The Cowboys' furious comeback, the Packers' persistent survival, it all needs a deep rewind

For being such a legendary NFL franchise, the Dallas Cowboys have had some trash postseason luck over the past twenty years. From botched snaps, poor quarterback play, and controversial calls, Dallas couldn’t catch a break.
Entering the 2016 season, the Cowboys’ luck finally appeared to be changing thanks to a rookie quarterback they were reluctant to play, Dak Prescott. Prescott led the Cowboys to a fantastic 2016 season, poised to make a run for the Super Bowl until they ran into the NFL’s cockroach - the Green Bay Packers.
What followed next was a chaotic Divisional matchup filled with an improbable comeback, ridiculous late lead changes, and a miraculous catch. But to fully appreciate the madness of this game, it’s essential to understand the history between these storied franchises and understand the journey of the folks that got us to this crazed moment. To do that, we gotta rewind.
Written and produced by: Joe Ali
Edited by: Jiazhen Zhang, and Philip Pasternak
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[@goldenarms36]

i remember watching this game and thinking "damn they gave Rodgers too much time"

[@MatthewSheaSullivan]

Many teams have made the same mistake

[@lillagahnavich7700]

Him and Brady were really like that, and it's wild how many years we watched them do it and kind of normalized the greatness...and now that time has caught up to them it's a changing of the guard

[@Snookbone]

Ok

[@stewboyq5216]

The spike was idiotic

[@UnbrokenFlame]

I was working fast food at the time, and thankfully we had a TV in the lobby lol

[@jtsholtod.79]

The most surprising thing to me in all of this is the realization that Dak is currently in his seventh season. I still think of him as relatively new, but he is a bona fide veteran (but still no closer to a championship).

[@OneStarRating]

At the moment he is 3 games away. We shall see.

[@jtsholtod.79]

@@OneStarRating We shall see indeed. Dak and the 'boys looked pretty good against the Bucs, but since Bowles and his band of merry coordinators were clearly using a Magic 8 Ball for their play calling on both sides of the ball, I'll wait to see them play against the Niners on that sloppy turf.

[@OneStarRating]

@@jtsholtod.79 The Niners will be a tough challenge due to their train being at rocket speed momentum. It's going to be a hell of a hit and said train may just chug on through to the Super Bowl, but it may be a strong enough Force to drastically damage and slow or maybe even stop it at its potential final destination... home at Levi's Stadium. We shall see indeed.

[@EmperorPretzel]

He's the oldest QB still in the playoffs

[@titancheat]

@OneStarRating they're going to lose in the nfc or sb game..again.

[@WhamBang]

“The (2010) Packers never lost a game by more than four points, and never trailed by more than seven the entire season, becoming the only team since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to accomplish this. All six of their regular season losses were by a combined 20 points.” That team was literally historic.

[@bugsyproductions3140]

Calm down 😂

[@RJGPG]

@@rosstube That was 2016, not 2010.

[@supachef_dmoney_4]

Tbh, I never new that ish. That's actually scary good.

[@speakinfaxonly21]

Lmao wrong. That was 2010, it was in 2016 and it was just for the REGULAR SEASON. Ya know, the part of the season that doesn't matter. They proceeded to follow this game up with a stinker of all stinkers against Atlanta. Don't remember 44-21 and being down 28-0 at half? Rodgers is a bonafide STAT PADDER. Only care about that TD to int ratio. Doesn't take risks. Rodgers has been a totally different quarterback the last 5-6 years. His focus has shifted.

[@donsolos]

@@speakinfaxonly21 lmao sometimes you just run into much better teams in the playoffs. Rodgers has the rare manning effect where he carried not all that great teams on long post season runs only to eventually run into a buzzsaw. That Falcons team with Kyle Shanahan calling plays was nice

[@dwy3r]

2014-2018 cowboys wasted one of the great O Lines

[@jakebkilgore2086]

I felt awful for Travis Frederick

[@maxmingo7392]

Running the Table is still one of my favorite stretches of Packers games ever.

[@zeke5989]

Same. IMO, this is the last time Rodgers was a baller in the post-season. Best stretch of QB play I've ever seen.

