Ranking Dallas Cowboys' worst playoff losses of all-time

Dallas Cowboys' most brutal playoff losses

Here are the Dallas Cowboys' worst losses ever in the NFL Playoffs.

#3 - 2007 NFL Divisional Playoffs vs. New York Giants

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana

The Cowboys matched a franchise record with 13 wins in the 2007 NFL season. They earned the top seed in the NFC Playoffs, and were considered the best Cowboys team overall during the Tony Romo era. They were heavily favored to win the game, but were instead upset by Eli Manning and the New York Giants, their division rivals. Romo threw a late interception that ended the game.

The biggest controversy surrounding this upsetting defeat was what happened leading up to the game. The Cowboys earned a first-round bye to be the one seed. Rather than getting in extra practice, Tony Romo, his girlfriend Jessica Simpson, and other Cowboys players took a vacation to Cabo San Lucas. It was labeled a distraction and many believe it contributed to the defeat.

#2 - 1981 NFC Championship Game vs. San Francisco 49ers

Joe Montana inflicted a painful playoff on the Dallas Cowboys

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys with one of the most famous plays of all time. It will forever be known as "The Catch" in NFL history. Joe Montana completed a game-winning touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to Dwight Clark, despite excellent defensive pressure and coverage by the Cowboys.

Joe Montana would go on to win four Super Bowls following that famous game while establishing himself as one of the very best quarterbacks in NFL history. Many believe that this single moment was a catalyst for the 49ers to become a dominant NFL dynasty in the 1980s from the previous Cowboys dynasty.

#1 - 2006 NFL Wild Card Playoffs vs. Seattle Seahawks

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo

At the top of the list for the worst losses in Cowboys playoff history is the result of a rare and massive mistake on routine play. The Cowboys trailed the Seattle Seahawks by just one point. Tony Romo put together a drive to set up a game-winning chip shot field goal for the Cowboys. They lined up for the kick and then disaster struck.

Romo, who was also the holder for kicking attempts, fumbled the snap and was unable to place it down for the kicker. Romo picked up his own fumble but was tackled short of the endzone. The fundamental error eliminated the Dallas Cowboys from the 2006 NFL Playoffs.