Cowboys vs. Packers: Highlights, recap and more

Final

Dallas Cowboys

31

Green Bay Packers

34

The Dallas Cowboys played host to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and Aaron Rodgers and company were able to come away with a thrilling road win.

In a matchup between one veteran quarterback, and one rookie, the veteran got the best of the youngster on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers continued his winning ways, leading the Green Bay Packers to their seventh straight victory while punching the Packers ticket to the NFC Championship Game. The Dallas Cowboys tied the game with 0:37 seconds left in regulation, but the Packers were able to pull out the win with no time remaining.

Green Bay had it going early, as Rodgers continued his hot passing from the week before. Last week, the Packers threw all over one of the better defenses in the league, as Green Bay put up a 38-spot against the New York Giants. On Sunday, he was without star wide receiver Jordy Nelson but was still able to put up some big numbers against the Cowboys.

The Packers jumped out to a 21-3 lead, as Ty Montgomery scored on two short runs before halftime. Dallas was able to cut the lead to eight before the break, after a Dez Bryant touchdown catch and Dan Bailey field goal made the score 21-13. Green Bay would extend their lead in the third quarter, but it would be all Dallas until the Mason Crosby blasted a 56-yard field goal to put the Packers up by three points.

Dallas got the ball back with plenty of time to take the lead, or even tie, and they were able to tie the game up at 31. Prescott got the drive started with a huge throw to Terrance Williams to bring the Cowboys up to midfield. A Jason Witten catch would pull the Cowboys close to field goal range for Dan Bailey, who would come on to kick a 52-yard field goal with 0:37 second left. His kick went right down the middle, but the field goal gave Rodgers and company one shot at the win.

Rodgers was able to take advantage, as he hit Jared Cook with a beautiful strike down the left sideline. The 35-yard throw and catch set Crosby up for another long field goal, which would send the Packers to the NFC Championship. Crosby nailed it, sending the Dallas Cowboys home for the offseason, and the Packers to Atlanta for a shot at Super Bowl 51.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/820765994389893120

Three Stars

Three Stars

1. Mason Crosby

It is not often that a kicker earned our first star, but Mason Crosby certainly did his part on Sunday. The Packers came into the game as nearly a five-point underdog, but they were able to come away with a last-second win in Dallas. Not only did Mason Crosby hit the game winner from over 50 yards out, but it was his second 50-yarder of the game, as he proved once again to be one of the most clutch kickers in recent memory.

2. Aaron Rodgers

Big game Aaron came up big again, and his run during the Packers now eight-game winning streak has been unbelievable. He has now taken his Packers from a 4-6 team to the NFC Championship Game, and the Packers have to be the favorite to win on the road next Sunday. Rodgers threw for over 300 yards in the game, but it was his clutch throw to Jared Cook late that was the dagger for the Cowboys. He is playing at an MVP level and will take on fellow MVP candidate Matt Ryan next week.

3. Dez Bryant

Bryant really showed up in this one, as he tried to shake off the no-catch from last postseason’s matchup. Bryant was all over the field, catching nine balls for 132 yards and two touchdowns. He made big play after big play, as he continued to pull the Cowboys back throughout. The Cowboys were playing with a rookie quarterback in this one, so for his big-time playmaker to step up proved to be huge for Dallas on Sunday.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best QB of All-Time

Next Week

The Packers advance to the NFC Championship Game next weekend where they’ll play Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons in the last game in the Georgia Dome. The NFC Championship Game is slated for Sunday, January 22 at 3:05 p.m. ET. The game will be televised nationally on FOX.