'Dez Caught It': Looking back at infamous Cowboys-Packers game 10 years later

Exactly 10 years ago Dez Bryant and Dallas Cowboys their playoffs were thwarted after a late fourth-quarter catch was overturned in a game that became known as “Dez Caught It” or the “No-Catch Game.”

A controversial call in a 2014 divisional playoff game against Green Bay Packers forced a turnover in Dallas with less than five minutes left and ultimately cost the Cowboys a chance to win and a berth in the conference championship.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane and look at what happened on January 11, 2015:

Setting the scene

The Cowboys (12-4) faced Aaron Rodgers-led by the Packers (12-4) at Lambeau Field. Dallas entered the matchup as the No. 3 seed and NFC East champion, while Green Bay finished second after a first-round bye as the NFC North division champion.

It was the first playoff meeting between the two teams in 19 years since the 1995 NFC Championship Game.

The infamous call

When Dallas started its final streak of the game, Green Bay led by five points in the fourth quarter.

With 4:42 and 2 left on the game clock, quarterback Tony Romo threw a deep left pass to Bryant, who looked to make a 31-yard catch to put Dallas at the Green Bay 1-yard line. Bryant, covered by Packers linebacker Sam Shields, reached the ball over the goal line for a touchdown.

Photo: David E. Klutho /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

After officials reviewed the tape, the decision was changed to an incomplete pass after it was determined that Bryant failed to prevent the ball from hitting the ground and only regained control after it hit the ground. According to the regulations at that time, the pass did not meet the criteria of a completed catch.

With 4:06 left, the Cowboys gave the ball back to the Packers, and the rest is history. Green Bay won 26-21 and advanced to the conference title game, where it lost Seattle with a similar advantage, 28-22.