Dallas Cowboys (1960-Present)

Historical Moments:
1960: Clint Murchison, Jr., and Bedford Wynne were awarded an expansion franchise in the NFL at the annual league meeting in Miami Beach. The Cowboys were to play as a "swing" team, playing every other team one time during the first season, although listed in the Western Division standings. On September 24th the Cowboys host the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Cotton Bowl in their first official game. The Cowboys held the lead into the 4th Quarter but watched helpless as QB Bobby Lane led the Steelers to a 35-24 come from behind win. The Cowboys would go to lose their first 10 games before earning a tie with Giants in New York, in the next to last game of the season. The Cowboys would go on to lose their final game of the season to close out their inaugural season winless at 0-11-1.

1961: Now firmly in the Eastern Division, the Cowboys started their 2nd season at the Cotton Bowl on September 17th still seeking their first win in franchise history, playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thanks to PK Allan Green's 27-yard FG, the Cowboys won 27-24 win, to start the season 1-0. The Cowboys would go on to win 3 of their first 4 games, beating the expansion Minnesota Vikings twice. However, once Dallas faced the rest of the league it was back to reality as they finished with a 4-9-1 record.

1962: The Cowboys began to show some promise in year 3, as their offense scored the 2nd most points in the league at 398, on the way to a 4-3-1 start. However, the defense allowed the 2nd most points in the league, and the Cowboys lost 5 of their last 6 to finish with a 5-8-1 record.

1963: Picked by Sports Illustrated to win the Eastern Division the Cowboys get off to a terrible start losing their first 4, and 6 of their first 7. Just as the Cowboys started to play better football the city of Dallas was thrown into darkness as President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in a motorcade, the Cowboys would go on to lose 3 in a row before winning their final game of the season in St. Louis against the Cardinals to finish with a 4-10 record.

1964: The draft was to the stage for the future, as the Cowboys selected DB Mel Renfro in the 2nd round and QB Roger Staubach in the 10th. Despite Staubach winning the 1963 Heisman Trophy while at the US Naval Academy, his selection was a gamble, as he had 4 years to serve in the Navy before he could ever report to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys would struggle again, finishing with a 5-8-1 record. However, despite calls for his fir9g coach Tom Landry is given an unprecedented 10-year contract extension.

1965: The Cowboys get off to a promising start winning their first 2 games both against division rivals. The good start would not last as the Cowboys inconsistent play reared its ugly head again during 5 consecutive losses. However, the team would rebound to end the season on a strong note winning 5 of their last 7 games to finish with a 7-7 record.

1966: President and GM Tex Schramm is heavily involved in the negotiations as the AFL and NFL agree to a merger setting up a season ending Championship Game. The Cowboys looked like a candidate for that game from the start of the season as they won their first 4 games in blowout fashion. After a rough 4 game stretch in which the team went 1-2-1, the Cowboys pulled out a 1-point victory in Washington over the Redskins to get back on track. A week later the Cowboys set a record by sacking Steelers QBs 12 times in Pittsburgh to improve to 6-2-1. Four days later a tradition would be born as the Cowboys hosted the Cleveland Browns in the first Thanksgiving game in Dallas. The game would end up being a key game as a 26-14 win put the Cowboys in the driver's seat for the Eastern Division Championship, as they went on to claim their first title with a solid 10-3-1 record. In the NFL Championship Game the Cowboys hosted the Green Bay Packers at the Cotton Bowl in front of 75,504 fans. The Packers would prove to be the better team that day, but the Cowboys did not go down without a fight, as they gave the Packers all they could handle before a Don Meredith pass was intercepted in the endzone with 28 seconds left in a 34-27 loss.

1967: Despite losing 3 of their final 5 games the Cowboys cruise to a Division Championship in the newly formed Capitol Division, by posting a solid 9-5 record. In the Eastern Conference Championship the Cowboys slaughtered the Cleveland Browns 52-14 for their first ever playoff win, earning them a trip to the NFL Championship Game in Green Bay for a rematch with the Packers. The game would take on legendary status as win chill temperatures dipped to 52 degrees below zero, in what would be come instantly known as "The Ice Bowl," Despite the frigid weather the Cowboys took advantage of Packers turnovers to hold a 17-14 lead late in the 4th Quarter. However, the Packers would drive down the field and would break the Cowboy hearts when Bart Starr plunged over the goal line with 16 seconds left to pull out a 21-17 win.

1968: The Cowboys jump out of the gate with 6 straight wins, never looking back as they capture the Capitol Division with a 12-2 record, as the Cowboys scored a league high 431 points while the "Doomsday Defense" allowed only 186. However, the Cowboys season would end with a disappointing 31-20 loss in Cleveland to the Browns in the Eastern Conference Championship.

1969: With original Cowboy Don Meredith retiring Craig Morton earns the starting job at Quarterback, as the Cowboys roll to the Capitol Division Championship with an 11-2-1 record, as Rookie RB Calvin Hill captures the Rookie of the Year with 942 yards rushing. However, once again the Cowboys season would end in disappointment as the Cowboys are crushed at the Cotton Bowl 38-14 by the Cleveland Browns in the Eastern Conference Championship.

