This is the first of a series of posts I am beginning to recap the decade in sports, as well as movies, music, news, and other milestones. This was the first decade that I really fully remember, (the early 1990's were kind of fuzzy) so I'm excited to do this best of the decade series.
This first seleciton is the top 10 most memorable Dallas Cowboys games of the decade. I have seen all of these games and these are the ten that stick out to me the most. Some of them are wins, some losses, but all of them very memorable games for one reason or another.
10. January 1, 2006 vs. St Louis (Rams 20, Cowboys 10)
A two years removed from our surprise appearence in the 2004 playoffs (the first for me as a Dallas fan personally), we jsut needed a Sunday Night win over a depleted Rams team to clinch a wild card berth. Remember, this was not the Greatest Show on Turf, this was Jamie Martin at quarterback and Joe Vitt (who?) as the interim head coach. However, two Drew Bledsoe itnerceptions, and Rams touchdowns from Aveion Cason and Arlen Harris later, and Dallas missed the playoffs. Washington would take our spot.
9. September 15, 2003 at NY Giants (Cowboys 35, Giants 32)
In 2003, which would end in a surprising playoff appearence for the Cowboys, this was the game that jump started the season. On a Monday night at Giants Stadium, Billy Cundiff tied an NFL record with SEVEN field goals, including 52 yarder to send the game into overtime and a 25 yarder to win it. My favorite Dallas Monday night game ever and one for the record books. Hats off to Cundiff, wherever he may be today.
8. October 8, 2007 at Buffalo (Cowboys 25, Bills 24)
From one Monday night favorite to my second favorite Monday night game, Dallas pulls off an incredible comeback to remain undefeated an avoid being upset at the hands of the Buffalo Bills. Why is the higher than the previous game? Because the way Dallas won was improbable. After a missed two-point conversion put the Cowboys down 24-22 with little time left, the Boys recovered an onside kick and then Nick Folk hit a 53 yarder TWICE (Buffal oiced him on the first one) to win the game.
7. November 24, 2005 vs. Denver (Broncos 24, Cowboys 21)
A classic Thanksgiving battle that would hurt Dallas' playoff run later in the season. Ron Dayne had 98 yards and a touchdown in what was really his only hurrah with the Broncos. Meanwhile, Dallas tied a tight game at 21 with a 4th quarter Bledsoe to Jason Witten touchdown pass. However, in overtime, Denver won on a JAson Elam field goal.
6. Novemeber 19, 2006 vs. Indianapolis (Cowboys 21, Colts 14)
This was the comign of age for Tony Romo and Dallas in my mind, taking down an undefeated Colts team at home. Romo was 19 of 23 for 226 yards, Marion Barber ran for tow touchdowns and Julius Jones added 79 yards on the ground. The Boys picked off Peyton Manning twice, one of which was returned by linebacker Kevin Burnett for a touchdown. Without a doubt, the changing of times for the Cowboys.
5. November 28, 2002 vs. Washington (Cowboys 27, Redskins 20)
My personal favorite Thanksgiving game and a classic against archrival Washington. Down 20-10 in the 3rd quarter, Roy Williams came up big with an interception of Danny Wuerffel, returning it for a touchdown to slice the deficit to 20-17. Then, in the 4th quarter, Chad Hutchinson found Joey Galloway with a deep ball down the slideline for what would be the winning score. The defense held stout late and preserved the win to put Dallas at 5-7. It would be our final win of the season.
4. December 28, 2008 at Philadelphia (Eagles 44, Cowboys 6)
And now, for the absolute worst game I've witnesses in Dallas Cowboys history. I won't recount tbe game, the Eagles scored a lot of points, the Cowboys didn't, and we missed the playoffs. For all the hype of this game, I had never been so let down in my life and it's a scar that still sticks with me today. However, I am proud to say I watched every minute of the massacre and stuck with my team to the end. And I can always tell myself, it can't be any worse, than that fateful afternoon.
3. January 13, 2008 NFC Divisional Playoff vs. NY Giants (Giants 21, Cowboys 17)
What a letdown. This game really shows what both teams have been all about these years and also shows why the Giants won this afternoon's game. New York wins the big games, Dallas doesn't. The Giants have this character and vigor amongst themselves this game and shut down the Cowboys powerful offensive juggernaut. On the flip side, the Cowboys were already lookign forward to old man Brett Favre and the Packers. A disappoitment of a game, but the rightful team won this game and would win the Super Bowl.
2. October 27, 2002 vs. Seattle (Seahawks 17, Cowboys 14)
This is my favorite memory of Dallas Cowboys football to date. The result of the game wasn't important on this day, if you were wondering, Josh Brown kicked a field goal late to win it for the Seahawks. This game was when Emmitt Smith ran for 109 yards and broke Walter Payton's record for the most career rushing yards of all-time. It was Smith's final year with the team and while I don't think he was the greatest running back of all-time, he's certainly a man who deserves the record. Everything about this game is what football and psorts is all about and this memory sticks out more than any other part of that 5-11 season.
1. January 6, 2007 NFC Wild Card Game at Seattle (Seahawks 21, Cowboys 20)
A lot has happened this past decade, three playoff games, Emmitt's rushing record, some great Thanksgiving games, and a NFC East Division title, (and hopefully one more in a few weeks). However, nothing sticks out more to me this decade than the bobbled snap. Tony Romo not being able to put down the hold for Martin Gramatica to kick a 19 YARD FIELD GOAL to win the game over the Seahawks in the playoffs. And because of this, Dallas will finish this decade with an 0-3 playoff record. Tony Romo may be one of the best Dallas players this decade (that will be a list to come soon) but this was deifnitly a lowlight.
Honroable Mention: The Cowboys lose to the Panthers in the 2003 NFC Wild Card round, Terrell Owens stands on the star in 2000, Eagles-Cowboys pickle juice game in 2000.
Monday Mornign Quarterback will be coming shortly. Later this week check for more memorable games, the Toronto Raptors will be next, followed by the New York Yankees nad finally the Philadelphia Flyers.
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