[@gavincalhoun7454]

a ridiculous run. i seriously think he was the best quarterback on the planet during that run, nobody did it like him and it’s been hard to replicate ever since. an true all time run

[@jaykluesy]

I was at the Chicago game during that run, it was so cold it killed my phone. Been to a lot of pack games but that was one of my favorites of all time.

[@thomassantana3750]

Zeke last time Rodgers was a beast in the playoffs he won the SB

[@annbauman6123]

I would say this years stretch of games was pretty great we didn’t make the playoffs but we lost like 4 in a row than we had to win 5 in a row to even make the playoffs

[@konstischumacher8903]

As a cowboys, this game really broke my heart. I dont think I have ever been as invested in a season as 2016. :/

[@daBEAGLE1017]

How many times do you think Green Bay broke us Bear fans hearts?

[@obiwankenobiepisodeI]

You must not have been a fan during the 2014 season I guess

[@groverrogers6916]

@@obiwankenobiepisodeI 0r 07

[@trentonayershandsoffire3620]

Hell I dislike Green Bay from the Ice bowl Games… an that before my time…soo…

[@daBEAGLE1017]

@@trentonayershandsoffire3620 the good ole Bart Starr sneak for the win.

[@AlbertoFlores-rz8bo]

You forgot to mention that BOTH these teams played each other on week 6 that season at Lambeau. The Cowboys obliterated the Packers until the fourth quarter, ending 30-16, thus making the Cowboys huge favorites in the NFC Divisional

[@deathboy126]

Mike McCarthy was playing his future team in this game

[@spadeplaladin5]

In 2015, Romo was rushed back from injury to try and save the season. He suffered another serious injury on Thanksgiving while getting blown out by the Panthers. That was his last start. After an all pro season, he started only 4 more games. Pretty bummer ending that no one deserves.

[@andyandyandy5781]

I was 12 years old watching this game with my dad. That sideline throw from rodgers is still the best throw ive ever seen. When they hit that field goal to beat us I ran upstairs and cried because of how in love with that team I was. From romo going out in preseason and all hope being lost to going 13-3 with our rookie duo of zeke and dak, it was a great season

[@annbauman6123]

Not the best throw I have ever seen that has to got to the Motown Miracle for me Rodger to Rodgers hailmary throw to win the game in Detroit to beat the Lions

[@dylaytch]

Thinking about this game makes me feel pain, I was a freshman in high school at the time

[@powerboards-4124]

i was also 12 and cried when we lost lol

[@tylerblalack6684]

@@powerboards-4124 Im a packers fan and cried the next week homie.

[@andrewpippin5334]

Packers fan here, thank you for giving us a glimmer of joy after this grueling season

[@luharianator]

Yes!

[@joshuas3897]

True lol, I needed this

[@MrOuchiez]

GO PACK GO

[@goldenstatewarriors9418]

Perfect timing as Dak played even better against Tampa then he did against GB.

[@rjante2236]

Yeah Dallas dominated yesterday

[@msolec2000]

@@rjante2236 Not that you need much against those bucs, though :P

[@AspireGMD]

@@msolec2000 It's still the same team that shut dallas to 3 points in the beginning of the season, with also the same QB who is 7-0 against dallas.

[@codbus7651]

@@AspireGMD well, counting playoffs not anymore.

[@annbauman6123]

Just saying when it is that Buccs team that was the only team to make the playoffs with a losing record

[@NeverSaySandwich1]

When Rodgers was at the top of his game, no other QB can match him. The accuracy, intelligence, and clutch is incredible

[@jkbuckeye1]

My favorite (but also I hate it) is how that play was so unbelievable they made Joe Buck re-record his call for later highlights. In real time he definitely called it incomplete at first 😂

[@pavlestikic1112]

Man we just beat Tom Brady and now you remind me of this 😭😭

[@CharlieKellyEsq]

Tom brady is still playing? isn't he like 50? You guys are excited about beating up an old man? Shameful

[@ransom6892]

@@CharlieKellyEsq Where were you two years ago when he won the Super Bowl

[@CharlieKellyEsq]

@@ransom6892 not caring about sportsball I imagine

[@ransom6892]

@@CharlieKellyEsq You should probably find other videos to watch and comment on then

