Dallas, TX
Cowboys’ loss to Packers ranks atop list of Dallas’ worst playoff losses since last Super Bowl victory
On January 28, 1996, Jerry Jones hoisted the Dallas Cowboys’ fifth Vince Lombardi Trophy. Little did anyone know back then that would be the last time the Cowboys would sniff a Super Bowl for the next three decades.
Dallas has yet to make it back to an NFC title game since then, let alone a Super Bowl. The Cowboys’ playoff failures continued on Sunday as Dallas fell at home to the seventh-seeded Packers, the same franchise that handed Landry’s Cowboys two crushing playoff losses in the late ’60s.
Jones’ franchise is now 5-13 in the postseason since defeating Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XXX. Of those 13 losses, several stick out more than the others. Here’s a look at the Cowboys’ five worst playoff losses over the past 28 years. The first game on our list shouldn’t be a surprise.
1. 2023 NFC wild card
Yep, Sunday night’s loss is the Cowboys’ worst playoff defeat over the last 28 years. Why? Because the Cowboys were the NFC’s No. 2 seed playing a Packers team that barely made the playoffs. And they were absolutely crushed in the first half.
Adding to the magnitude of this loss is the Cowboys having the NFL’s top-ranked offense and fifth-ranked scoring defense. Specifically, it surely hurt Jones to see Dak Prescott get outplayed by Jordan Love, a first-year starter who played Dallas’ defense like a fiddle.
While a Super Bowl was ultimately the goal, it’s safe to say Cowboys fans would have been content with a hard-fought loss to the top-seeded 49ers, falling one game shy of the big game. Instead, Cowboys fans are once again dealing with an unsatisfying ending to a promising season. Rest assured that Jones won’t take his team’s most recent setback sitting down.
2. 2007 divisional round
On paper, the Cowboys’ best team since the ’90s was the 2007 squad that tied the franchise record for regular season wins (13). That team was led by future Hall of Famers Demarcus Ware, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo.
Instead of a Super Bowl run, the ’07 Cowboys were shocked at home against the rival New York Giants in the divisional round. Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw two touchdowns to Amari Cooper, while his defense held the Cowboys’ high-scoring offense to just 17 points.
New York sewed up its upset win with an interception in the end zone with 16 seconds left. The Giants parlayed that win into an improbable Super Bowl victory over the previously undefeated Patriots.
3. 2014 NFC divisional round
While no one knew it at this time, the 2014 season was the Cowboys’ last legitimate run with Romo under center. The Cowboys went 12-4 during the regular season before winning a thriller against the Lions in the wild-card round.
Dallas was on the verge of upsetting the Packers in Lambeau Field the following week in the divisional round. But the Cowboys were on the wrong side of one of the most controversial calls in NFL history when the officials determined that Dez Bryant did not secure Romo’s fourth down throw late in the game that would have given the Cowboys the ball just short of the goal line.
The Cowboys never got the ball back after Aaron Rodgers completed third-down completions to Davante Adams and Randall Cobb.
4. 2016 NFC divisional round
Similar to ’07, the ’16 Cowboys had a team of destiny feel. They enjoyed a magical season that was led by rookie phenoms Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. The rookie duo led the Cowboys to a franchise-tying 13 regular season wins.
Prescott was on the verge of leading the Cowboys to an epic comeback win against the Packers in the divisional round. Down 28-13, Prescott threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and helped set up the game-tying field goal with 35 seconds left.
With overcome looming, Rodgers instead stole Prescott’s thunder by making an absurd, 36-yard completion to Jared Cook that set up Mason Crosby’s game-winning, 51-yard field goal as time expired.
5. 2006 NFC wild card round
- Seahawks 21, Cowboys 20
Dallas’ 2021 wild card loss to Green Bay was considered here, but the ’06 playoff loss was ultimately chosen for several reasons. For one, the Cowboys lost a game that would have snapped the franchise’s 11-year drought without a playoff win. The fact that the game was lost on a routine special teams play didn’t hurt, either.
