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Cowboys History

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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 Quarterback Bobby Lane led the Steelers to a 35-24 come from behind win. The Cowboys would go to lose their first ten 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 in the Eastern Division, the Cowboys started their second season at the Cotton Bowl on September 17th still seeking their first win in franchise history, playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thanks to Kicker Allan Green's 27-yard Field Goal, the Cowboys won 27-24 win, to start the season 1-0. The Cowboys would go on to win three of their first four 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 three, as their offense scored the second most points in the league at 398, on the way to a 4-3-1 start. However, the defense allowed the second most points in the league, and the Cowboys lost five of their last six 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 four games, and six of their first seven. 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 three games 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 Defensive Back Mel Renfro in the second round and Quarterback Roger Staubach in the tenth. Despite Staubach winning the 1963 Heisman Trophy while at the US Naval Academy, his selection was a gamble, as he had four 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 firing, Coach Tom Landry is given an unprecedented ten year contract extension.

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

1966: President and General Manager 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 four games in blowout fashion. After a rough four game stretch in which the team went 1-2-1, the Cowboys pulled out a one point victory in Washington over the Redskins to get back on track. A week later the Cowboys set a record by sacking Steelers Quarterbacks 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 three of their final five 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 six 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 Running Back 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 five 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 two 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 ten points including Jim O'Brien's game winning Field Goal that gave the Colts a 16-13 win in a game better known as the Blunder Bowl. Despite the loss Line Backer 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 seven 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 second half finally becoming World Champions with a 24-3 super triumph, as Quarterback Roger Staubach earned MVP honors.

1972: With Quarertback Roger Staubach lost to a shoulder injury the Cowboys don't miss a beat sitting at 10-3 with a chance for their seven 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 six of their last seve 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 four 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 four straight games 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 seven of their final nine games to finish with a 8-6 record, but it was not good enough, as the Cowboys run of eight straight seasons in the playoffs came to an end. The Highlight of the season came on Thanksgiving when backup Quarterback 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 Defensive Tackle Bob Lilly, Corner Back Cornell Green, and Running Back Walt Garrison retired, while Running Back 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 four games before hitting a mid-season slump by losing three of four games. However, the Cowboys quickly rebounded to win five of the last six games 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 Quarterback 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 tenth Super Bowl the Cowboys were matched up against the Pittsburgh Steelers who were seeking their second 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 three possessions, caped by Lynn Swann's 64-yard Touchdown reception. However the Cowboys would not go down without a fight, first after Roger Staubach hit Percy Howard with a 34 Yard Touchdown 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 Running Back 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 fourth 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 Quarterback 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 Field Goal, the Cowboys would get a stranglehold on the game when Roger Staubach found Butch Johnson for a 45-yard Touchdown pass. The Broncos would answer it with a Touchdown of their own, but the Cowboys would shut Denver down the rest of the way scoring a 4th Quarter Touchdown to complete a 27-10 rout. Defensive stalwarts Randy White, and Harvey Martin would share game MVP honors.

1978: Through the first ten games the Cowboys struggled with inconstancy losing four times, but keeping control of first Place in the NFC East. However, in their final six games the Cowboys finally played the dominant football they showcased the year before winning all six games, and five 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 seventh NFC Championship Game in nine 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 fifth 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 Touchdown to take a 21-14 lead into halftime. After the Cowboys could only muster a Field Goal in the 3rd Quarter, the Steelers grabbed control of the game in the 4th Quarter scoring two touchdowns as Cowboys Tight End Jackie Smith dropped a sure Touchdown in the endzone. However, despite trailing 35-17 the defending Champions would not go down without a fight scoring two Touchdowns in two minutes to get within four 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 four out of five games, and out of first in the East. However, America's Team would rebound to win their next two 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, Quarterback Roger Staubach had one last miracle leading two Touchdown 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, Quarterback 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 second 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, Quarterback 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 Wide Receiver 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 two month players strike canceled the next seven games. When the players returned the Cowboys would win five games in a row to sew up a playoff berth. However, losses in their final two games cost them the top seed as they ended the season with a 6-3 record. In the First 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 third 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 Quarterback Danny White out of the game with a concussion.

1983: The Cowboys jumped out of the gates by winning their winning their first seven 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 four of their first five games. However, inconstancy and age would catch up with them as they lost four out of seven games. The Cowboys would rebound to win their next two games and sat in the driver's eat for the playoffs at 9-5. However by losing their final two games the Cowboys fell to 9-7, and missed the playoffs for the first time in ten years, and just the second time since 1966.

1985: The Cowboys jump out of the gate quickly again winning five of their first six games, to gain control of the top spot in the NFC East. Although the Cowboys alternated wins and losses in the final ten 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 six of their first eight 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 Quarterback Danny White suffered a season ending hand injury. With Back up Steve Pelluer holding the reigns the Cowboys would only win one 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

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