[@CharlieKellyEsq]

@@ransom6892 no, I'm fine here, stop liking your own comments, it's weird

[@c.moriarty1178]

2014 and 2016 were truly squandered opportunities. Yes, the Cowboys just recently lost in hilarious fashion to the 49ers twice in a row, but those two mid-2010s squads were legit, well-constructed contenders. If they had managed to squeak by Green Bay, I think they put up a decent fight against those very talented Seahawks and Falcons teams

[@alexpletcher4365]

Shocked it just breezed over the sack Rodgers took to set up that 3rd & 20. It's an absolute miracle he held on to that ball. The 3rd & 20 play is one of the more underrated throw and catches I've ever seen too.

[@chriskay1449]

His large hands paid off as he was able to palm the football.

[@hjluke4807]

I remember fighting jetlag after a 13 hours flight to watch this game. Truly memorable

[@Weewization]

One day we'll see a rewinder on the '99 nfc championship. Falcons fans need a good memory every once in awhile.

[@jforbes44]

The sequel to this is the 2016 NFC Championship game which is one of my happiest memories as a Falcons fan. Sent the Dome off with dignity

[@lizd.8655]

Last nights Cowboys/TB game was very satisfying to see. As a fan since the 80s, we needed that game to keep hope alive!

[@trentonayershandsoffire3620]

Big Fact!!

[@Sfig26]

Well damn

[@TenzaZangetsu13]

Rodgers went god mode this year and dragged the carcass of the team to this game, one of my favorite Packers years ever

[@IncredibleFulk1]

It really should’ve been him in the Super Bowl that year vs Brady.

[@slylancey]

@@IncredibleFulk1 Still hurts we never got that Rodgers-Brady Super Bowl 😭

[@DStabs720]

@@IncredibleFulk1 no that was 2014. The packers choked so badly in the NFC CG against the Seahawks. The packers got blown out by the falcons after this game.

[@sri-kaushalramana437]

@@slylancey atleast we got that nfc championship game in 2020

[@RicciChoi1109]

Who's here after Cowboys was eliminated in 2024 NFC Wild Card round, when the Packers is in their rebuild year?

[@nicolasfurger1032]

My uncle, a die hard Packer fan and lifelong Cowboys hater, was killed by a drunk driver two days before this game. Our family likes to think that he was up there moving Crosby’s kick from wide left to just inside the post.

[@nonamelegend_vapor]

Thank you for waiting until we took care of business against Tampa to make us relive this pain. Definitely takes the edge off a little Also Dez caught it

[@austincarlson9270]

Naw

[@chief117s15]

Nope, he lost the ball like the trash WR he was 😂

[@bucksolo703]

I still believe that if Dallas would have put Romo in they would have won that game. Romo unlike Dak wouldn't have listened to Jason Garrett predictable and conservative offense wouldn't have gone for the spike and would have hit Dez in the endzone like always.

[@cmkasemichael]

Romo was a choke artist, are you kidding?

[@kyleaustin5859]

They would of never came back and made it a game if they put romo in…problem was that defense..

[@kingtachalla6181]

LMAO hell no that's the same energy as "but but if dez caught the ball they would've won" wit 4 mins left for Rodgers lol y'all gullible as hell when y'all gonna get it over your head cowboys are the browns but in the NFC

[@cousinpatsey2471]

@The Player Profiler nah, Romo wasn't the problem. Romo did his end of the job.

[@vigneshpadinjakkara]

You guys need to rewind Djokovic's win against Federer at the 2011 US Open Semi Final. It was one of the most iconic sporting moments and changed the course of Tennis history.

[@12thMandalorian]

Jaguars comeback against the LA Chargers in this season's Wild Card round will be a future deep rewind

[@TheBINIBALL]

Dak is not that guy. I remember watching this game and season and I thought that Dak could build off of an impressive rookie campaign but after 7 seasons and particularly after seeing how horribly he played today, I'm sorry but he really is not that guy. 2016 fooled tf outta me. Wentz and Dak are much closer than I thought.

[@BallCDO]

Facts!!!!!!!!

