The catch that wasn't? Refs overturn Bryant catch, Cowboys lose to Packers

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A controversial call on a fourth-down pass to Dez Bryant had Cowboys fans fuming as Dallas lost in Green Bay, 26-21.

Dez Bryant made an acrobatic catch near the end zone on 4th and 2 that was initially ruled a catch.

The play was then challenged by the Packers and the officials said Bryant didn't make a football act while going to the ground. The play was overturned and Dallas never got the ball back.

The rule states: "If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete."

But Dallas immediately responded on its next drive and an unexpected touchdown to fullback Tyler Clutts.

A tackle from the Cowboys' Jeremy Mincey resulted in a second quarter fumble by Rodgers and a touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Terrance Williams.

But Green Bay was able to tack on a field goal late in the second quarter when Cowboys' kicker Dan Bailey missed a 50-year attempt. The Packers were able to get down the field quickly and put a field goal on the board as the clock expired in the first half.

Green Bay was driving in the third quarter to take the lead after a fumble by Dallas' DeMarco Murray when a costly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty killed the drive in the red zone. The Packers were forced to kick a field goal, which narrowed the lead to 14-13.

Murray redeemed himself on a later drive in the third when he punched in a 1-yard run for a touchdown as part of a 6-play, 80 yard drive to push the Dallas lead to 8.

Green Bay immediately responded with a Rodgers pass to Davante Adams for 46 yards on third down that made the game 21-20 late in the third quarter.

The Packers scored again early in the fourth quarter to take their first lead since the first quarter, but failed to convert a two-point conversion. The Richard Rodgers catch made it 26-21, Packers.

The Cowboys' first postseason trip to Green Bay since the 1967 Ice Bowl for the NFL championship was their first road defeat of the season after eight victories.

Christie travels to Green Bay

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took his orange sweater to Lambeau Field on Sunday to cheer his beloved Dallas Cowboys.

Christie exchanged a hug and handshake with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones during warmups about 45 minutes before kickoff for the playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. He wore a blue Cowboys scarf with a dark winter coat.

Jones has referred to Christie as his team's "mojo" because Dallas has won the last five games Christie has attended wearing the orange sweater for good luck. The Cowboys, 8-0 on the road this season, can advance to the NFC championship with a victory.

Christie, no surprise, picked the Cowboys to win -- 38-28 -- and was feeling mighty confident.

"Well, as confident as you can be being on the road and (facing) a team that's undefeated at home," Christie told The Associated Press. "But I feel pretty good. The team's played well, and it's going to be a good day."

Christie's office has said the governor would again sit in the owner's box with Jones.

Before he went upstairs, Christie posed for pictures on the Dallas sideline near the 35-yard line. He walked off the field and entered the Packers' tunnel behind Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy before heading to his seat.

Christie wasn't the only potential 2016 presidential candidate at Lambeau on Sunday.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker was also at the game. He was decked out in Packers gear, from a green jacket to a green wool knit cap.

Christie and Walker were trading friendly barbs on social media the past week. Christie said before the game he had only exchanged texts with Walker on Sunday, but hoped the two prominent Republican governors could get together.

Christie has faced ethical questions since his office disclosed that Jones had been paying for Christie's box seats and private jet flights. Christie's office has said the governor was paying his own way this time to Green Bay.

The governor's passion for the Cowboys also has drawn from outrage from fans in New Jersey of the Eagles, Giants and Jets fans. They're angered he isn't backing one the area's teams.

Football Sunday from Lambeau Field on FOX4 airs at 10:30 a.m., followed by the FOX NFL pre-game show at 11:00 a.m. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. on FOX 4. A wrap of the game and fan reaction will be part of FOX4 News at 5 and FOX4 News at 9. Sports Sunday will have a full recap at 10 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.