Sometimes it takes a little luck in the NFL playoff race, and the Dallas Cowboys had plenty of it on their side Sunday during a 20-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Alameda Coliseum.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr lunged for the end zone with 31 seconds remaining for what likely would have been the game-winning touchdown, but he lost control and fumbled through the end zone for a touchback—clinching the win for the visitors.
Dallas was only ahead because Dak Prescott converted a 4th-and-1 on his own 39-yard line with a quarterback sneak so close to the final link of the chain that referee Gene Steratore had to use a piece of paper to make his ruling:
Dan Bailey hit the game-winning field goal seven plays later, and the Cowboys are now tied with the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks at 8-6 and just behind the 8-5 Atlanta Falcons—who play Monday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—for the final wild-card spot.