1970: On November 16th the Cowboys suffer a humiliating 38-0 home loss on Monday Night to the St. Louis Cardinals to fall to 5-4 as their hopes for a return trip to the playoffs look bleak. However, the loss would prove to be a turning point as the Cowboys would win their final 5 games to capture the NFC East with a 10-4 record. In the Divisional Round the Cowboys would host the Detroit Lions in the lowest scoring playoff game in NFL history, as Doomsday shutout the Lions, and picked up 2 points in the Cowboys 5-0 win, which was the lowest scoring playoff game in NFL history. In the NFC Championship Game the Cowboys finally reached the Super Bowl by defeating the 49ers 170-10 in San Francisco.

Super Bowl V: Finally playing in the Super Bowl the Cowboys faced the Baltimore Colts in Miami with the Lombardi Trophy on the line. In an ugly game marred by turnovers, the Cowboys led the Colts 13-6 midway through the 4th quarter. However, two Craig Morton interceptions led to 10 points including Jim O'Brien's game winning FG that gave the Colts a 16-13 win in a game better known as the Blunder Bowl. Despite the loss LB Chuck Howley was named the game's MVP.

1971: On October 24th the Cowboys new state of the art stadium finally opens as the Cowboys slaughter the New England Patriots 44-21 in the first ever game at Texas Stadium. However, the Cowboys struggled early sitting at 4-3, as Craig Morton and Roger Staubach alternated between plays at Quarterback. On November 7th the Cowboys finally gave Staubach the job fulltime and the Cowboys never looked back winning their final 7 games to win the NFC East with an 11-3 record. In the Divisional Playoff the Cowboys would defeat the Minnesota Vikings 20-12 to earn a NFC Championship rematch with the San Francisco 49ers. In the Championship Game Doomsday carried the Cowboys to their 2nd straight Super Bowl by crushing the 49ers in a 14-3 victory.

Super Bowl VI: Playing in New Orleans the Cowboys faced the Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl, as the Cowboys tried to erase their reputation of losing the big game. The Cowboys would jump out to a 10-3 halftime, as Doomsday shut down the Dolphins offense all day. The Cowboys would go on to shut out the Dolphins in the 2nd half finally becoming World Champions with a 24-3 super triumph, as QB Roger Staubach earned MVP honors.

1972: With QB Roger Staubach lost to a shoulder injury the Cowboys don't miss a beat sitting at 10-3 with a chance for their 7 straight Division Championship with a win. However, the Cowboys would be stunned at Texas Stadium by the New York Giants 30-28 ending their stranglehold on the NFC East. However, at 10-4 the Cowboys still made the playoffs by earning the Wild Card berth. In the Divisional Round at San Francisco the Cowboys trailed the 49ers 28-16 in the 3rd Quarter when Roger Staubach replaced Craig Morton under center. Staubach would spark to 4th Quarter scoring drives as the Cowboys came from behind to win 30-28. However, the Cowboys season would end a week later in Washington in a 26-3 Championship Game loss to the Redskins.

1973: After a 4-3 start the Cowboys win 6 of their last 7 games to reclaim supremacy in the NFC East with a solid 10-4 record. In the Divisional Playoffs the Cowboys slaughtered the Los Angeles Rams 27-16 at Texas Stadium to earn their 4 straight Championship Game Appearance. However, not even the home crowd at Texas Stadium could help the Cowboys as they fell to the Minnesota Vikings 27-10 with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

1974: The Cowboys stumbled and tripped out of the gate losing 4 straight after winning their season opener to sit at 1-4, as their playoff hopes were all but dashed. The Cowboys would go on to win 7 of their final 9 games to finish with a 8-6 record, but it was not good enough, as the Cowboys run of 8 straight seasons in the playoffs came to an end. The Highlight of the season came on Thanksgiving when backup QB Clint Longley led the Cowboys in a dramatic comeback win over the Washington Redskins.

1975: The season did not begin with allot of optimism, as DT Bob Lilly, CB Cornell Green, and RB Walt Garrison retired, while RB Calvin Hill left for the rival WFL. However, the draft was a boom, as they drafted 12 players that made immediate contributions. The Cowboys won their first 4 games before hitting a mid-season slump by losing 3 of 4. However, the Cowboys quickly rebounded to win 5 of the last 6 to finish with a 10-4 record. Although their record was not good enough to win the division it would earn them a berth in the playoffs as a Wild Card. In the Divisional Playoffs at Minnesota the Cowboys hopes were fading as time slipped away in game they trailed 14-10 to the Vikings in the waning seconds of the game. With 24 seconds left QB Roger Staubach threw up a prayer from midfield, and the prayer was answered as WR Drew Person fought off a Vikings defender to catch the ball in the endzone, giving the Cowboys a miraculous 17-14 win. The Cowboys would use the "Hail Mary" as a springboard, going on to blowout the Rams 37-7 in Los Angeles to advance to Super Bowl X.

Super Bowl X: In the 10th Super Bowl the Cowboys were matched up against the Pittsburgh Steelers who were seeking their 2nd Lombardi Trophy in Miami. The game was close through out as the Cowboys held a 10-7 lead entering the 4th Quarter. However the game turned when Punter Mitch Hoopes's punt was blocked through the end zone. The Steelers would score on their next 3 possessions, caped by Lynn Swann's 64-yard TD reception. However the Cowboys would not go down without a fight, first after Roger Staubach hit Percy Howard with a 34 Yard TD pass. The Cowboys quickly got the ball back and had 1:22 left to pull out another miracle. However, this time Staubach Hail Mary was intercepted, as the Cowboys lost 21-17.

