Cowboys countdown to kickoff: Top 100 iconic games – Day 30

It is Day 30 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.

Welcome in for Day 30 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff, when we revisit the playoff victory that sent the Cowboys one step closer to the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history. Dallas travelled to face a Minnesota team that had won eight straight games to close the regular season, but Tom Landry’s veteran squad looked to deliver one of its most complete defensive performances.

Saturday, December 25, 1971

Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 20, Minnesota Vikings 12

The Vikings entered the postseason with plenty of momentum, led by quarterback Gary Cuozzo, a physical rushing attack and the famous Purple People Eaters defense. Minnesota looked like a legitimate championship contender and Dallas had spent years falling just short in the playoffs, but arrived determined to prove it could finally finish the job.

Dallas’s first opportunity came when Larry Cole forced Dave Osborn to fumble, which Jethro Pugh recovered at the Minnesota 36-yard line. Roger Staubach then completed an 18-yard pass to Bob Hayes, but Page’s third-down sack halted the drive. Mike Clark kicked a 26-yard field goal, but Fred Cox responded with a 27-yard field goal to tie the score at 3-3. 

Chuck Howley intercepted Bob Lee, returning the ball 26 yards into Minnesota territory and giving the Cowboys the lead. Despite failing to score, Clark converted a 44-yard field goal for a 6-3 halftime advantage. However, Minnesota squandered excellent field position after Clint Jones’ 61-yard kickoff return, with three incompletions followed by Cox missing a 41-yard field goal. 

The decisive separation arrived immediately after halftime. Cliff Harris intercepted Lee and returned the ball 30 yards to the Minnesota 13-yard line. Duane Thomas scored on the next play, giving Dallas a 13-3 lead without requiring the offense to manufacture a long drive against Minnesota’s defensive front.

Dallas’s best sustained possession of the second half came later. Charlie Waters returned a punt 24 yards, setting up Staubach’s third-and-15 conversion. Staubach completed a 30-yard pass to Lance Alworth, and Hayes grabbed a nine-yard touchdown to extend the Cowboys’ lead to 20-3. 

Minnesota’s danger continued into the fourth quarter. Page sacked Staubach in the end zone for a safety, and Gary Cuozzo replaced Lee after the free kick. Cuozzo moved the Vikings deep into Dallas territory, but Lee Roy Jordan intercepted him at the 10-yard line, preventing a comeback before it could gain momentum.

Cuozzo eventually connected with Stu Voigt for a six-yard touchdown with a little more than two minutes remaining, reducing the margin to 20-12. The late score made the finish appear closer, but Dallas recovered the onside kick and protected the lead.

This game belongs on the countdown because it showed the adaptability of the team that would finally win the championship. Dallas could not overwhelm the Purple People Eaters with yardage, so it relied on field position, ball security and its own opportunistic defense. The Cowboys played patiently, punished Minnesota’s errors and created enough separation before the Vikings’ late rally.

Interesting Facts About the Game

The Cowboys held Minnesota to only one field goal through the first three quarters and never allowed the Vikings offense to settle into the game. 

Countdown to kickoff 

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