The NFL is a storied league with plenty of history and dynasties, huge upsets, and thrilling victories. But, if we changed NFL history, how would it affect the league as we know it? Here’s the situation. 4th and 1, The Cowboys are down 21-26, the ball is thrown to Dez Bryant, who seems to catch the ball in the air. However, he decides to reach his arm out and try to score a touchdown. When doing this, the ball pops out of his hand for a split second and touches the ground. After review, it is called incomplete. The Packers now have control of the game, and the Cowboys lose 26-21. This loss was heartbreaking for the Cowboys, but what would happen if Dez didn’t reach for the goal line?
So, this happened in 2014, where the Patriots won the Super Bowl, and the Seahawks lost it. The Cowboys were 12-4, had won their Wild Card matchup against the Detroit Lions and were facing the Green Bay Packers. At the time, there was a rule where the wide receiver had to maintain possession of the ball all the way to the ground (this rule was later diminished). When the play happened, there was about 4 and a half minutes left in the 4th quarter. If Dez just focuses on having possession all the way to the ground, and not trying to score immediately, the Cowboys would have the ball at the Packers 1 yard line. This would set up an easy touchdown run from DeMarco Murray, who was having the best year of his career, running for 1845 yards and 13 touchdowns. Now this wouldn’t be a cakewalk. The Cowboy’s defense wasn’t phenomenal, and Aaron Rodgers could very much drive down the field and score a touchdown. However, for the purpose of this article, we are going to assume that the Cowboys stop the Packers and win the game.
Then the Cowboys would go into Seattle in the NFC Championship game against the Seahawks, a team that Dallas had beaten earlier in the season. The Seahawks were the defending champs and would go on to lose in the Super Bowl off the infamous Malcolm Butler interception play. Like I said, earlier in the season, the Cowboys went into Seattle and won 30-23, which could’ve happened again had Dallas gotten that far. Anyway, say they go into Seattle. Was this Seattle team a different team than they were earlier in the season? Actually, yes! But they lost Percy Harvin to a trade to the New York Jets so arguably, this Seattle team was worse than they were earlier in the season. Which in turn, means that the Cowboys would have a good shot at winning this game. Let’s say they do, and they move on to play in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
The Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl, that’s something crazy. Anyway, they would play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl for the first time in 18 years at the time. Now, keep in mind, the Patriots had an amazing roster, not to mention the greatest player to ever play, Tom Brady. However, I do think the Cowboys would have a good shot at winning this game. They had a really solid Tony Romo, a prime DeMarco Murray, a prime Dez Bryant, and a solid Jason Witten. They also had rookie Zack Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence. They had playmakers on both sides of the ball. So, this game could be a really entertaining one, and the Cowboys could potentially win it. For our review, I’m going to assume they win it.
So, let’s look at the potential changes. Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, DeMarco Murray, and Tony Romo would all retire with a Super Bowl ring (something none of them have). This would add to Tony Romo’s hall-of-fame resume, as well as Dez Bryant’s. Also, instead of Dez’s catch causing pain and suffering for the Cowboy’s fanbase, it is looked upon as a heroic moment, solidifying Dez as a Cowboy’s franchise favorite. Even though all of this is awesome, it’s hard to believe that this has a long-lasting effect on how each player’s career plays out. Tony Romo would still break his collarbone, Dak would still become the starter, and Tony would retire and become a sports broadcaster. So other than winning another ring and helping some players make it to the Hall of Fame, all this “what if?” would do is get Stephen A. Smith out of a job.
Well, that’s what would happen. Now of course they are so many different possibilities. Do they beat the Seahawks? Do they beat the Patriots? Heck, do they even stop the Packers? I only explored one of them. But all I know is this “catch” had a lasting impact on the game of football (they changed the rule years later and declared that Dez did in fact catch it), and a huge effect on the Cowboys fanbase.
