This post is part of the 50 Seasons in 50 Weeks Series.
The Cowboys had plenty of opportunities to win the 1981 NFC Championship game, though what most people remember is Joe Montana hitting Dwight Clark in the right corner of the end zone with 51 seconds left in the game. The touchdown capped off an 89-yard drive and gave San Francisco a 28-27 lead.
Care to watch?
Danny White’s opportunity to develop any sort of legacy died on the Cowboys’ last possession. White hit Drew Pearson on a 31-yard pass that gave Dallas the ball at the San Francisco 45. It turned out to be Pearson’s only reception of the game, but he nearly pulled out another Hail Mary. Had Eric Wright not grabbed a piece of Pearson’s jersey, Peason likely would have scored.
On the next play, White was stripped by backup defensive end Lawrence Pillars. Lineman Jim Stuckey recovered, securing the win for the 49ers.
It is easy to forget that White put the Cowboys in position to win the game. His 21-yard touchdown pass to Doug Cosbie was the second TD pass of the game and gave Dallas the 27-21 lead four minutes into the fourth quarter.
The Dallas defense forced six turnovers in the game (3 ints., 3 fumbles) but could not stop San Francisco on that last fateful 49er drive.
Dallas recovered in a sense, making the NFC Championship game yet again in 1982. However, the scars from this game did not heal until more than a decade later.
Matt,this is one of your best summaries.The Dallas offense played well enough to win,as well as the defense getting six turnovers,but I remember watching and saying about that last 49er drive,stop playing that stupid prevent defense,and play what put you in the drivers seat to begin with.Coach Landry just outcoached himself on that drive.Remember Montana wasn’t Montana yet,and was prone to making crucial mistakes as a lot of young Qbacks do.Bring the pressure by blitzing,or playing run defense.Keep in mind there was still 4:54 left to play.This one hurt right up there with SBXIII,and didn’t go away until Troy,Emmitt,Michael,and the JJ’s Came along to heal those wounds ten years later. Looking from San Fran’s perspective,it had to be sweet victory because of what Dallas had done to them three years in a row in the ’70,’71,and especially Staubach’s playoff ’72 miracle comeback.I still feel Dallas had a better team in this one,but San Fran even if they had lost,would have still been the team of the 80′s because of great drafting for them,and poor drafting for us.One more thought for you guys that actually watched it.Drew Pearson a couple of figertips from glory on that last catch from Danny sticks with me as much as Clarke’s catch.Arguably,if Drew goes all the way,it would have been the greatest playoff game of all time would’nt it?
The Niners had beaten us earlier in the year, 45-14, so going out to SF and winning was certainly not a given.
As much as I hate to think about this game, I believe it was truly a “changing of the guard”.