27 - 28

(Jan 10, 1982 · Week 19)

As the clock waned in the 1981 NFC Championship Game between San Francisco and Dallas, the 49ers found themselves down by six with about a minute left on the clock, facing a third-and-three from the six-yard line. What would follow would become one of the most iconic plays in the history of football. Quarterback Joe Montana dropped back between the split back behind him, rolling out to the right as the play called for him to do. But when his first option was unavailable, Montana maintained his composure, pump-faking to get the oncoming Cowboys pass rush to jump, and then he sailed a pass over the head of the defense towards the back of the end zone. Star receiver Dwight Clark leaped up as high as he could, rising above the defenders in front of him, and pulled in the pass with his fingertips before managing to get both feet in bounds for the score. 'The Catch', as it has come to be known, tied the game, and the ensuing extra point gave the 49ers the lead. That lead would hold, of course, as San Francisco beat Dallas, 28-27, in this historic matchup on Jan. 10, 1982.

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