[2] That game was not without its own controversy because of a pass interference flag that was called on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens when he seemingly interfered with Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew.

[5] The Green Bay Packers also went 12–4 and entered the playoffs as the second seed and a first-round bye after clinching the NFC North division.

The Cowboys responded with their own long drive, going 62 yards in 12 plays capped off by a 1-yard scoring pass from Tony Romo to fullback Tyler Clutts.

The play before the score, Romo threw incomplete, but a pass interference penalty on Tramon Williams brought the ball to the 1-yard line.

In the ensuing drive, which brought the game into the second quarter, the Packers drove to the 27-yard line, but Rodgers fumbled the ball and the Cowboys recovered.

The Cowboys drove 64 yards in the 5 plays, ending in a 38-yard touchdown pass from Romo to Terrance Williams to give Dallas a 14–7 lead.

After getting stopped on third down with 1 yard to go, the Cowboys Dan Bailey attempted a 50-yard field goal, which was blocked by Datone Jones.

Green Bay responded with its own long scoring drive; after a holding penalty on the kick-off return, the Packers started at their own 10-yard line.

However, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy threw his challenge flag, arguing that the ball hit the ground before Bryant completed the process of a legal catch.

[11] After a review by Gene Steratore and the other officials, it was determined that Bryant did not properly secure the ball before it hit the ground, thus overturning the call and ruling the pass incomplete.

Post-game analysis focused on whether Bryant secured the catch and made a football move by diving towards the end zone before bobbling the ball.

[18] Fox Sports analyst Mike Pereira provided his insights, saying, "I don't agree he made a football move, certainly not in the context of the rule.

[19] The NFL's director of officiating, Dean Blandino, agreed with this takeaway, stating "By rule he must hold onto it throughout entire process of contacting the ground.

[21] Cowboys fans watching the game, angry at the call, demonstrated their frustration by starting the Twitter hashtag #DezCaughtIt.

[26] Although the play and the game itself did become part of the Cowboys–Packers rivalry, its impact was primarily felt in the realm of the definition of a catch and future changes to NFL rules.

[27] In 2015, the rule for a completed catch was officially changed to state as follows: "A player is considered to be going to the ground if he does not remain upright long enough to demonstrate that he is clearly a runner.

Dean Blandino discussed the new rule, saying, "For years the requirement for a catch is control, both feet and after that the receiver had to have the ball long enough to perform a [football] act.

Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported, per Giants owner John Mara, that the NFL competition committee "appears to have unanimous agreement that controversial catch rulings involving Dez Bryant and Calvin Johnson should have been ruled complete" and was working to "relax the 'going to the ground' requirement".

[32][33] The NFL was hopeful of the new rule, saying "it will eradicate some of the frustration fans, coaches and players had with apparent catches – like Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant's against Green Bay in the 2014 playoffs, or Steelers tight end Jesse James' reversed TD against the Patriots this past season – being deemed incomplete".