1976: The Cowboys jump out to a 5-0 start on the way to reclaiming the crown in the NFC East with an 11-3 record. However, the Cowboys lack of a running game would catch up with them in the Divisional Playoffs, as they were stunned at Texas Stadium by the Los Angeles Rams 14-12. Following the season the Cowboys would deal several draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks to move up in the draft to select RB Tony Dorsett, who had just won the Heisman Trophy.

1977: With Offensive Rookie of the Year Tony Dorsett providing the needed running support, the Cowboys could not be denied winning their first 8 games, on the way to dominating the NFC with a 12-2 record. In the playoffs the Cowboys continued to roll destroying the Chicago Bears 37-7 in the Divisional Playoffs. In the NFC Championship the Cowboys would also win easily beating the Minnesota Viking 23-6 at Texas Stadium to earn a trip to their 4th Super Bowl, establishing a new NFL record.

Super Bowl XII: In the first Super Bowl played in a dome the Cowboys faced the upstart Denver Broncos led by former Cowboys QB Craig Morton in New Orleans. Once again the Cowboys were the dominant force jumping out to a 13-0 lead at halftime. After the Broncos got on the scoreboard with a FG, the Cowboys would get a stranglehold on the game when Roger Staubach found Butch Johnson for a 45-yard TD pass. The Broncos would answer it with a TD of their own, but the Cowboys would shut Denver down the rest of the way scoring a 4th Quarter TD to complete a 27-10 rout. Defensive stalwarts Randy White, and Harvey Martin would share game MVP honors.

1978: Through the first 10 games the Cowboys struggled with inconstancy losing 4 games, but keeping control of 1st Place in the NFC East. However, in their final 6 games the Cowboys finally played the dominant football they showcased the year before winning all 6 games, and 5 of them by 18 points or more. In the Divisional Playoffs the Cowboys got a little scare when they trailed the Atlanta Falcons at halftime. However they would rally and pull out a 27-20 win to advance to their 7th NFC Championship Game in 9 years. In the game the Cowboys would avenge an early season loss by shutting out the Rams 28-0 in Los Angeles to earn a trip to their 5th Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XIII: Three years after losing Super Bowl X, the Cowboys faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in Miami in the first ever Super Bowl rematch. The game went back and forth n the first half before the Steelers scored a late TD to take a 21-14 lead into halftime. After the Cowboys could only muster a FG in the 3rd Quarter, the Steelers grabbed control of the game in the 4th Quarter scoring two touchdowns as Cowboys TE Jackie Smith dropped a sure TD in the endzone. However, despite trailing 35-17 the defending Champions would not go down without a fight scoring 2 TDs in 2 minutes to get within 4 points at 35-31. However, needing to recover an on-side-kick with 22 seconds left the Cowboys hopes died as the Steelers laid on the ball.

1979: The Cowboys would jump out to a 7-1 start and appeared to be cruising for another NFC East Championship. However, a mid season slump that saw them drop 4 out of 5 games, and out of first in the East. However, America's Team would rebound to win their next 2 against division opponents to clinch a playoff spot. At 10-5 the Cowboys went into the final week of the season needing a win to capture the NFC East title. However, the Cowboys trailed the hated Washington Redskins late 34-21 at Texas Stadium. However QB Roger Staubach had one last miracle leading two TD drives to win the East with a dramatic 35-34 win. In the Divisional Playoffs at Texas Stadium Staubach was magical again leading the Cowboys back from a 14-5 deficit to take a 19-14 lead over the Los Angeles Rams. However, the Cowboys could not hold the lead as the Rams answered back to win the game 21-19. It would mark the end of an era as after the season Staubach would announce his retirement.

1980: With the retirement of Roger Staubach not much was expected for the Cowboys, as even Coach Tom Landry felt he had an 8-8 team at best. However, QB Danny White would prove to be a worthy replacement, passing for 3,287 yards, as the Cowboys finished the season with an impressive 12-4 record. However, a costly midseason loss to the New York Giants forced them to settle for a Wild Card berth after losing the division via tiebreaker. In the Wild Card Game the Cowboys got revenge from the 1979 season ending loss by beating the Los Angeles Rams 34-13 at Texas Stadium as Coach Landry earned his 200th career victory. The following week staged a 4th Quarter comeback to beat the Falcons 30-27 in Atlanta to earn a trip to the NFC Championship in Philadelphia. Facing the Eagles the Cowboys found themselves decked out in there dreaded blue uniforms, and would fall to their division rivals 20-7.

