NBC on Yahoo SportsAaron Rodgers and Packers rally past Cowboys to reach NFC title game
The biggest officiating decision in the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs went the Cowboys way, but they didn’t have the same luck against the Packers on Sunday.
After a review late in the fourth quarter, referee Gene Steratore ruled that Cowboys wide receiverDez Bryant didn’t catch a fourth down pass fromTony Romo despite the play initially having been ruled an athletic grab by Bryant on the 1-yard-line. Steratore ruled that Bryant did not establish possession before losing the ball when he hit the ground, a call that will be as hotly debated as last week’s reversed pass interference call against Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens.
The Cowboys Defense had one last chance to get the ball back with a chance to win, but a third down pass deflected by defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford found its way into Randall Cobb’s hands for a first down that allowed the Packers to run out the clock on a 26-21 victory that sends them to Seattle for the NFC Championship Game.
Aaron Rodgers was 24-of-35 for 317 yards and three touchdowns while playing with a left calf injury that left him less mobile than usual in the pocket. Rodgers didn’t look good in the first half, but his work during the comeback from 21-13 down in the third quarter was sparkling. Rodgers completed every pass he threw in the fourth quarter and the final 10 he threw overall while delivering a reminder of why he’s the favorite to win the MVP award this season.
The prospect of a similarly limited Rodgers against the Seahawks Defense doesn’t feel like a great one for the Packers, so his status at practice will be closely watched again as the week unfolds because Eddie Lacy will have a hard time chipping in 101 yards on 19 carries again next weekend.
It’s a bitter way for things to end for the Cowboys, who rode a similar game plan to the one they used all season to take a lead into the fourth quarter at Lambeau. Tony Romo was efficient and DeMarco Murray rolled up 123 yards on 25 carries to keep the ball in the Cowboys’ hands for much of the game, but a couple of play calls will gnaw at them with the offseason starting.
The first came late in the second quarter when Romo lost yardage after dropping a third-and-1 shotgun snap and the Cowboys settled for a long field goal that Dan Bailey missed. A run might have been the more prudent call there, especially afterMason Crosby hit a field goal to end the half. Romo was then was sacked on first and second down near midfield as the game moved into the fourth quarter with Dallas clinging to a 1-point lead. Even after giving all credit to the Packers Defense for their execution, that’s a point when running the ball with Murray might have been the better way to score points and kill clock.
Hindsight is always 20/20, however, and the Cowboys had every reason to believe in Romo’s ability to get it done after a year spent watching him get it done. They were awfully close to doing it when all was said and done, but the bounce went the other way and the Packers are headed back to CenturyLink Field for the second time this season. The first one opened their season and they’ll be trying to make sure visit No. 2 doesn’t end it.
