Cowboys Countdown To Kickoff: Top 100 Iconic Games – Day 38

It is Day 38 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 reach day 38 of our 100-day countdown, when we revisit the Cowboys’ final tune-up before another heavyweight NFC Championship showdown with the San Francisco 49ers. Green Bay arrived at Texas Stadium hoping to prove it was ready to join the NFC’s elite. Dallas had other plans for Green Bay. 

Sunday, January 8, 1995 — 12:30 p.m. ET

Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 35, Green Bay Packers 9

The Cowboys quickly took control of the game. Kevin Williams returned the opening kickoff 36 yards to the Green Bay 49, giving Dallas excellent field position. Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith then orchestrated a 51-yard drive that culminated in Smith scoring from five yards out. Chris Boniol’s extra point secured a 7-0 lead for the Cowboys less than four minutes into the game.

Green Bay answered with a 50-yard field goal from Chris Jacke, but Dallas produced the game’s defining play on its next possession. Backed up at his own six-yard line, Aikman dropped into his end zone and launched the ball deep toward Alvin Harper. Harper made the catch near midfield and raced away for a 94-yard touchdown, stretching the lead to 14-3.

The explosion was vintage Harper. Michael Irvin and Jay Novacek handled much of the underneath and intermediate work, while Harper supplied the field-changing strike that broke Green Bay’s confidence. A possession that began inches from Dallas’ goal line ended with the Cowboys celebrating at the opposite end of Texas Stadium. 

Dallas faced a major concern when Smith left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury. Despite rushing seven times for 44 yards and scoring the opening touchdown, the Cowboys were forced to rely on Blair Thomas to carry most of the rushing workload. Instead of letting the injury hinder their offense, Dallas continued to move the ball effectively through Aikman’s passing and Thomas’ steady running.

Thomas scored from one yard out midway through the second quarter, extending the Cowboys’ lead to 21-3. Green Bay responded with their only touchdown when Edgar Bennett crossed from one yard, but Brett Favre’s two-point pass failed. Despite the Packers cutting the margin to 21-9, Dallas still had enough time to deliver another blow before halftime. 

Aikman moved the Cowboys downfield once more and finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown pass to reserve tight end Scott Galbraith. The score came with only seconds left in the half and sent Dallas into the locker room leading 28-9. Dallas slowed the tempo after halftime, trusting its defense and running game to protect the lead. The Packers were held scoreless over the final two quarters, failed on two fourth-down attempts and finished four-of-16 on third down. Thomas completed the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He finished with 70 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, giving Dallas exactly what it needed after Smith’s injury.

This game belongs on the countdown because it was the bridge between a strong regular season and the matchup everyone had been waiting to see. Dallas had finished 12-4 during Barry Switzer’s first year as head coach, but the season was always going to be judged by whether the Cowboys could get through San Francisco again. By dismantling Green Bay, Dallas earned a third consecutive NFC Championship meeting with the 49ers.

Interesting Facts About the Game

Harper’s 94-yard touchdown remains the longest offensive play in Cowboys playoff history. 

Countdown To Kickoff by day: 

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