NFL game summary for 12/25/1971:
Four interceptions and a recovered fumble gave the Dallas Cowboys a 20-12 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in a game completed in fog on a snow-fringed field. The Cowboys moved into the NFC finals on an eight-game winning streak with an alert defense that capitalized on Minnesota's errors.
Jethro Pugh set up the first Dallas field goal by recovering a fumble and Chuck Howley's interception led to a second kick and a 6-3 halftime edge. Cliff Harris picked off a Bob Lee pass that resulted in a Duane Thomas touchdown in the third period and Lee Roy Jordan stole a Gary Cuozzo pass, ending a Viking threat early in the final quarter. Roger Staubach completed 10 of 14, including a nine-yard scoring pass to Bob Hayes.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 160.6 (3) | 199.0 (2) | 359.6 (1) | 35 |
| DEFENSE | 81.7 (2) | 166.0 (19) | 247.7 (3) | 51 | |
 | OFFENSE | 121.1 (17) | 118.2 (25) | 239.3 (23) | 30 |
| DEFENSE | 114.3 (6) | 129.0 (3) | 243.3 (2) | 49 |
Line: n/a
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys (12-3-0) | 3 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 20 |
| Minnesota Vikings (11-4-0) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 12 |
( 3- 0) DAL Mike Clark 26 yard field goal
( 3- 3) MIN Fred Cox 27 yard field goal
( 6- 3) DAL Mike Clark 44 yard field goal
(13- 3) DAL Duane Thomas 13 yard rush (Mike Clark kick)
(20- 3) DAL Bob Hayes 9 yard pass from Roger Staubach (Mike Clark kick)
(20- 5) MIN Safety, Roger Staubach tackled in end zone by Alan Page
(20-12) MIN Stu Voigt 6 yard pass from Gary Cuozzo (Fred Cox kick)
DAL MIN
First Downs: 10 17
Rushes-yards: 39-98 26-101
Yards/rush: 2.5 3.9
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 10-14-99-0 19-38-210-4
Sacked-yards: 2-14 0-0
Net pass yards: 85 210
Net yards/pass: 5.3 5.5
Total net yards: 183 311
Total plays: 55 (70% run) 64 (40% run)
Yards/play: 3.3 4.9
Fumbles-lost: 0-0 1-1
Turnovers: 0 5
Penalties-yards: 2-10 2-18
Attendance: 47,307
Passing:
DAL: Roger Staubach, 10 of 14 for 99 yards and 1 TD MIN: Gary Cuozzo, 12 of 22 for 124 yards and 1 TD (2 int); Bob Lee, 7 of 16 for 86 yards (2 int)
Rushing:
DAL: Duane Thomas, 21 for 66 yards and 1 TD; Calvin Hill, 14 for 28 yards; Roger Staubach, 2 for 2 yards; Walt Garrison, 2 for 2 yards MIN: Clint Jones, 15 for 52 yards; Dave Osborn, 6 for 13 yards; Bob Lee, 3 for 28 yards; Jim Lindsey, 1 for 6 yards; Bob Grim, 1 for 2 yards
Receiving:
DAL: Bob Hayes, 3 for 31 yards and 1 TD; Lance Alworth, 2 for 33 yards; Mike Ditka, 2 for 18 yards; Calvin Hill, 2 for 14 yards; Duane Thomas, 1 for 3 yards MIN: Gene Washington, 5 for 70 yards; Bob Grim, 4 for 74 yards; Stu Voigt, 4 for 46 yards and 1 TD; Oscar Reed, 4 for -3 yards; Jim Lindsey, 1 for 25 yards; Ed White, 1 for -2 yards
Kick returns:
DAL: Ike Thomas, 2 for 31 yards; Cliff Harris, 1 for 21 yards MIN: Clint Jones, 2 for 75 yards; Charlie West, 2 for 74 yards; Bobby Bryant, 1 for 22 yards; Bill Brown, 1 for 17 yards
Punt returns:
DAL: Charlie Waters, 2 for 37 yards MIN: Charlie West, 2 for 6 yards
Interceptions:
DAL: Cliff Harris, 1 for 30 yards; Chuck Howley, 1 for 26 yards; Herb Adderley, 1 for 8 yards; Lee Roy Jordan, 1 for 5 yards
Punting:
DAL: Ron Widby, 7 for 259 yards MIN: Bob Lee, 4 for 174 yards
Field Goals:
DAL: Mike Clark, 2/2 MIN: Fred Cox, 1/3
DAL: Roger Staubach, 10 of 14 for 99 yards and 1 TD MIN: Gary Cuozzo, 12 of 22 for 124 yards and 1 TD (2 int); Bob Lee, 7 of 16 for 86 yards (2 int)
Rushing:
DAL: Duane Thomas, 21 for 66 yards and 1 TD; Calvin Hill, 14 for 28 yards; Roger Staubach, 2 for 2 yards; Walt Garrison, 2 for 2 yards MIN: Clint Jones, 15 for 52 yards; Dave Osborn, 6 for 13 yards; Bob Lee, 3 for 28 yards; Jim Lindsey, 1 for 6 yards; Bob Grim, 1 for 2 yards
Receiving:
DAL: Bob Hayes, 3 for 31 yards and 1 TD; Lance Alworth, 2 for 33 yards; Mike Ditka, 2 for 18 yards; Calvin Hill, 2 for 14 yards; Duane Thomas, 1 for 3 yards MIN: Gene Washington, 5 for 70 yards; Bob Grim, 4 for 74 yards; Stu Voigt, 4 for 46 yards and 1 TD; Oscar Reed, 4 for -3 yards; Jim Lindsey, 1 for 25 yards; Ed White, 1 for -2 yards
Kick returns:
DAL: Ike Thomas, 2 for 31 yards; Cliff Harris, 1 for 21 yards MIN: Clint Jones, 2 for 75 yards; Charlie West, 2 for 74 yards; Bobby Bryant, 1 for 22 yards; Bill Brown, 1 for 17 yards
Punt returns:
DAL: Charlie Waters, 2 for 37 yards MIN: Charlie West, 2 for 6 yards
Interceptions:
DAL: Cliff Harris, 1 for 30 yards; Chuck Howley, 1 for 26 yards; Herb Adderley, 1 for 8 yards; Lee Roy Jordan, 1 for 5 yards
Punting:
DAL: Ron Widby, 7 for 259 yards MIN: Bob Lee, 4 for 174 yards
Field Goals:
DAL: Mike Clark, 2/2 MIN: Fred Cox, 1/3