In two of the past three games, the Cowboys managed to avenge their past two playoff losses. Dallas lost 21-20 to Seattle in the wildcard round of the 2006 playoffs but did not get a chance to beat the Seahawks in 2007. Although few mentioned it at the time, thanks to a dismal season by Seattle, the Cowboys were able to avenge the loss by beating the Seahawks 34-9 on Thanksgiving Day.
On Sunday, Dallas beat Giants, who had knocked the Cowboys out of the 2007 playoffs with a 21-17 at Texas Stadium in January. The win doesn’t quite erase the disappointment from last year, but it doesn’t hurt.
Here is a look at how the Cowboys have responded to playoff losses in the past.
1966 and 1967 Losses to Green Bay, NFL Championship Games
The Cowboys lost the 1966 NFL Championship Game to the Packers and then lost the rematch in 1967 in the Ice Bowl. The Cowboys lost again to Green Bay in 1968 before finally recording a 16-3 win over the Packers in 1970.
1968 and 1969 Losses to Cleveland, NFL Playoffs
The Browns gave the Cowboys all sorts of trouble in the late 1960s. After losing to Cleveland 31-20 in 1968, the Browns destroyed the Cowboys 42-10 during the regular season. The playoffs in 1969 were no better for Dallas, as the Cowboys lost 38-14. The Cowboys finally beat the Browns 6-2 in 1970.
1970 Loss to the Baltimore Colts, Super Bowl V
The Cowboys lost 16-13 to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V. In their next matchup in 1972, the Cowboys routed Baltimore, 21-0.
1972 Loss to Washington, NFC Championship Game
The Cowboys lost the NFC Championship Game in 1972 to the Redskins. In 1973, the Cowboys lost to Washington in their first matchup, but the Cowboys beat the Redskins 27-7 later in the season.
1973 Loss to Minnesota, NFC Championship Game
The Cowboys lost their bid to return to the Super Bowl in 1973 when they lost 27-10 to the Vikings. Dallas avenged the loss by beating the Vikings with the Hail Mary in 1975.
1975 and 1978 Losses to Pittsburgh, Super Bowls X and XIII
The Cowboys lost to the Steelers five consecutive times during the 1970s and early 1980s, including Super Bowls X and XIII. Dallas did not finally beat Pittsburgh again until 1985.
1970s Losses to the Rams
The Cowboys lost to the L.A. Rams in the 1976 and 1979 playoffs. Dallas avenged the 1976 loss by beating the Rams in the 1978 NFC Championship Game. The Cowboys also avenged the 1979 loss by beating the Rams in the Wildcard Round of the 1980 playoffs.
1980 Loss to Philadelphia, NFC Championship Game
After losing 20-7 in the 1980 NFC title game, Dallas swept the Eagles in 1981.
1981 Loss to San Francisco, NFC Championship Game
Dallas had to wait 11 years to beat the 49ers after losing to San Francisco in 1981. The next Dallas win came in the 1992 NFC Championship Game.
1982 Loss to Washington, NFC Championship Game
The Cowboys faced the Redskins at Washington to open the 1983 season. Dallas came from behind to pull out a 31-30 win.
1983 Loss to the L.A. Rams, NFC Wildcard Round
The Cowboys opened the 1984 season by traveling to L.A. to face the Rams. The Cowboys avenged the playoff loss by beating the Rams, 20-13.
1985 Loss to the L.A. Rams, NFC Divisional Round
The Cowboys were shut out by the Rams in 1985. The next Dallas win over Los Angeles came at the end of the 1987 season when the Cowboys won 29-21.
1991 Loss to Detroit, NFC Divisional Round
The Cowboys were blown out 38-6 in the 1991 playoffs by the Lions, but Dallas responded the next year by beating the Lions 37-3.
1994 Loss to San Francisco, NFC Championship Game
The Cowboys lost to the 49ers to end Dallas’ bid to win three straight Super Bowls. Dallas finally beat the 49ers in 1996.
1996 Loss to Carolina, NFC Divisional Round
The Cowboys began their current streak of playoff losses by losing to the Panthers, 26-17. Dallas avenged the loss by beating Carolina 27-20 in 1998.
1998 Loss to Arizona, NFC Wildcard Round
The Cowboys flopped in a 20-7 loss to Arizona in the 1998 playoffs. Dallas handed the Cardinals a 35-7 loss the following season.
1999 Loss to Minnesota, NFC Wildcard Round
At 8-8, Dallas had little business playing in the 1999 playoffs and lost the Vikings, 27-10. Dallas did not beat Minnesota again until 2007.
2003 Loss to Carolina, NFC Wildcard Round
The Cowboys were torched 29-10 in the 2003 playoffs by a Panther team that Dallas had beaten earlier in the season. Dallas avenged the loss in 2005 by beating Carolina on the road late in the season.
2006 Loss to Seattle, NFC Wildcard Round
Dallas lost to the Seahawks 21-20 thanks to Tony Romo’s botched snap on the go-ahead field goal. Dallas beat Seattle 34-9 on Thanksgiving Day in 2008.
2007 Loss to the N.Y. Giants, NFC Divisional Round
The Cowboys suffered their most disappointing playoff loss in year by falling to the Giants in 2007. The Cowboys on Sunday beat New York in the next-to-last game at Texas Stadium.
This is dumb…. I’m a Cowboys fan… and I’d much prefer them to win the playoff game then to have to avenge the loss!
Brilliant commentary, Kevlaur. I’ll try not to be so dumb.
Kevlaur, your preference wasn’t the point of the article — I’m sure all Cowboy fans and the team itself would also prefer to win the playoff games.
But the reality is, Dallas has actually lost in the post-season. The point of the article was how Dallas responded to those post-season losses when they next faced that opponent. Bouncing back is one sign of a good team. If we’re lucky, the Cowboys will win all the way to the Super Bowl, but the odds are against it, and kick will have to add another rematch to his list.
If and when he does, you won’t have to come back to tell us how “dumb” it is . . .