1981: The Cowboys jump out to a 4-0 start before losing back-to-back games on the road. The 2nd of which, came in San Francisco as the 49ers destroyed the Cowboys 45-14. That loss would serve as inspiration as the Cowboys looked to avenge it in the postseason. The Cowboys would go on to recapture the NFC East with a 12-4 record. In the Divisional Playoffs the Cowboys destroyed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-0 before a frenzied Texas Stadium earning a rematch with 49ers in the San Francisco with the NF Championship on the line. Early on it was clear, that the Cowboys were not going to be blown out again. The game went back and forth as the Cowboys held a 27-21 lead late in the 4th Quarter. However, QB Joe Montana marched the 49ers up the field and into Cowboys territory with time winding down. With less than a minute left Montana was flushed out of the pocket as he desperately tried to throw the ball out the back of the endzone. However, fate and luck were against the Cowboys that day as WR Dwight Clark made an unbelievable catch to steal the game away from the Cowboys 28-27.

1982: The Cowboys would open the season with a loss for the first time in 18 years as the fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-28 at Texas Stadium. The Cowboys would bounce back to win their next game to sit at 1-1 when a 2-month players strike canceled the next 7 games. When the players returned the Cowboys would 5 in a row to sew up a playoff berth. However, losses in their final 2 games cost them the top seed as they ended the season with a 6-3 record. In the 1st Round the Cowboys easily beat the overmatch Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-17. From there the Cowboys moved on to get revenge for the Ice Bowl, beating the Green Bay Packers 37-26 in Texas Stadium. The win set up an NFC Championship showdown with Redskins in Washington. However, for the 3rd year in a row the Cowboys season would end one step away from the Super Bowl as the Redskins won the game 31-17, after knocking QB Danny White out of the game with a concussion.

1983: The Cowboys jumped out of the gates by winning their winning their first 7 games, and sat at 12-2 entering a key game with the Washington Redskins with NFC East on the line at Texas Stadium. The game was never even close as the Cowboys fell 31-10, all but ending their hopes of winning the division. A week later the Cowboys were blown out again and entered the playoffs with a 12-4 record, but playing their worst football of the season. The Cowboys losing trend would continue into the Wild Card Game when the Cowboys lost to the Los Angeles Rams 24-17 at home.

1984: The Cowboys got off to another good start winning 4 of their first 5 games. However, inconstancy and age would catch up with them as they lost 4 out of 7. The Cowboys would rebound to win their next 2 and sat in the driver's eat for the playoffs at 9-5. However by losing their final 2 games the Cowboys fell to 9-7, and missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, and just the 2nd time since 1966.

1985: The Cowboys jump out of the gate quickly again winning 5 of their first 6 games, to gain control of the top spot in the NFC East. Although the Cowboys alternated wins and losses in the final 10 games the Cowboys 10-6 record was good enough to capture the Division Title. However, in the Divisional Playoff the Cowboys weaknesses would be exposed in a 20-0 loss to the Rams in Los Angeles.

1986: The Cowboys got off to another good start winning 6 of their first 8 games, as they appeared to be in the thick of three-team race for the top spot in the NFC East. However, in a key game at the Meadowlands the Cowboys decked out in blue would fall to the Giants 17-14, but what was more costly was that QB Danny White suffered a season ending hand injury. With Back up Steve Pelluer holding the reins the Cowboys would only win 1 more game, and finished the season with a 7-9 record, ending a string of 20 consecutive seasons with a winning record, in which they made the playoffs 18 times.

1987: After a 1-1 start the NFL went on strike and continued the season with replacement players. However, during these games the Cowboys had an advantage as most of the Cowboys top players crossed the picket line. The Cowboys easily won their first 2 scab games, but in the final game the Cowboys regulars were stunned by a group of Washington Redskins replacements on a Monday Night at Texas Stadium. When the regulars returned the Cowboys weaknesses were exposed as they lost 6 of their next 8. The Cowboys would win their final 2 games of the season, but still finished with a 7-8 record.

1988: After a 2-2 start, the Cowboys downfall continued as they lost 10 in a row on the way to a horrid 3-13 record. The lone bright spot of the season was RB Herschel Walker who collected 2,019 All-Purpose Yards. However, the season would best be known as the end of an era, as shortly after the season ended, the Cowboys are sold to Jerry Jones. In Jones first move as owner he unceremoniously fired GM Tex Schramm, and Coach Tom Landry who had been with the franchise form the very start.

1989: A new era began with Coach Jimmy Johnson and Owner Jerry Jones running the show, to rebuild the Cowboys their first move was to draft a QB, and they would select Troy Aikman out of UCLA. Aikman and the young Cowboys struggled right away losing their first 8 games. The Cowboys would only get worse as Herschel Walker is traded in October for a number of conditional draft picks. The Cowboys would finally get their first win of the season in Washington by beating the Redskins 13-3. However, it would be the only win of the season as the Cowboys finished with an embarrassing 1-15 record. However, despite the poor season, the groundwork was being laid for a return to glory.

1990: Despite losing their number 1 pick with the subliminal selection of QB Steve Walsh, the Cowboys were able to have a strong draft keyed by the Herschel Walker trade, highlighted by the selection of RB Emmitt Smith in the middle of the 1st Round. The season began with a win, but the Cowboys still struggled early getting off to a 3-7 start. However, the Cowboys began to gel and ran off a 4 game winning streak to get in the playoff hunt. However, with QB Babe Laufenberg playing for an injured Troy Aikman the Cowboys lost their final 2 games to finish with a 7-9 record. Had they won either of those final game they would have made the playoffs. Following the season, RB Emmitt Smith earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

1991: The Cowboys continued to come making the playoffs by winning their final 5 games to finish with an 11-5 record, despite an injury to QB Troy Aikman. In the Wild Card round the Cowboys led by back up QB Steve Beuerlein stunned the Bears in Chicago 17-13. However, a week later the Cowboys season would end in Detroit with a 38-6 loss to the Lions.

