexander]

At the Dez UnCatch, I thought we were doomed once the ball was in the air, catch or not. If we gave GB the ball back with that much time, Rodgers would have walked over us to take the lead.

At least it would have been a chance. And our chances don't end on a Tony incompletion.

Better man than me. My heart stopped when Romo threw it and you could see where Bryant was. It was a great pass.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I disagree. I think 2014 we would've had a better chance at winning against the pats, in that at the time teams weren't used to a Power Football team anymore, and not designed to defend those types of teams. Also if the Pats would've won in 2007, that would've been the strongest superbowl winning team ever. At least in 2007 I didn't think we'd have a chance against the Pats, but in 2014 I felt we could beat them.

I do like the offense better in 2014, but the defense was a joke compared to 2007.

And our dline was in pathetic shape. It was pretty crappy all season, and McClain went out in the final game of the regular season. Brady would have laughed at them.

Spencer, Brent, Bishop not another snap ever
Hayden, Selvie, Mincey not another snap after 2015

Go look at the snap counts. Lawrence and Crawford combined to make a 100% player on the dline. All other snaps taken by those guys waiting to exit the league.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201501110gnb.htm#all_vis_snap_counts

NE was better in 2007. More likely we lose, but more glory if we win.

I am glad the Giants prevented an undefeated season for NE, though.

But I still think if we're not one and done in 2007, we don't take Roy the following year, and that changes everything.

 

[sdfidaho]

2. By a landslide, for me.


Edit: Oh, and as to the why, because it was a BS call on Barnes and a win in that game changes history as to what we are!!!!

The name Fred Swearingen still brings feelings of anger in this household