NFC Divisional Playoff - "Duel in Dixie"
NFC Divisional Playoff - "Duel in Dixie"
1980 - Cowboys vs. Falcons

NFC Divisional Playoff - "Duel in Dixie"

"We thought that was it." - Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
by Evander Holyfield

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.

Evander Holyfield
Evander
Holyfield
Evander Holyfield, a retired professional boxer known as “The Real Deal,” is a former heavyweight champion. As a child in Atlanta, he became a Falcons fan and a popcorn vendor at their home games. Many years later, as a celebrity, he was invited to Falcons training camp, where he delivered an inspirational talk.
Profession:
athlete
Place of Birth:
Atmore, AL
Preferred Team:
Atlanta Falcons