1992: The Cowboys continued to stockpile players in the draft selecting CB Kevin Smith, LB Robert Jones, S Darren Woodsen, and CB Clayton Holmes. In addition the Cowboys acquired DE Charles Hailey to give their young defense a veteran leader. The moves worked out as the Cowboys quickly established themselves as a NFL power with a 9-1 start. They would go on to finish with a 13-3 record, winning the NFC East for the first time in 7 years. In the Divisional Playoffs the Cowboys destroyed the Philadelphia Eagles 34-10 to earn a trip to San Francisco with Super Bowl on the line. A decade earlier the Cowboys faced the 49ers for a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, in that game the 49ers won establishing themselves as the new power in the NFC. Now it was the Cowboys turn to claim that title back, beating the 49ers 30-20 after a 10-10 tie at half time.

Super Bowl XXVII: For the first time in 15 years the Cowboys were back in the Super Bowl, facing the Buffalo Bills in Pasadena. The Bills jumped on the scoreboard first capitalizing on a fumble near the goal line to take a 7-0 lead. However, the Cowboys would turn the tables capitalizing on Bills mistakes to score 14 points in 25 seconds late in the 1st Quarter. The Cowboys would continue to make the Bills pay late in the 2nd Quarter by scoring another 14 points in 18 seconds to take a 28-10 halftime lead. After being outscored 7-3 in the 3rd, the Cowboys put the game away in the 4th, scoring 21 points to take a 52-17 lead, as the Bills committed 9 turnovers. The Cowboys would have the all time record for points in a Super Bowl with 59, but Leon Lett's long fumble return for a TD was wiped out when he began to hotdog by the goal line, and had the ball knocked out of his hands by Don Bebe. However, there was no denying in the Cowboys were back on top, as Troy Aikman firmly established himself as one of the game's best Quarterbacks by winning the Super Bowl MVP.

1993: The season did not begin well; Emmitt Smith was in the midst of contract dispute with Jerry Jones and did not play in the first two games of the season, as the Cowboys got off to a 0-2 start. However, after the dispute was resolved the Cowboys did not miss a beat winning 12 of their final 14 games as Emmitt Smith took home NFL MVP honors with 1,486 yards rushing, as the Cowboys won the NFC East and earned Home Field Advantage. In the Divisional Playoffs the Cowboys held off the Green Bay Packers 27-17 to earn a rematch in the NFC Championship with San Francisco 49ers. After the game was tied at 7 the Cowboys reeled off 21 unanswered points on the way to 38-21 win, as the Cowboys walked the walk after Coach Jimmy Johnson talked talk, guaranteeing in # inch letter the Cowboys would win.

Super Bowl XXVIII: The Cowboys were back in the Super Bowl for the 7th time seeking to win their 2nd straight Lombardi Trophy against Buffalo Bills in Atlanta. Through the first half the Cowboys were held in check trailing the Bills 13-6. However, the game turned in the Cowboys favor when James Washington scooped up a Thurman Thomas fumble and returned in 46 yards for a game tying TD less than a minute into the 3rd Quarter. From there it became the Emmitt Smith show as earned the Super Bowl MVP by scoring 2 Touchdowns as the Cowboys won going away 30-13.

1994: Midway through the off season the Cowboys went from America's Team to America's Soap Opera, when Coach Jimmy Johnson resigned after a public feud with Owner Jerry Jones. The feud had come over Jones seeking more credit for building the team into Super Bowl Champions. To replace Johnson, Jones turned to an old rival of Barry Switzer. Despite the turmoil the Cowboys would win the NFC East again with a 12-4 record. In the Divisional Playoffs the Cowboys easily beat the Green Bay Packers 35-9 to earn a NFC Championship game match up with the 49ers for the 3rd year in a row. The NFC Championship Game in San Francisco was billed as the real Super Bowl, as the Cowboys looked to get the Super Bowl for the 3rd year in a row. However, when the 49ers jumped out quickly to a 21-0 lead, the Cowboys round themselves in a hole too deep to climb. They would go on to make the game close before falling 38-28.

1995: While the Cowboys were beginning their season with a 35-0 blowout of the Giants in New York Jerry Jones was finalizing a Free Agent contract with CB Deion Sanders. With Sanders in the fold the Cowboys easily won their 4th straight Division Title with a 12-4 record, as Emmitt Smith set a record with 25 Touchdowns on the season. In the Divisional Playoffs the Cowboys easily beat the Philadelphia Eagles 30-11 to advance to the NFC Championship Game, where they were matched up against the Green Bay Packers who upset the San Francisco 49ers a week earlier. The Cowboys would lead the Packers 28-27, before pulling away to win the game 38-27, with 10 unanswered points in the 4th Quarter.