[@notray4802]

Run the table rodgers was genuinely the greatest qb play I’ve ever seen in my life. If it was just the second half of the season he would’ve ran away with mvp, and that’s with no disrespect to Matt Ryan

[@9thWheel25]

IS there a rewind for that 2014 Dez Bryant catch? I'd be interested to see that.

[@sportpersona9986]

why we just crushed it in a playoff game

[@zachjones6364]

Only to get murdered by Atlanta the next week sad😢

[@theguywonder]

Being born in the 90's, I was too young to enjoy cowboy success. I got into the team through my dad the same year Romo took over. It's been pretty tragic as a fan.

[@KHMakerD]

That catch was nuts in replay then and is nuts in replay now. Just amazing.

[@pricey6177]

As a Packers fan this game was insane, Rodgers went God mode. I thought that Crosby kick was missing initially. It's also always good beating the Cowboys

[@Cc75757]

Classic Jason Garrett poor clock management and playing for field goals. Glad he’s gone.

[@joshuas3897]

Crosby was super clutch in this game!

[@gbrow1604]

Fun fact: In the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay, there have been three times in the postseason where they took a 21-3 lead, saw the other team almost comeback, but have been able to hold on in the end and win.

[@chriskay1449]

Another fun fact: Aaron Rodgers has never lost a game in Dallas. The QB before him, Brett Favre, never won a game in Dallas.

[@coreyrowe4119]

@@chriskay1449 Favre struggled against the Cowboys but usually beat the 49ers, with Rodgers it has been the exact opposite.

[@5spd5thgen]

Man this game seriously broke my heart

[@behindthefern2846]

Powerful. Hopefully the 9ers beat Dallas this weekend.

[@adambernklau852]

That Rodgers sideline throw is the greatest pass of all time

[@SidTheKid0902]

As a packers fan- this was the first playoff game I REALLY watched, I have snaps and videos from that night….. plus of course we came back to beat Dallas the following regular season (thanks Davante) and we have owned Jerry World ever since

[@themilwaukeebrewerswillnev7545]

Enjoy “owning” the bears and cowboys. Literally all packers fans talk about and nothing to show for all those years of ownage lmao

[@Shmuel420]

How does it feel to miss the playoffs?

[@gwenzhead566]

Aaron fraudgers choked to the lions and made yall miss the playoffs this year :DD

[@zacharycook6435]

Dan Campbell owns the Packers now

[@bornanabrute]

@themilwaukeebrewerswillnev7545 yeah, and everyone says the 9ers own the packers in the playoffs. Where has that got them? 2 superbowl losses, meanwhile the packers atleast got one this century

[@GG-ut9ms]

Here in 2024, knowing that some day in the future a video will be out on the Packers @ Dallas Wildcard game that just happened. “How Dallas went 12-5 3 years in a row and went 1-3 in the playoffs”

[@WaySheGoes12]

Bro called it😂😂😂

[@s.2470]

Not even a Cowboys fan, but that late throw has THE most egregious missed holding call ever, given how blatant it was and the situation.

[@jajabinks4733]

Dez Bryant no catch game needs a deep rewind

[@teamgreats4084]

As a GIANTS fan I can say this..."THAT WAS DEFINITELY A CATCH BY DEZ"!!!!

[@bazzvid64]

As a cowboys fan who lives/grew up in Wisconsin, this play hurts

[@rojeezee]

11:50 still the nicest pass I’ve ever seen. Will never forget it.

[@christophermanley3602]

I was on a plane headed to San Antonio during this game, and enjoyed following the game just by people’s reactions

[@imthebause]

I am once again asking for a rewinder on the Brewers 2008 playoff clinch and CC Sabathia carrying Milwaukee on his back the whole second half.

[@ZeroToPatrick]

Here's a moment you missed: With 23 seconds to play, Jeff Heath sacked Rodgers with the kind of TREMENDOUS hit that causes quarterbacks to fumble 99% of the time. And somehow...Rodgers held on to the ball. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIvacpVniryFhqM

[@scottwinn5043]

So after finally winning a playoff game last night y’all make me feel awful? Thank you secret base. (It was well overdue).

