NFL game summary for 12/19/1976:
Los Angeles tied the score at 10-10 on Tom Dempsey's 24-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth period, but disdained the three points, accepting a running-into-the-kicker penalty that gave the Rams a first down on the Dallas three-yard line, and three plays later Lawrence McCutcheon scored the winning touchdown from the one. However, the Rams' defense had to withstand two Dallas threats in the final minutes. Twice the Rams thwarted Roger Staubach passing attempts to gain two yards for a first down from the Rams' 32 with three minutes left. Then, with 1:59 remaining, Cowboy Charlie Waters blocked his second Los Angeles punt of the game and Dallas took possession at the Rams' 17. On first down, Staubach connected with Butch Johnson over the goal line, but Johnson was able to keep only one foot in bounds. Two more Staubach passes fell incomplete. On fourth down Roger hit Billy Joe DuPree for a nine-yard gain to the Los Angeles eight, but short of a first down and the Rams took possession.
Los Angeles ran out the final 1:29 of the game which ended with Rams' punter Rusty Jackson permitting himself to be tackled in the end zone for a safety as time expired. The only fumble recovery of the game was by Rams' defensive end Fred Dryer, and it set up the winning touchdown drive. One play after Cowboy Benny Barnes made his second interception, Dryer fell on a fumble by Cowboy Drew Pearson at the Dallas 39. Ten plays later, McCutcheon scored.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Los Angeles Rams | OFFENSE | 180.6 (4) | 167.2 (9) | 347.8 (5) | 35 |
| DEFENSE | 111.7 (2) | 149.4 (14) | 261.1 (4) | 48 | |
 Dallas Cowboys | OFFENSE | 153.4 (13) | 195.5 (6) | 348.9 (4) | 29 |
| DEFENSE | 130.1 (6) | 136.4 (7) | 266.4 (7) | 28 |
Line: n/a
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams (11-3-1) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Dallas Cowboys (11-4-0) | 3 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 12 |
( 0- 3) DAL Efren Herrera 44 yard field goal ( 7- 3) LA Pat Haden 4 yard rush (Tom Dempsey kick) ( 7-10) DAL Scott Laidlaw 1 yard rush (Efren Herrera kick) (14-10) LA Lawrence McCutcheon 1 yard rush (Tom Dempsey kick) (14-12) DAL Safety, Rusty Jackson tackled in end zone by Jim Jensen
LA DAL
First Downs: 17 14
Rushes-yards: 49-120 28-85
Yards/rush: 2.4 3.0
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 10-21-152-3 15-37-150-3
Sacked-yards: 3-22 4-24
Net pass yards: 130 126
Net yards/pass: 5.4 3.1
Total net yards: 250 211
Total plays: 73 (67% run) 69 (40% run)
Yards/play: 3.4 3.1
Fumbles-lost: 0-0 3-1
Turnovers: 3 4
Penalties-yards: 8-94 6-34
Attendance: 62,436
Passing:LA: Pat Haden, 10 of 21 for 152 yards (3 int)
DAL: Roger Staubach, 15 of 37 for 150 yards (3 int)
Rushing:
LA: Lawrence McCutcheon, 21 for 58 yards and 1 TD; John Cappelletti, 19 for 54 yards; Pat Haden, 8 for 16 yards and 1 TD; Rusty Jackson, 1 for -8 yards
DAL: Preston Pearson, 13 for 43 yards; Robert Newhouse, 9 for 25 yards; Roger Staubach, 2 for 8 yards; Scott Laidlaw, 2 for 2 yards and 1 TD; Drew Pearson, 1 for 4 yards; Doug Dennison, 1 for 3 yards
Receiving:
LA: Harold Jackson, 6 for 116 yards; John Cappelletti, 2 for 15 yards; Bob Klein, 1 for 12 yards; Lawrence McCutcheon, 1 for 9 yards
DAL: Preston Pearson, 6 for 41 yards; Drew Pearson, 3 for 38 yards; Billy Joe DuPree, 3 for 34 yards; Robert Newhouse, 2 for 19 yards; Butch Johnson, 1 for 18 yards
Kick returns:
LA: Cullen Bryant, 2 for 45 yards; Tom Geredine, 1 for 26 yards
DAL: Butch Johnson, 2 for 49 yards
Punt returns:
LA: Cullen Bryant, 2 for 23 yards
DAL: Butch Johnson, 4 for 64 yards
Interceptions:
LA: Isiah Robertson, 1 for 15 yards; Dave Elmendorf, 1 for 5 yards; Monte Jackson, 1 for 0 yards
DAL: Benny Barnes, 2 for 0 yards; Charlie Waters, 1 for 9 yards
Punting:
LA: Rusty Jackson, 7 for 253 yards
DAL: Danny White, 6 for 232 yards
Field Goals:
DAL: Efren Herrera, 1/1