Super Bowl XXX: Back in the Super Bowl for the 3rd time in 4 years Cowboys fans must have had a flashback to the 70's as they faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tempe, Arizona. The Cowboys appeared to have the game in control leading 20-7 after a Larry Brown Interception set up an Emmittt Smith TD run. However the Steelers would score 10 unanswered points in the 4th to get back in the game. After the Cowboys stalled on offense the Steelers got the ball and drove down the field getting into Cowboys territory and appeared on the way to at least tying the game. However, CB Larry Brown stepped up again intercepting a Neil O'Donnell pass and returning it deep into Steelers, to set up Emmitt Smith for a TD that sealed the Cowboys 5th Super Bowl Championship 27-17. For his 2 key interception return unheralded Larry Brown received MVP honors.

1996: The once-powerful offense of the Cowboys was in big trouble. TE Jay Novacek was injured and lost for the season. WR Michael Irvin was suspended for the first 5 games by the league for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Even reliable RB Emmitt Smith began the season injured and never was 100%. The Cowboys would begin the season with a 1-3 record, trailing 10-0 at Philadelphia in Week 5, before Herschel Walker's kickoff return changed the game and the season. The Cowboys would go on to win the NFC East again with a 10-6 record, but were forced to play an extra round in the playoff not earning a first round bye. In the Wild Card Round the Cowboys would easily beat the Minnesota Vikings 40-15 to earn a trip to the Divisional Round in Carolina. In what was seen as David vs. Goliath the Cowboys faced the 2nd year Panthers for a trip to Green Bay for the NFC Championship. However, the Cowboys would enter the game banged up and full of distractions as allegations flew around several players, before the Cowboys fell 26-17.

1997: The Cowboys battling injuries started the season with a 6-5 record entering a midseason show down with the Packers in Green Bay. The Cowboys would be blow out in that game 45-17, and it would the start of a season ending losing streak that ended their season with a disappointing 6-10 record. Following the season Barry Switzer would resign under pressure, he would be replaced by offensive guru Chan Gailey.

1998: The Cowboys take advantage of a weakened NFC East to win the Division Title for the 6th time in 7 years with a 10-6 record. On the way to the Division Title the Cowboys became the first team ever to march through the NFC East undefeated sweeping all opponents for an 8-0 record against division rivals. In the Wild Card round the Cowboys were matched up against another division rival in the Arizona Cardinals who they man handled twice in the regular season. However, the Cowboys playing without Deion Sanders were stunned by the Cardinals 20-7.

1999: After a rough off-season in which Leon Lett was suspended for the entire season for drug use, and former OT Mark Tuinei died form an overdose the Cowboys started the season 3-0. However storm clouds were on the horizon as FB Darryl "Moose" Johnston career came to an end with a series of neck and back injuries. In week 4 the Cowboys would suffer another loss when Michael Irvin suffered a career ending neck injury in a 13-10 loss to the Eagles. Making matters worse was the tasteless Eagles fans who actually cheered as Irvin was taken out on a backboard with his head and neck immobilized. The Cowboys would still go on to make the playoffs despite a mediocre 8-8 record. In the Wild Card game at Minnesota the Vikings scored 24 unanswered points to win the game 27-10. Following the season Coach Chan Gailey is fired and replaced by Dave Campo.

2000: The Cowboys continued to decline in their first year under head coach Dave Campo, as the Cowboys age, and lack of depth led to a miserable 5-11 season. During the season QB Troy Aikman suffered 2 concussions, and would be forced to retire when the Cowboys released him out of medical concerns.

2001: There is an old saying if you have 2 Quarterback you don't have any, well including preseason the Cowboys had 5. Starting with Tony Banks who was released midway through the exhibition schedule, the Cowboys went through 4 QBs trying to find one who could replace Troy Aikman. However, despite brief bright spots from Rookie Quincy Carter, Anthony Wright, Ryan Leaf, and Clint Stoener, the results were any thing but good as the Cowboys finished 5-11 for the second season in a row while residing in the NFC East cellar. The lone bright spot of the season was RB Emmitt Smith who rushed for 1,021 yards for his 11th season in a row over 1000 yards.

2002: An air of anticipation surrounded the Cowboys as RB Emmitt Smith entered the season needing just 539 rushing yards to break Walter Payton's all-time record of 16,726. However, the Cowboys struggles of the last few seasons continued as they alternated wins and losses over their first 6 games. After a frustrating 9-6 loss on the road to the Arizona Cardinals the Cowboys came home in Week 8 with the record in reach for Emmitt. Emmitt Smith would achieve the record early in the 4th Quarter with an 11-yard run. However, his day would be spoiled as the Cowboys lost to the Seattle Seahawks 17-14. The Cowboys would continue to struggle dropping to 3-7 and into last place in the NFC East. After ending their losing streak with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Emmitt had his finest game of the season on Thanksgiving rushing for 144 yards, as the Cowboys kept their slip playoff hopes alive with a 27-20 win over the Washington Redskins. However it would be the last positive moment for the Cowboys as they lost their final 4 games to finish with a record of 5-11 for the 3rd straight season. Following the season Coach Dave Campo would be fired and replaced by Bill Parcells as Owner Jerry Jones finally chose a coach with a winning reputation that would challenges his authority over personnel decisions. With the addition of Parcells the Cowboys would completely torn the page, which meant saying good-bye to Emmitt Smith who was released after failing to reach 1,000 yards rushing for the first time since his rookie season.

