49ers vs. Cowboys: 10 biggest moments in most storied NFL rivalry

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Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys, SF 49ers

Quarterback Roger Staubach #12 of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass under pressure by defensive end Cedrick Hardman of the San Francisco 49ers in the 1972 NFC Championship Game (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Roger Staubach breaks 49ers fans’ hearts

It’s time to go back to the 1970s to a moment most 49ers fans, at least those who were able to witness it, would probably like to forget.

In December of 1972, with already two seasons in the belt where Dallas eliminated the Niners in the playoffs, San Francisco was finally looking to get over the hump and had a commanding 28-13 lead behind John Brodie going into the fourth quarter.

Tom Landry was completely dissatisfied with his starting quarterback, Craig Morton, so much to the fact that he decided to bench him in the second half in favor of the backup, quarterback Roger Staubach.

What did Staubach do? Nothing short of engineering a 17-point fourth quarter that stumped the 49ers, leading to a shocking 30-28 victory for the Cowboys and sending the Niners team home.

Again.

Even though Dallas would lose in the NFC Championship game to the Washington Redskins a week later, this third playoff loss in a row to the Cowboys goes down as the worst postseason defeat in San Francisco history.