This post is part of the 50 Seasons in 50 Weeks Series.The Cowboys overcame all sorts of adversity just to reach Super Bowl V, which was played in Miami on January 17, 1971. The loss was still one of the most painful in team history.
[Note: I won't say I'm speaking from experience in terms of the pain. I was born 19 days later.]
Dallas took an early 6-0 lead on two Mike Clark field goals. A fluke touchdown play in the second quarter allowed Baltimore to tie the game. A pass from Johnny Unitas tipped off both a Dallas player and a Baltimore player (who tipped it last has been the subject of a 38-year debate) and landed in the hands of tight end John Mackey. Mackey's 75-yard touchdown was the longest in Super Bowl history for quite some time.
The Cowboys later took a 13-6 lead when Craig Morton hit Duane Thomas on a screen pass. Thomas scored from seven yards out.
Dallas held the lead until the fourth quarter, which was one of the most miserable in team history. With just over eight minutes remaining, Morton tried to hit Garrison, but the ball was tipped into the air. Safety Rick Volk intercepted the ball and returned it to the Dallas 3. Two plays later, the game was tied.
Neither team could move the ball until late in the game. Another Morton pass was tipped and intercepted, this time by linebacker Mike Curtis. The pick set up the game-winning field goal by rookie Jim O'Brien.
Here is a video clip of the field goal:
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