2003: The Bill Parcells era got off to a rocky start when the Cowboys dropped the first game to the Atlanta Falcons at home 27-13. In Week 2 Coach Parcells returned to the home of his greatest success as the Cowboys stunned the New York Giants 35-32 as Billy Cundiff nailed 7 Field Goals including a 52-yarder as time expired to force overtime and the game winning 25-yarder in OT. The win launched the Cowboys on a 5 game winning streak as they held an early 2-game lead for the NFC Eastern Division. After a shutout loss on the road to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the Cowboys to use defense to win their next 2 games to improve to 7-2. However a week later Coach Parcells returned to another former home and things did not go as well as the Cowboys were shutout by the New England Patriots 12-0. After an impressive home win over the Carolina Panthers the Cowboys defense that was ranked number 1 was exposed in a 40-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving. After their Thanksgiving roasting the Cowboys were exposed again in a 36-10 loss on the road to the Philadelphia Eagles which saw them lose their grip on first place. The Cowboys would go on to close out the season with 2 wins in their final 3 games to reach the playoffs for the first time in 4 years. However, in the playoffs the Cowboys would make a quick exit as they were beaten by the Panthers 29-10 on the road. In the game the Cowboys offense was stuck in neutral as they collected just 204 yards total in the game much of which came after the game was out of reach.

2004: The Cowboys stumbled before the season even began as QB Quincy Carter who had had solid 2003 was suddenly released at the start of the training camp reportedly due to problems with drugs. Without Carter, the Cowboys turned to 40-year old veteran Vinny Testeverde, whose best days were clearly behind him. With Testeverde under center the Cowboys would struggle losing 7 of their first 10 games knocking the Cowboys out of the playoff picture early. On Thanksgiving the Cowboys handed the ball to rookie Drew Henson who had not picked up a football in 3 years while playing minor league baseball with the New York Yankees. However, Henson was horrible having an interception returned for a TD while completing just 4 passes, as Testeverde took over in the second half creating tension between Owner Jerry Jones, who wanted to give Henson and Coach Bill Parcells, who did not think Henson is ready. However amidst the QB controversy another young Cowboys emerged as the hope of the future Rookie RB Julius Jones who missed most of the season with an injury finally shined with 150 yards and 2 TDs in a 21-7 win over the Chicago Bears. A week later Jones was at it again rushing for 198 yards and 3 Touchdowns in a 43-39 upset win over the Seattle Seahawks on the road. Jones would be the focal point for the Cowboys the rest of the season rushing for 819 yards with 7 TDs in just 8 games as the Cowboys finished with a 6-10 record.

2005: The Cowboys with new Quarterback Drew Bledsoe got off to a strong start by stunning the San Diego Chargers on the road 28-24. Coming home for Week 2 the Cowboys looked well on the way to a 2-0 start as "The Triplets" Troy Aikman, Emmett Smith and Michael Irvin join the ring of honor at halftime of a Monday Night Game with the Washington Redskins. The Cowboys led by their defense led 13-0 late in the 4th Quarter as the Redskins offense was stalled all night. However, two passes to Santana Moss would stun the Cowboys as the Skins came back to win 14-13 with 2 passes totaling 109 yards in 71 seconds. The Cowboys would rebound for a comeback win of their own on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, but a week later stumbled again losing to the Oakland Raiders. Coming home the Cowboys won their next two games at home against the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants to improve to 4-2, to claim first place. After a loss on the road to the Seattle Seahawks the Cowboys won three in a row to enter a Thanksgiving Day match up with the Denver Broncos at 7-3. However, the Cowboys had trouble stopping Ron Dayne as the Broncos won in overtime 20-17. The loss on Thanksgiving would single the start of a late season collapse as the Cowboys followed it up with a 17-10 loss to the Giants, as they lost 4 of their last 6 games and ended up missing the playoffs while finishing in third place with a 9-7 record.

