Cowboys countdown to kickoff: Top 100 iconic games – Day 29

It is Day 29 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff. We are looking back at the 100 most iconic games in Dallas Cowboys history. The countdown will leads us right up to the opening game of 2026. Our look back doesn’t depend on just one criteria for our rankings. We take into consideration things like how big the game was for the organization, how memorable the game was, games that had unusual events take place, games that are a part of NFL lore, Cowboys firsts, and games where the Cowboys just plain dominated. Variety is the spice of life and we have all different kind of Cowboys games to review. At the bottom, we’ll link each day of the countdown so you can go back and check out any you missed.

We got a big one for you on Day 29 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff, when we revisit one of the most remarkable comeback wins in Cowboys history. It was a game that should have ended in defeat. Tony Romo threw five interceptions, lost a fumble and watched the Bills return two interceptions for touchdowns. Yet with just 20 seconds remaining, Dallas somehow completed an unforgettable rally.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 25, Buffalo Bills 24

The Cowboys, who had started the game undefeated, appeared to be on track to become Super Bowl contenders. However, Buffalo had other plans. George Wilson returned Romo’s first interception for a touchdown, and later Chris Kelsay scored another touchdown on a 103-yard interception return after Romo targeted Terrell Owens in the end zone.  A Rian Lindell field goal added to the Bills’ lead, making it 17-7. Despite this, Jason Witten caught a late touchdown to cut the deficit to 17-10 at halftime. 

Dallas struggled to build momentum after the break. Nick Folk connected from 47 and 29 yards, but every time the Cowboys appeared to be climbing back into the game, Buffalo answered. Terrence McGee returned the ensuing kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown following Folk’s second field goal, restoring an 11-point Bills advantage and leaving Dallas trailing 24-13 heading into the fourth quarter.

Despite the turnovers, Romo never stopped attacking. Folk added another field goal early in the final quarter to make it 24-16 before the Cowboys’ defense came alive. Dallas forced consecutive punts and gave the offense one final opportunity with less than two minutes remaining.

Romo drove the Cowboys 80 yards in just over a minute before finding Patrick Crayton for a four-yard touchdown with 20 seconds left. Marion Barber converted the two-point attempt to cut the deficit to 24-22, but Dallas still needed to recover the onside kick. Buffalo appeared to have the game won, only for tight end Ryan Neufeld to mishandle the football, allowing the Cowboys to recover near midfield.

With one final chance, Romo swiftly moved Dallas into Buffalo territory. After a timeout intended to freeze him, rookie kicker Nick Folk calmly drilled a 53-yard field goal as time expired, securing one of the greatest regular-season comebacks in franchise history. Romo finished with 309 passing yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions, making his performance one of the strangest winning quarterback stat lines in NFL history. Witten led the offense with seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown, while Owens added seven receptions for 66 yards. Folk scored 13 points and cemented himself as the hero with the longest game-winning kick of his young career.

This game belongs on the countdown because it perfectly captured the resilience of the 2007 Cowboys. Few teams survive six turnovers on the road. Even fewer overcome two defensive touchdowns and a kickoff return touchdown. Dallas simply refused to quit, and when the opportunity finally arrived, Romo, Folk and the special teams delivered one of the defining wins of the era.

Interesting Facts About the Game

The Cowboys scored nine points in the final 20 seconds after trailing 24-16.

Countdown to kickoff 

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