NFL Playoffs: Top 10 Divisional Playoff games in NFL history

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 23: Wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs flashes a peace sign toward outside linebacker Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills as he heads for the end zone to score a touchdown during the 4th quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Quarterback Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the 1972 NFC Divisional Playoffs (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images) /

Best divisional round games in NFL history: 4. Cowboys 30, 49ers 28 (NFC: 1972)

This weekend in San Francisco, the NFC West champion 49ers and wild card Dallas Cowboys will collide in the postseason for the ninth time. However, the clubs’ postseason rivalry began at the start of the merger.

Tom Landry’s team had defeated the Niners in both the 1970 and ‘71 NFC Championship Games. Now the then-defending Super Bowl VI champions were in the Bay Area beginning their quest to reach the “Big Game” for the third straight year.

Craig Morton was Dallas’ starting quarterback that afternoon but he had a miserable outing. He finished the game completing just eight of his 21 throws for 96 yards and a score with two interceptions. Late in the third quarter and with the team down 28-13, Landry turned to Roger Staubach, the MVP of Super Bowl VI. He also had his issues early on against the San Francisco defense. For the game, the Cowboys gained 402 total yards but turned over the ball five times.

Regardless, Dallas scored the final 17 points of the contest, throwing a pair of touchdown passes within the final two minutes. He connected with Billy Parks for a 20-yard score and the Cowboys got the ball back after a successful onside kick. The future Hall of Fame signal-caller threw a 10-yard TD pass to wide receiver Ron Sellers with just 52 seconds to play to complete the comeback.

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