Crazy Dallas Cowboys let down by ‘ridiculous’ NFL insanity after storming into stadium

There were wild scenes in the NFL’s wild card round as the Dallas Cowboys were knocked out of the playoffs in comical fashion.

Dallas Cowboys stormed the stadium before the playoff game with the 49ers.

Who’d want to be a Dallas Cowboys fan?

The Cowboys were bundled out of the NFL playoffs on Monday after they lost to the San Francisco 49ers 23-17 in their wild card game that ended in pure insanity.

The 49ers, who squeezed into the playoffs with a nerve-jangling win over the Rams in Los Angeles last week, dug deep once again to prevail at the AT&T Stadium.

Watch Live NFL every Monday, Tuesday and Friday with ESPN on Kayo. 6 live games every week + every game of the Post-Season. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial >

Elijah Mitchell’s first quarter touchdown and three Robbie Gould field goals — two from over 50 yards — had helped San Francisco into a 16-7 halftime lead with Amari Cooper’s touchdown catch the only score for Dallas.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel then weaved over for a superb 26-yard rushing touchdown to break the game open for San Francisco at 23-7 heading into the fourth quarter.

Injuries to San Francisco defensive stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner gave Dallas a lifeline however, with Dak Prescott scoring a touchdown in a Cowboys rally to close the gap to 23-17.

But Dallas failed to score in either of two late possessions, and the game finished on a comical note when Prescott rushed up the middle of the field — rather than attempt a pass into the end zone — and ran out of time before managing to stop the clock.

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys came up just short against the 49ers. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Under NFL rules, the referee has to touch the ball before the next play can start but with only seven seconds left, the referee couldn’t sprint fast enough to ensure the Cowboys had one final play — and the game ended there and then in the most anticlimactic way possible.

“Of course that’s ridiculous for a game to end like that,” former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo said in commentary.

“Wow, I am livid if I’m a Cowboys fan.”

“It was risky. They had time. Dak’s supposed to go, but you’re not supposed to go past 10, 12 yards. Once you get into that 13/14 (yard territory) the clocks runs and gets away from you.”

Diehard Dallas supporters were extremely excited for the game, sparking crazy scenes as screaming fans rushed through the gates of the stadium before kick off.

Fans are just a bit excited for Cowboys-49ers 😳

(via @JoeJHoyt) pic.twitter.com/vLLj2qkcqg

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 16, 2022

But they weren’t so enthusiastic after the game, with some fans in tears. Footage taken in the stands showed fans throwing rubbish and water bottles at Cowboys players as they exited the stadium.

Dallas’ DeMarcus Lawrence casually deflected a flying water bottle as he made his way down the tunnel.

Cowboys fans are RIPPING trash at their own players pic.twitter.com/Hw1ElvEvxv

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 17, 2022

The loss has sparked calls for Dallas coach Mike McCarthy to be sacked. He has not led a team to a win in the NFL playoffs since 2017 despite steering the Cowboys to strong regular seasons.

The 49ers will take on the Green Bay Packers in the divisional weekend.

In the other wild card game, Tom Brady and defending NFL champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers delivered a clinical performance to romp past the Philadelphia Eagles 31-15 at the Raymond James Stadium.

Brady threw for 271 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions, making 29 completions from 37 attempts.

Originally published as Crazy Dallas Cowboys let down by ‘ridiculous’ NFL insanity after storming into stadium