The Cowboys were a chip shot field goal away for taking a two-point lead over Seattle with 1:19 left. But Romo (the holder) fumbled the snap and was tackled from behind after he tried in vein to reach the end zone with his legs.
Dallas, TX
Fatal crash on LBJ Freeway in Dallas leaves 1 dead, multiple people hospitalized, police say
One person has died and several others are injured after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 635 in Dallas on Saturday.
Police were called to the 11100 block of westbound LBJ Freeway just before 6:30 p.m. for a major accident. Investigators discovered that a blue sedan heading west on I-635 moved to exit from the second from the left lane. It first hit the concrete barrier and traffic attenuator, or crash cushion. The sedan was then hit by a white pickup truck and a semi truck, police said. The sedan then caught on fire.
One passenger in the blue sedan died on the scene and another was ejected. The driver of the sedan and the ejected passenger were both taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The driver and two passengers in the pickup truck were also taken to the hospital. Their conditions are unknown.
Dallas police said the investigation is ongoing.
The family of 38‑year‑old Marisol Perez and her 18‑month‑old son, Erik Jr., is sharing their grief after the two were killed in Thursday’s apartment explosion and fire in Dallas’ Oak Cliff.
The blast at the Clyde Apartments also claimed the life of community activist and Democratic Party precinct chair Sylvia Collins. Five others were injured.
Marisol’s sisters describe her as a devoted mother and a deeply loving person.
“She was a dedicated mom and a good person… she had a good heart and wonderful intentions,” said Maria Lopez, Marisol’s sister.
Family members rushed to the scene after receiving a call from police, hoping Marisol and her children had made it out safely.
“They told me they couldn’t find my sister and her baby. It was devastating,” Lopez said.
Daughter rescued from rubble
Marisol’s 9‑year‑old daughter, Vanessa, was pulled from the rubble by a good Samaritan moments after the explosion. She turns 10 on Monday.
“We don’t have any words to thank him. We are so grateful,” Lopez said.
“He risked his life. Anything could have happened when he ran across the street to get her,” said sister Nora Carmona.
A close-knit family grieving
Marisol was one of four sisters, all of whom said they shared a tight bond.
“We called her Mari… or güera,” Lopez said.
“Every special occasion, she wanted me to do her makeup and hair. We’d laugh and bond. I miss it so much,” said sister Rosalinda Martinez.
The family says they are now focused on supporting Marisol’s husband, who was at work when the explosion happened.
“He wants justice. He knows this was not just a tragic accident. There have to be answers,” Carmona said.
Vigil planned for Sunday
The family is inviting the public to a vigil in honor of Marisol and Erik Jr. The event is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday.
A GoFundMe has also been created to help with funeral expenses.
H-E-B is one step closer to opening its first location in the city of Dallas.
The grocery chain filed a construction permit for the store at 635 and Hillcrest Road on Wednesday.
According to the permit, construction is set to begin in March 2027. The store is projected to open in September 2028.
When plans for the location were first announced last year, some neighbors raised concerns about the development. Those concerns included increased traffic, noise pollution and crime.
A primary concern is congestion in an already high-traffic area. H-E-B says it plans to add turn lanes and make other upgrades to ease congestion, but neighbors still have concerns.
When the zoning request was still being considered in December 2025, some drew comparisons between the abundance of grocery stores in northern Dallas to the long fight to bring more grocers to food deserts in southern Dallas. The rezoning request passed 14-1.
In a statement, H-E-B wrote: “We appreciate the thoughtful consideration from city officials, staff, and community members throughout this process. We are committed to serving Texans and look forward to bringing our first H-E-B store to the city of Dallas.”
Benjamin Scott, Group Vice President of Real Estate and Shopping Center Development for H-E-B said the new store will bring 800 new jobs and an estimated $24 million in tax revenue to Dallas over the next five years.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.
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