GREEN BAY, Wisc. – The Cowboys were hopeful the return of linebacker Rolando McClain could give them a better tackling presence this week against the Packers, who have some big-bodied running backs such as Eddie Lacy.
But it only occurred for one drive.
McClain, who missed most of last week's playoff win with a concussion, had to leave in the first quarter Sunday against the Packers with another head injury.
The linebacker was taken into the locker room midway through the first quarter and never returned to the game, playing just 10 snaps.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, McClain's replacement wasn't too healthy either. Rookie Anthony Hitchens missed most of practice this week with a high-ankle sprain but was forced into action.
Footing Issues
Kicker Dan Bailey isn't one for excuses and he certainly didn't go there Sunday.
But he was honest in saying the field conditions at Lambeau Field weren't his favorite and led to some footing issues throughout the game, especially on his 50-yard field goal attempt.
It definitely wasn't ideal, but it was definitely a factor in the game," Bailey said. "We did a good job coming out in pre-game and making the most of it. But I still should've gone out and made the kick."
The miss not only kept the Cowboys from taking a 10-point lead, but gave Green Bay great field position and enough time to drive for a field goal of their own, trimming the lead to 14-10 at the half.
Bailey ended up making just one of three field-goal attempts in the playoffs after hitting 25 of 29 tries in the regular season.
Quick Hits:
· Tyler Clutts scored his first NFL touchdown – regular season or postseason – with a one-yard scoring grab in the first quarter. It marked the first time a fullback has caught a touchdown pass since Chris Gronkowski caught one against Chicago (9/19/10) and it was the first postseason touchdown by a fullback since Daryl Johnston scored on a two-yard touchdown reception from Troy Aikman in the Divisional Playoff game at Carolina on January 5, 1997.
· DeMarcus Lawrence sacked Aaron Rodgers in the second quarter to mark his second consecutive postseason game with a sack. It marked the first time a Cowboy has had back-to-back games with sacks since Anthony Spencer had one against Philadelphia (1/9/10) and one the next week at Minnesota (1/17/10).
· DeMarco Murray's 123 rushing yards were the ninth-highest in team postseason history and was the first time a Cowboys rusher has gone over 100 yards since Felix Jones had 148 yards against Philadelphia (1/9/10).
· Murray upped his career postseason rushing yards to 198 and passed James Jones (84), Troy Aikman (87), Dan Reeves (91), Scott Laidlaw (101), Julius Jones (120), Sherman Williams (122), Doug Dennison (130), Preston Pearson (135) and Marion Barber (151) for 11th on the team's all-time postseason rushing yards list.
· It was Murray's second consecutive game with a rushing touchdown to mark the first time that's happened since Emmitt Smith had two scores at Pittsburgh (1/28/96) in Super Bowl XXX then had two in the Wild Card Game against Minnesota (12/28/96).
· Tony Romo completed 15-of-19 passes (78.9%) for 191 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a quarterback rating of 143.6 – the highest rating in Cowboys postseason history. Troy Aikman owns the next highest rating with a 140.7 mark on 1/31/1993.
· Terrance Williams caught a 38-yard touchdown in the second quarter to give him three this postseason to tie Preston Pearson (1975), Drew Pearson (1980) and Michael Irvin (1995) for the most receiving touchdowns during a single postseason in team history
Terrance Williams became the ninth player in team history to score touchdowns in consecutive playoff games, the first since Michael Irvin had a streak of three games from Jan. 15, 1995-Jan. 14, 1996, while tying the fourth-longest streak in postseason team history.
· Jason Witten led the team with six receptions for 71 yards, upping his postseason career receptions to 39 to pass Daryl Johnston (37) and tie Billy Joe DuPree (39) for eighth on the club's all-time postseason receptions list.
· Witten's 71 yards brought his postseason career receiving yardage total to 427 to surpassed Butch Johnson (394) and Tony Dorsett (403) for 11th on the club's all-time postseason receiving yards list