2006: To help get the Cowboys back into the playoffs, Owner Jerry Jones, always known for making the bold move signed Wide Receiver Terrell Owens after his disruptive behavior caused his exit from the Philadelphia Eagles. From the start it was clear that Coach Bill Parcells was not happy with the move, as Owens, claiming a hamstring injury spent most of training camp working on an exercise bike. When the season began Owens played well scoring a TD with 80 yards receiving, but the Cowboys would lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-17. In their home opener T.O. would make just 19 yards on three catches, while breaking a finger as the Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins 27-10. Owens would not miss a game despite undergoing surgery, as the Cowboys had an early Week 3 bye. However, there would be no lacking of drama, as Terrell Owens was rushed to the hospital on September 27th after an accidental overdose of pain killers, that some initially reported as a suicide attempt. T.O. would recover in time for the Cowboys 45-14 win on the road over the Tennessee Titans. A week later Owens would return to Philadelphia with extra security on hand as the Eagles handed the Cowboys a frustrating 38-24 loss with QB Drew Bledsoe throwing three interceptions. The Cowboys would return home a week later as T.O. scored 3 TDs in a dominant 34-6 win over the Houston Texans. However a week later with first place on the line Bledsoe would experience more frustration being sacked four times before being benched at halftime in a 36-22 loss to the New York Giants with first place on the line. Taking over for Beldsoe would be Tony Romo, who had been on the Cowboys roster since 2003 after being signed as an undrafted Free Agent out of Eastern Illinois. In his first start Romo led the Cowboys to a comeback 35-10 win over the Carolina Panthers, leading the way in a 25-point fourth quarter. The Cowboys appeared to be close to a second straight win as Mike Vanderjagt the Cowboys big Free Agent kicking acquisition set up for a 35-yard Field with six seconds left on the road against the Redskins. However, the kick would be blocked by Troy Vincent who returned it across midfield as time expired. However, a face mask penalty gave the Redskins 15 extra yards and an un-timed down allowing Nick Novak to deliver the Redskins a 22-19 win with a 47-yard Field Goal. The loss would be a mere bump in the road, as Tony Romo seemed to give the Cowboys offense the boost it needed leading the way in four straight wins, culminating with a 23-20 win on the road against the Giants, with Martin Gramatica hitting a game winning 46-yard Field Goal just six days after being signed to replace Mike Vanderjagt who was released, after struggling to live up to expectations. After a 42-17 humbling loss to the New Orleans Saints, and a 38-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons the Cowboys hosted the Eagles in a Christmas Day game with first place on the line. Much like their first meeting T.O. was held in check with just 23 yards receiving and a TD, as the Tony Romo struggled in a 23-7 loss. The Cowboys would also lose their final game to the lowly Detroit Lions 39-31, but their 9-7 record was good enough to make the playoffs. Facing the defending NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks on the road, the Cowboys found themselves in an exciting back and forth game that saw them hold a 20-13 lead, before Terry Glenn fumble through the endzone gave the Sehawks life, which they used to take a 21-20 lead on a TD on the ensuing possession. The Cowboys would not go down quietly as they drove deep into Seahawks territory with a chance to win the game with 1:19 left. However, Tony Romo fumbled the snap on what would have been a game winning 19-yard FG, as the Cowboys season ended in heartbreak. Following the heartbreaking loss, Coach Bill Parcells decided to end his tenure in Dallas, as the Cowboys decided to keep Terrell Owens despite a season of distractions. To replace Parcells the Cowboys would tab Wade Phillips.

2007: Coming into the season the big questions that surrounded the Cowboys involved QB Tony Romo and if he could build off the 2006 season when he came out of nowhere to deliver the Cowboys into the playoffs, and how would new Coach Wade Phillips handle the spotlight and the drama that often came with WR Terrell Owens. In the opener the Cowboys got more then they could hope for as Romo had four touchdowns and 345 yards passing in a 45-34 win over the New York Giants. It would be no fluke as the Cowboys easily won their first four games scoring 34 or more points in every game, with Romo establishing himself as one of the best QBs in the NFL, while T.O. was quiet and happy, which helped the Cowboys become a team in harmony. However, in Week 5 they were singing off key as Romo had two passes intercepted and returned for touchdowns, while committing seven turnovers as the Cowboys were being beat by the Buffalo Bills much of the game on Monday Night. They would not give up as the Tony Romo connected with Patrick Crayton with 20 seconds left to give the Cowboys a chance to tie the game. However, down 24-22 the two point conversion failed as the Cowboys needed to recover an on-side kick to have any hope to remain unbeaten. However, thanks to Tony Curtis they did just that as Nick Folk hit a 53 yarder to give the Cowboys a stunning 25-24 win on the road. However, a week later in a match up of unbeatens in Dallas the Cowboys would not be able to stage a big comeback as the New England Patriots behind five touchdown passes from Tom Brady beat the Cowboys 48-27. However, the loss would be a mere bump in the road for the Cowboys as they would win their next seven games to cruise to their first division championship since 1998. Along the way Tony Romo firmly established himself as an All-Pro as he passed for 4,211 yards with 36 Touchdown passes. He would also become a tabloid star as he began dating Actress and Singer Jessica Simpson. Jessica Simpson would be sitting in the Cowboys boxes when Romo suffered through one of his worst games of the season a 10-6 loss at home to the Philadelphia Eagles, as the Cowboys dropped two of their last three games to finish with a 13-3 record. During the bye week of the playoffs the relationship between Romo and Simpson would take center stage as the two visited a Mexican Beach Resort. Maybe it was that lack of focus, maybe it was the defense of the New York Giants, but when the playoffs rolled around the Cowboys appeared out of sync, as the Giants scored a TD late in the second quarter to send the game to halftime tied 14-14. In the second half the Cowboys would only manage a 34-yard Field Goal as Tony Romo struggled completing just 50% of his passes as he seemed to be missing wide open receivers all game as the Giants improved pass rush seemed to have the Cowboys flustered. In the regular season the Cowboys had easily beaten the Giants twice, but now they were in a struggle for survival as the Giants took a 21-17 lead early in the 4th Quarter. The Cowboys would have plenty of time to answer back but Romo could never get on track as he had a pass intercepted by R.W. McQuarters who stepped in front of Terry Glenn to seal the victory for the Giants in the final minute. The Giants would go on to win Super Bowl XLII, as the Cowboys were left just to scratch their heads about how such a great season ended with such disappointment.