The 1981 NFC Championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys is etched in NFL history, primarily for the iconic play known simply as “The Catch.” For those who weren’t there, or for younger fans eager to understand the legend, revisiting this game is like stepping back into a crucible of football drama. I make it a point to watch this game at least annually – it’s that captivating.
The game began auspiciously for the 49ers. Dallas, after winning the coin toss and electing to receive, started their drive from their own 27-yard line. The vaunted 49ers defense, led by a young and hungry Dwaine Board who sacked Cowboys quarterback Danny White, forced a quick three-and-out. San Francisco took possession on their own 37.
Under the guidance of the offensive mastermind Bill Walsh and his meticulously scripted plays, Joe Montana orchestrated a swift and decisive 63-yard drive, culminating in a touchdown in just six plays! Montana connected with Freddie Solomon for an eight-yard touchdown pass. Ray Wersching’s extra point was good, and just 4 minutes and 19 seconds into the first quarter, the 49ers were on the board. For fans watching across the country, from places as far as Tampa, Florida, excitement was building. Perhaps some were even checking their broadcast schedules, maybe even looking for shows like Doctor Who later in the evening after the game, unaware of the gridiron drama about to unfold.
Dallas responded with a drive of their own. They marched 44 yards in nine plays, setting up a 44-yard field goal by Rafael Septien with 4:44 remaining in the first quarter.
49ers 7 – Cowboys 3
The ensuing 49ers possession served as a stark reminder that this would be no easy contest. On the third play from scrimmage, running back Bill Ring, a fan favorite, fumbled the ball, and Dallas recovered at the 49ers’ 29-yard line. Just two plays later, Danny White delivered a perfect strike to Tony Hill in tight coverage by Eric Wright for a 26-yard touchdown pass. The extra point gave Dallas the lead.
Cowboys 10 – 49ers 7 with 2:49 left in the first quarter.
The first quarter concluded with both teams exchanging punts. However, the 49ers offense sparked to life at the beginning of the second quarter. After gaining a first down, Montana showcased his agility, evading the towering Ed “Too Tall” Jones, and connected with Dwight Clark for a 38-yard gain, bringing the ball down to the Dallas 27. Facing 3rd-and-5, Montana attempted a deep pass to Mike Wilson, but it was intercepted by Everson Walls at the Dallas 2-yard line.
The 49ers defense stood tall, forcing Dallas to punt from their own 10-yard line. On the first play after the punt, Earl Cooper powered through the Dallas defense for an 11-yard gain. The crowd, both at Candlestick Park and in living rooms across America, roared its approval. Three plays later, Montana, under immense pressure from a Dallas all-out blitz and even with a defender clinging to his ankle, incredibly completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Dwight Clark in the end zone. The stadium erupted in jubilation!
Instead of detailing every play-by-play moment from this point, let’s focus on the pivotal plays, the controversies, and, of course, the legendary final drive. Following Montana’s miraculous touchdown pass to Clark, Danny White launched a deep pass down the right sideline intended for Drew Pearson. Ronnie Lott intercepted the pass at the 49ers’ 7-yard line and returned it to the 37. However, official Dean Look flagged Lott for pass interference, a call that remains debated to this day, placing the ball at the 49ers’ 12-yard line. Replays seemed to contradict the call, a sentiment echoed by CBS commentator and former Super Bowl-winning coach Hank Stram. Three plays after the controversial penalty, Tony Dorsett punched it in for a five-yard touchdown, marking the fourth lead change of the half.
The final two minutes of the first half were a whirlwind of action. Moments after the two-minute warning, Montana was violently sacked by Ed “Too Tall” Jones. It was a brutal hit, leaving many wondering how Montana managed to get back on his feet.
Jim Miller, the 49ers’ punter, punted the ball to midfield after the sack. Dallas returner James Jones muffed the punt, and Amos Lawrence recovered the ball for San Francisco on the Dallas 42-yard line. The 49ers were back in scoring territory! A defensive holding penalty against Dallas moved the ball to the 35, but another controversial call went against San Francisco. Dwight Clark was penalized 15 yards for an illegal crackback block, another call questioned by Stram on the broadcast.
Instead of 1st-and-5 at the Dallas 30, it was now 1st-and-20 at the Dallas 45. On the very next play, Dallas managed to knock the ball out of Montana’s hand before he could throw, and they recovered the fumble at the 49ers’ 48-yard line.
At halftime, despite outgaining the Cowboys 206 yards to 108, the 49ers trailed. San Francisco had been plagued by turnovers, giving the ball away three times to Dallas’s one. Those turnovers were proving costly.
Halftime Score: Dallas 17 – 49ers 14
Midway through the third quarter, the 49ers were driving, poised to take the lead. On 1st-and-10 at the Dallas 16-yard line, Montana threw a short pass over the middle intended for running back Lenvil Elliott. The pass was slightly high, bounced off Elliott’s hands, and was intercepted by Dallas defensive tackle Randy White at the Dallas 13-yard line. Frustration mounted for 49ers fans.
However, just two plays later, jubilation returned as 49ers linebacker Bobby Leopold intercepted a Dallas pass and returned it to the Dallas 13-yard line! This game was an emotional rollercoaster, building towards a climax that would become legendary.
After three running plays that gained nine yards, moving the ball inside the five-yard line, Coach Walsh opted to go for it on 4th down. Fans held their breath. A quarterback sneak gained two yards, but Montana was slow to get up after the play. The play was nullified anyway due to a Dallas offsides penalty. Given a second chance, fullback Johnny Davis powered up the middle behind Randy Cross for the 49ers touchdown.
49ers 21 – Cowboys 17
