GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A few thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys' 26-21 loss Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

What it means: The Cowboys thought they were headed to Seattle for the NFC Championship Game after Dez Bryant's goal-line catch, but after a replay review, it was overturned and they would not get the ball back. It was the seventh straight road playoff loss for the Cowboys and the first time they lost on the road all season.

While this season was an unexpected success, the Cowboys will lament several plays that went against them Sunday, including the replay reversal. And they simply could not stop Aaron Rodgers, who had 316 yards and three touchdown passes.

They finished the season with a 13-5 record and have not won two playoff games in the same season since 1995, their last Super Bowl appearance.

So close, so far: The difference between heading to Seattle and heading home was small, and the Cowboys will have to live with what could have been. Bryant's 31-yard catch at the Packers' goal line with 4:06 to play was overturned by referee Gene Steratore after it was challenged. Instead of getting a chance to score the go-ahead touchdown, the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs. Late in the third quarter, Davante Adams broke free for a 46-yard touchdown on third-and-15 to cut the Dallas lead to 21-20. At the end of the first half, Dan Bailey missed a 50-yard field and the Packers were able to answer with a field goal, trimming the Cowboys' lead to 14-10 at the break.

Game ball: If this is DeMarco Murray's final game for Dallas, he went out with a bang, despite a costly fumble in the third quarter. He finished with 123 yards on 25 carries and had a rushing touchdown in his seventh straight game. The fumble led to a Green Bay field goal, but Murray responded with "dirty runs" and big runs to keep the Cowboys in the fight.

Stock watch: For the second straight playoff game, Bryant was held in check. He caught three passes for 38 yards against the Packers after being held to just four catches for 48 yards against the Detroit Lions in the wild-card round. The Packers gave cornerbacks Sam Shields and Tramon Williams help with a safety over the top. They were not going to let Bryant beat them. He caught 11 passes for 153 yards when these teams played at AT&T Stadium last season

What's next: It's time to get ready for the offseason. While the season was an unquestioned success, the Cowboys will have many questions that need to be answered, including the futures of Jason Garrett, Bryant and Murray.