[@jamesm3471]

13:17 No record of success? Maybe at the time of this game. In the 2018-19 Wildcard, Doug Pederson used Philly’s last timeout to turn Bears kicker Cody Parkey into an unemployed popsicle, creating one of the most sacred of all football memes, and win the game!

[@stewboyq5216]

The cowboys absolutely BLEW this game and it’s always bothered me. Why in the hell are you spiking the ball down 3 on the opponents 40 with 1:07 left? You’re on the edge of field goal range already. First of all, you’re wasting a down you need to get closer to the end zone to have a chance to win. So you set yourself up with 2nd and 10 from the 40 with 1:07 left with a HOF qb on the other teams sideline. Yeah, there’s no way that’ll come back to bite you. Manage the clock properly and even if you’re stopped you likely kick the FG and you get OT. One of the WORST clock management mistakes I’ve ever seen.

[@NightingaleSunset]

You guys gotta do an Atlanta Falcons type retrospective on the Cardinals. I need that as a Cardinals fan

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

Though they lost this game, rookies Dak and Zeke appeared like they might finally take Dallas to the NFC Title game and Super Bowl. But 7 years later, the disappointment in the playoffs continue.

[@Mack_Worlds_Media]

I was working as a dishwasher at Jalepeno tree and when it was over all the cooks, waiters and staff had at least 5 minutes of the most somber, dejected, mood ever. It was almost eerie.

[@kasozar3800]

The packers were always a good game short of the Super Bowl wonder how many they could of won if they made it and kept the consistency

[@insertnamehere9950]

as a packers fan i tend not to think about it because i'll just be sad

[@_Boobear_]

Their front office is the problem. They've got no balls to sign good free agents

[@daBEAGLE1017]

Still hate Green Bay.

[@ghostface3652]

People always bring up the “Dez caught it” game but honestly this 2016 game hurt way more than 2014

[@dsbeats5657]

It’s funny this Dallas team is exactly like the Eagles team now where they have a dominant offense of line a great run game He has a lot of read options and RPO’s and a lot of play action. It’s funny how similar they play.

[@edromeandbrossportsandcoll5706]

As a Cowboys fan I never thought that we were from being the Yankees to being the Cubs of the NFL 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@youknowho2541]

Dear Secret Base, we love you!!!! Thank you for the quality content. 😌

[@TheLegendofQ]

2014/2016 are the years that solidified my hatred of the Packers and Rodgers.

[@joshuapatrick682]

The A-Aron joke needs to die, it was never funny. It doesn’t even make sense as a joke because it’s clear the teacher can say other words normally..

[@AETERNVS]

Maybe all that bad luck in the post-season will pay off one day for the Cowboys. Seeing Dallas in the SuperBowl after thirty years, would send chills down the spine of any true NFL fan out there.

[@kingtachalla6181]

Lol y'all ain't going to the sb let's not kid ourselves, BUCS was a terrible team many ppl knew that's why y'all were favs for a reason , y'all the browns but in the AFC , anyone who saw that game knew cowboys would lose against the 49ners their not gonna let wrs run wide open

[@Whereyahidin]

Makes me feel better after watching last night's game.

[@axelaraiza38]

Fun Fact: there was a tornado warning issued for the stadium JUST before this kick

[@kevinscottbailey8335]

Does anyone but this narrator ever actually call a touchdown a tuddy?

[@valdu5899]

A lot off people do

[@kevinscottbailey8335]

@@valdu5899 that might be true, but I have never once heard it outside of this person's narration

[@mrtotalawesomness7830]

Of course this is posted now of all times

[@aragornair6286]

Only 2 loses in the past 10 years have really killed me as a Dallas fan, and both were Divisional games against GB. I hate seeing my team lose, but honestly this 2016 game was the last time i really felt shitty after they lost.

[@Jack-lu3dv]

“Freezing the kicker, a last ditch effort that has no real track record of success” *Double Doink has left the chat*

[@foreversevenfold1666]

Dak literally looks like a different person 7 years later lmao

[@BallCDO]

He a choke artist now. As a Cowboys fan. This game gave me hope that Dak was that guy. But once again I was fool. Damn u Dak and Jerry!!!!!!!

[@grex2811]

The timing of this video is absolutley hilarious, Cowboys fans are finally celebrating a small amount of postseason success just to be sucker punched with the reminder of this game. It almost makes me feel bad for them... almost.

