On January 4, 1981, at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Tom Landry’s Cowboys played against the Falcons in an NFC Divisional playoff game. The Cowboys were underdogs and never led in the game – until, that is, the final minute. The Falcons had mostly controlled the action, taking a 10-0 lead after a 60-yard TD pass from Steve Bartkowski to Alfred Jenkins. Atlanta again led by 10 in the fourth quarter after a Tim Mazzetti field goal. But Cowboys quarterback Danny White led a comeback to remember: after dancing around and directing receivers, he threw a 14-yard TD pass to a leaping Cowboy, Drew Pearson; then, shortly after, with 42 seconds left, he perfectly lofted another touchdown pass to a streaking Pearson for a 23-yard score – and the Cowboys won 30-27. Two-thirds of Dallas’ points had come in the final quarter. White finished the game with 322 yards passing; Bartkowski had 320. The Cowboys lost the following week in the NFC Championship. ― NFL 100
Box Score: Football Reference
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