Cowboys' big days
Gaylon Krizak
Express-News staff writer
Jason Witten's 15-reception effort Sunday at Detroit — including the game-tying touchdown with 18 seconds left — tied the NFL record for single-game catches by a tight end. It helped the Dallas Cowboys clinch the NFC East title for the first time since 1998. And it did not come without drama, since a fumble by Witten (right) at the Lions' 1-yard line 5 1/2 minutes earlier looked as if it would prove costly. Where does it belong on a list of all-time great Cowboys performances? You make the call. Here are a few others:
Emmitt Smith, Jan. 2, 1994: Despite spraining and partially separating his right shoulder during the first half, Smith ran for 168 yards on 32 carries and caught 10 passes for 61 yards and a TD as the Cowboys clinched home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs with a 16-13 overtime victory on the road against the New York Giants.
Chuck Howley, Jan. 17, 1971: There have been more spectacular defensive performances, but few more noteworthy. Howley, a middle linebacker, intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble against the Baltimore Colts, making him the first defensive player to be named Super Bowl MVP — and, to date, the only MVP to play for the losing team.
Deion Sanders, Sept. 21, 1998: In an otherwise nondescript 31-7 victory over the Giants, Sanders lived up to his "Prime Time" nickname on "Monday Night Football" with a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown, followed by a 71-yard interception return for a TD. For good measure, he caught a 55-yard pass thrown by Jason Garrett — now Witten's offensive coordinator.
Roger Staubach, Dec. 23, 1972: Staubach, out since Week 5 with a separated shoulder, played just one quarter in the Cowboys' divisional-playoff game at San Francisco. It was enough. Staubach replaced Craig Morton and was 12 of 20 for 174 yards in the fourth period as Dallas erased a 28-13 deficit and won 30-28 on Staubach's 10-yard TD pass to Ron Sellers with 52 seconds left.
Express-News staff writer
Jason Witten's 15-reception effort Sunday at Detroit — including the game-tying touchdown with 18 seconds left — tied the NFL record for single-game catches by a tight end. It helped the Dallas Cowboys clinch the NFC East title for the first time since 1998. And it did not come without drama, since a fumble by Witten (right) at the Lions' 1-yard line 5 1/2 minutes earlier looked as if it would prove costly. Where does it belong on a list of all-time great Cowboys performances? You make the call. Here are a few others:
Emmitt Smith, Jan. 2, 1994: Despite spraining and partially separating his right shoulder during the first half, Smith ran for 168 yards on 32 carries and caught 10 passes for 61 yards and a TD as the Cowboys clinched home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs with a 16-13 overtime victory on the road against the New York Giants.
Chuck Howley, Jan. 17, 1971: There have been more spectacular defensive performances, but few more noteworthy. Howley, a middle linebacker, intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble against the Baltimore Colts, making him the first defensive player to be named Super Bowl MVP — and, to date, the only MVP to play for the losing team.
Deion Sanders, Sept. 21, 1998: In an otherwise nondescript 31-7 victory over the Giants, Sanders lived up to his "Prime Time" nickname on "Monday Night Football" with a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown, followed by a 71-yard interception return for a TD. For good measure, he caught a 55-yard pass thrown by Jason Garrett — now Witten's offensive coordinator.
Roger Staubach, Dec. 23, 1972: Staubach, out since Week 5 with a separated shoulder, played just one quarter in the Cowboys' divisional-playoff game at San Francisco. It was enough. Staubach replaced Craig Morton and was 12 of 20 for 174 yards in the fourth period as Dallas erased a 28-13 deficit and won 30-28 on Staubach's 10-yard TD pass to Ron Sellers with 52 seconds left.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:45 AM
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