[@vrangermeier]

Wish there was time to show the Sean Lee sack on that last drive. It's unreal that Rodgers took that blind-side hit without losing his one-handed grip on the ball.

[@Malaki727]

Cowboys field always gives me historical feel

[@megamuffin15]

If Rodgers doesn't hold on to the ball on that final drive sack, Jeff Heath would have a statue in Dallas.

[@FunkoPopnLockn]

Where are the rewinds for all the games the cowboys blew in ridiculous ways

[@Spongey3]

I still remember this like yesterday, why do we need a rewind now too 😭😭😂😂

[@kevinstewart8054]

Say what you want about the cowboys. They’re ability to draft well is why they’re where they are now. Let’s hope cowboy fans let go of the infatuation for Tony Romo. Dak has shown he’s better.

[@slyfox2022]

Cowboys ain't goin to the conference championship this year eitherrrrrr

[@topdogalpha]

How we got to this moment? The refs robbed us (detroit) the week before and then robbed dallas in the same manner this week

[@benjaminczarnik9291]

When Rodgers got sacked, a Dallas fan in our bar yelled "Down goes Fraizer!" When Crosby hit the field goal, I yelled "Down goes Dallas! How bout them PACKERS?!"

[@shoeboxbistro]

Everyone involved in that story sounds like a f*cking loser ngl

[@L_Train]

Can we please stop saying "tuddy"? It sounds like baby talk.

[@gokubadgoku]

honestly those scouting weaknesses were pretty on point dak’s biggest issue is his lack of wanting to throw deep and having really bad footwork still!

[@homunculusSZN]

Can we get a Beef History on Skip Bayless and mental health?

[@xXYasukeakbartinetyuhXx]

Cowboys Tears taste YUMMY on MONDAY!!

[@VastContent]

I genuinely think that everything wrong with the packers today have all correlated back to this very game

[@DTOStudios]

How so? I'm genuinely interested. Like the overreliance on Rodgers hero Ball to win big games?

[@harrisonhatcher5703]

@@DTOStudios yes, aaron ball isn't working as well as it used to

[@rjante2236]

I think to a degree you're right

[@harrisonhatcher5703]

@@rjante2236 it's definitely not an insult either, it almost got them back in the playoffs. i just don't think as an organization with a below average offensive roster you can rely on older aaron rodgers to will them in anymore. especially since the vikings, bears, and the lions are all trending up

[@rjante2236]

@@harrisonhatcher5703 This is a fair assessment. The way the team should be going is to trade Rodgers if possible and draft Love some weapons. A rebuild has to happen if we want to get back to our peak.

[@jassingh4208]

This season was peak Aaron Rodgers. Too bad that defense was Swiss cheese

[@kingjamesupnext]

3 hrs later, the chiefs lost to the Steelers who didn’t score a TD

[@coreyrowe4119]

1 week later Green Bay got owned by the pre 28-3 Falcons.

[@byronnotbrian5419]

Really hoping to see another crushing loss for the cowboys this year

[@michaelmata9171]

Just beat the Bucs, HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS

[@BOS_C.O.]

Paxton Lynch lmao the Cowboys dodge a bullet

[@griffinhays2053]

And then Green Bay got annihilated by Atlanta in the NFC Championship

[@fro-nominal4145]

Then Atlanta choked the the biggest lead in superbowl history, 28-3.

[@mical2great]

Remember when freezing the kicker was controversial 🤣🤣... then madden added the ice the kicker feature into its games

[@NeverSober8008]

The broncos did it all the time in the 90s, so I don’t remember it being controversial

[@johnpineda8478]

Prescott is a good qb but not good enough to win a championship

[@BrianFarstvedt]

This was the year they picked up the pass interference vs the Lions. F the cowboys.

[@coreyrowe4119]

Nah that was 2 years earlier in the 2014 playoffs

[@BallCDO]

Another suffering loss as a Cowboys fan :-(

[@noelsebastian4019]

Yg karna froyonion kesini mana suaranyaaaaa.....

[@zsoren42]

my gosh it was 7 years ago. I remember watching this in 6th grade