Matt Cordon
The Dallas Cowboys have had plenty of great performances by their famous receivers, including Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, Dez Bryant, Bob Hayes, and others.
Not all great receiving performances have involved the most famous receivers. This list focuses on ten good receiving performances that not everyone remembers.
Lance Rentzel had some big games during the late 1960s. None of his performances was bigger than his game against the Washington Redskins on November 19, 1967. He caught 13 passes for 223 yards with a touchdown in a 27-20 loss.
(Pictures is not from the same game.)
Marion Barber had some great rushing performances in the late 2000s in his role as a "closer."
Although he was not a bad receiver, he had few receiving performances worth noting.
The exception is his game against the Arizona Cardinals on October 12, 2008. He caught 11 passes for 128 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown reception that allowed the Cowboys to get back into the game.
Unfortunately, Dallas lost in overtime, 30-24.
Doug Cosbie (top left) and Tony Hill (top center) were part of a potent offense from the early to mid 1980s.
On September 15, 1985, the duo combined for 22 receptions and more than 300 yards.
Cosbie had 11 receptions for 159 yards. It was among four games in which he surpassed 100 receiving yards and was the most of any single game during his career.
Hill had one game in which he surpassed 200 yards (Nov. 12, 1979 vs. Philadelphia), but fewer people would remember his 1985 game against Detroit. He caught 11 passes for 181 yards with two touchdowns.
As with several games on this list, Dallas lost (26-21).
Most of Billy Howton's best career games came when he was a member of the Green Bay Packers during the 1950s.
But he had a few good games as a member of the Cowboys from 1960 to 1963.
The best was probably the season-opener against the Steelers on September 17, 1961. He gained 138 yards on 6 receptions, giving him his first 100-yard game since 1958.
His efforts helped the Cowboys to beat the Steelers, giving Dallas its first win as an NFL franchise.
Many NFL fans remember the 1993 Thanksgiving Day game between the Cowboys and Dolphins.
An unexpected snow storm caused the field at Texas Stadium to be covered with snow and ice. Players had great difficulty with traction throughout the game.
What most people don't remember about the game was Daryl Johnston's performance. He became something of a weapon, catching 11 passes for 75 yards.
Dallas lost the game thanks to a late gaffe by defensive tackle Leon Lett.
Ron Springs was a fullback for the Cowboys from 1979 to 1984. He had a few memorable plays but few not many truly great games.
His best game came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1983. The unbeaten Cowboys hosted the winless Buccaneers but struggled unexpectedly.
Springs had 11 receptions for 126 yards, with an 80-yard touchdown reception from Danny White.
Dallas won the game in overtime, 27-24.
Before Bob Hayes, the receiver with the biggest plays for the Cowboys in the 1960s was Frank Clarke.
His best game was against the Washington Redskins in 1962, catching 10 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns. It marked the first time that a Dallas receiver had more than 200 receiving yards in a game.
Dallas tied Washington in the game.
Most Dallas fans would prefer to forget the 1989 season, when the Cowboys went 1-15.
One of the better games that year came against the Phoenix Cardinals on November 12, 1989. Dallas fought all the way to the end but lost thanks to a late touchdown by Phoenix.
Dallas had a lead thanks to a 75-yard touchdown pass from Troy Aikman to James Dixon, who finished the game with 6 receptions for 203 yards.
Patrick Crayton was a solid slot receiver for Dallas during the mid to late 2000s.
His best game was against the St. Louis Rams on September 30, 2007, when he gained 184 yards on 7 receptions and 2 touchdowns in a 35-7 Dallas win.
It was one of only three games in which Crayton gained 100 or more receiving yards as a Cowboy.
Terrance Williams has demonstrated talent as a member of the Cowboys since 2013, but he often disappears from games.
He has had only two games with more than 100 receiving yards. One of those games came during the season finale in 2015 against the Washington Redskins.
In a 34-23 loss, Williams caught 8 passes for 173 yards.
