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| Date | January 11, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Stadium | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin | ||||||||||||||||||
| Referee | Gene Steratore | ||||||||||||||||||
| Attendance | 79,704 | ||||||||||||||||||
| TV in the United States | |||||||||||||||||||
| Network | Fox | ||||||||||||||||||
| Announcers | Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Chris Myers | ||||||||||||||||||
"Dez Caught It" or the "No-Catch Game" was an NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers played at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The name of the game itself refers to a play in which Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant attempted to catch a pass from quarterback Tony Romo in the closing minutes of the game. The pass was initially ruled a catch before the call was controversially overturned on further review.
In the years since, the NFL has changed their catch rules that would have given Bryant a completed catch.
Background
Both teams entered the playoffs at identical 12–4 records at the end of the NFL season.
The Cowboys entered on a 6 seed after clinching the NFC East, making them the 10th non-repeat division champs since the 2004 season. Dallas won 5 out of their last 6 games after their bye week, which clinched the division and advanced them to the NFC Wild Card game, where they defeated the Detroit Lions to advance to the NFC Divisional Playoff round. Although, the game was not without controversy because of a pass interference flag that was called on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens when he seemingly interfered with Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew. The back judge Lee Dyer threw his flag to signify defense pass interference, and head referee Pete Morelli initially announced the penalty, however, after conferring with head linesman Jerry Bergman, it was determined that Hitchens legally defended Pettigrew on the route, the flag was therefore picked up, and the penalty waived off, causing the controversy. After the game, NFL Vice President of Officiating, Dean Blandino stated that the no-call on pass interference was debatable, but defensive holding definitely should have been called on the play. The Cowboys won that game, 24–20.
The Packers entered the playoffs on a 2 seed after clinching the NFC North division for the fourth year in a row, earning a first round bye. Green Bay, like Dallas, only lost one game after their own bye week, winning 7 out of 8. With the playoff berth, the Packers made the playoffs for the sixth straight season, tying the record set between 1993 and 1998.
This game would be the two teams' first meeting in the playoffs in 19 years, since the 1995 NFC Championship game, and the first playoff game in the rivalry played at Lambeau Field 47 years, with the last being the legendary Ice Bowl game.
Game Summary
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers – Game summary| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboys | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Packers | 7 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 26 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Date: January 11
- Game time: 1:05 p.m. EST/12:05 p.m. CST/10:05 a.m. PST
- Game weather: 24 °F (−4 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 79,704
- Referee: Gene Steratore
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color commentator), Erin Andrews, and Chris Myers (sideline reporters)
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
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First half
Both teams only managed to score a touchdown in the first quarter. Green Bay scored first after a 10 play, 60 yard drive, with a 4-yard pass from Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to tight end Andrew Quarless. With 1:05 to go in the quarter, the Cowboys drove 62 yards in 12 plays, capped off by a 1-yard scoring pass from Tony Romo to fullback Tyler Clutts.
In the second quarter, both offenses continued to struggle. Wide receiver Terrance Williams took a Romo pass 38 yards into the endzone to give Dallas a 14–7 lead. A few drives later, the Cowboys were set up at the Packers 32-yard line for a Dan Bailey field goal attempt of 50 yards. However, the field goal was partially blocked by Datone Jones, resulting in the kick missing wide to the right. Taking over on their own 40, the Packers drove 38-yards to the Dallas 22-yard line, scoring on a 40-yard Mason Crosby field goal before the half ended, putting the score at 14–10 for the Cowboys.
Second half
Getting the ball back to start the second half, the Packers continued on offense, but quickly had to punt after 5 plays. Dallas took over, but running back DeMarco Murray fumbled at the Cowboys' 41-yard line on a tackle by Julius Peppers, which was recovered by Datone Jones at the Dallas 44. Later in the drive, Crosby hit a 30-yard field goal to put the score at 14–13. With 7:46 left in the quarter, Dallas scored on a 6 play, 80 yard drive, capped off by a 1-yard run by Murray. Green Bay answered back with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams in 7 plays to put the score at 21–20 to end the 3rd quarter.
Tony Romo took two consecutive sacks from Nick Perry to end the 3rd and start the 4th quarters, which resulted in the Cowboys punting back to the Packers a few plays later. From their own 20, Rogers took his offense on an 8 play, 80 yard drive, connecting on a 13-yard pass to Richard Rodgers II putting the score at 26–21. Green Bay attempted a two-point conversion, which failed.
With the Cowboys taking over from their own 18, their drive started with a 30-yard run by Murray, all the way to the Dallas 48. A Joseph Randle run, an 10-yard pass to Bryant, and a 2-yard Murray run put Dallas at the Green Bay 38-yard line. After Romo was sacked by Mike Neal, he connected with Cole Beasley for a 9-yard completion.
References
- "Dez Caught It: Remembering the Greatest Non-Catch in NFL History". FanBuzz - Sports News - NFL | NCAA | NBA | WWE. 2020-01-09. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
- "Cowboys-Packers: 6 things to know about the Dez Bryant No-Catch Game". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
- "Three years later, the NFL now says Cowboys' Dez Bryant did, in fact, catch it". RSN. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
- Burke, Chris. "The NFL VP of officials has admitted that refs botched Lions-Cowboys call". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
- Kelly, Danny (2015-01-05). "About that wild ending to the Cowboys-Lions game". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
- "Refs czar: Holding call missed vs. Dallas LB". ESPN.com. 2015-01-05. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
- Dec 28, foxsports; ET, 2014 at 7:43p (2014-12-28). "Packers win NFC North, clinch No. 2 seed and first-round bye". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - "Packers shake Cowboys, to play for NFC title". ESPN.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links