The 10 biggest what-ifs in Dallas Cowboys history

8. What if Danny White doesn’t fumble in the 1981 NFC Championship game?

Everyone remembers "The Catch." Joe Montana hit Dwigh Clark in the back of the end zone and the San Francisco 49ers were able to knock off the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas dynasty was essentially ended while a new one began for the Niners. But it almost didn't happen due to two plays that might have gone another way with later rules.

First was when Eric Wright tackled Drew Pearson, who had a ton of room in front of him. The play was legal at the time but later would have been called a horse-collar tackle (oddly enough, it was the Cowboys who made the rule a reality when Roy Williams broke Emmitt Smith's shoulder in his return to Texas).

The very next play also might have stood later. Dallas quarterback Danny White held up while attempting a pass and tried to tuck the ball back in. He ended up fumbling it away, giving the 49ers the chance to pull off the huge win.

This play was nearly identical to the "Tuck Rule" that allowed the New England Patriots and Tom Brady to hold off the Raiders in 2001. But for White and the Cowboys, they had no such reprieve.

But if they did, then the 49ers not only would have one fewer Lombardi Trophy, but Dallas could have ended up with another. And Danny White would also be seen in a much better light — with one play going a different way.