The 2021 season is the Dallas Cowboys' 62nd season in the National Football League, the 33rd under the ownership of Jerry Jones, the thirteenth playing home games at AT&T Stadium since 1996.
For the first time since 2004, long-time long snapper L. P. Ladouceur was not on the opening day roster, as he was not re-signed during free agency.[1] This is also the first time since 2010 that long-time punter Chris Jones was not on the opening day roster, as he was released on March 17, 2021.[2] To further add to the notable departures, for the first time since 2011, defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford was not on the opening day roster, as he announced his retirement on March 25, 2021.[3] Additionally, for the first time since 2009, linebacker Sean Lee was not on the opening day roster, as he announced his retirement on April 26, 2021.[4]
With their Week 10 win against the Atlanta Falcons, the Cowboys improved on their 6–10 record from the previous season. With their Week 14 win against the Washington Football Team, the Cowboys clinched their first winning season since 2018, and with the San Francisco 49ers' Week 16 loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Cowboys clinched their first playoff berth also since 2018. Following a Denver Broncos' loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Cowboys clinched the NFC East, based on strength-of-victory tiebreakers, also for the first time since 2018.
On July 2, 2021, the Cowboys were announced to be featured on HBO's Hard Knocks for the third time in franchise history.[5]
The Cowboys were awarded one third-round, one fourth-round, one fifth-round and one sixth-round compensatory picks (99th, 138th, 178th and 225th overall).
The Cowboys traded its first-round selection (10th overall) to Philadelphia in exchange for first- and third-round selections (12th and 84th overall).
Staff[]
Dallas Cowboys staff
v
t
Front office
Owner/president/general manager – Jerry Jones
COO/Executive vice president/director of player personnel – Stephen Jones
Senior director of football operations/football administration – Todd Williams
Director of salary cap & player contracts – Adam Prasifka
On February 15, the NFL announced that the Cowboys would face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 5, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The game kicked off at 7:00 p.m. CDT, and was televised by Fox. The Cowboys were represented by head coachJimmy Johnson and safetyCliff Harris. The Cowboys and Steelers were scheduled to play in the 2020 Hall of Fame game; however, the game, the annual Hall of Fame enshrinement, along with the entire 2020 preseason, were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Hall of Fame game between the Cowboys and Steelers was rescheduled for 2021.[6][7]
The remainder of the Cowboys' preseason opponents are listed below; the schedule was announced on May 13.
TB – Chris Godwin 5-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 5:23. Buccaneers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 94 yards, 4:09
DAL – CeeDee Lamb 22-yard pass from Dak Prescott (Greg Zuerlein kick), 1:35. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:48
Second quarter
TB – Rob Gronkowski 2-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 9:48. Buccaneers 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 2:53
DAL – Amari Cooper 5-yard pass from Dak Prescott (kick failed), 4:12. Buccaneers 14–13. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 2:08
DAL – Greg Zuerlein 35-yard field goal, 3:16. Cowboys 16–14. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 0:52
TB – Antonio Brown 47-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 2:38. Buccaneers 21–16. Drive: 2 plays, 57 yards, 0:38
Third quarter
DAL – Greg Zuerlein 21-yard field goal, 9:15. Buccaneers 21–19. Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 5:45
TB – Rob Gronkowski 11-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 6:23. Buccaneers 28–19. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 2:08
DAL – Amari Cooper 21-yard pass from Dak Prescott (Greg Zuerlein kick), 0:33. Buccaneers 28–26. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:50
Fourth quarter
DAL – Greg Zuerlein 48-yard field goal, 1:29. Cowboys 29–28. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 3:28
TB – Ryan Succop 36-yard field goal, 0:02. Buccaneers 31–29. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 1:22
Top passers
DAL – Dak Prescott – 42/58, 403 yards, 3 TD, INT
TB – Tom Brady – 32/50, 379 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
DAL – Ezekiel Elliott – 11 rushes, 33 yards
TB – Leonard Fournette – 9 rushes, 32 yards
Top receivers
DAL – Amari Cooper – 13 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TD
TB – Antonio Brown – 5 receptions, 121 yards, TD
Dak Prescott played his first game since he suffered compound fracture and dislocation injuries to his right ankle during a Week 5 game against the Giantsthe previous season. The Cowboys defense forced four turnovers but Greg Zuerlein missed crucial field goals, including a 60-yarder and an extra point. The Cowboys would fall to 0–1.
Week 2: at Los Angeles Chargers[]
Week 2: Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
The Cowboys started the game with a 14–3 lead. The Chargers would later tie the game. The Cowboys and Chargers would each score a field goal in the next scoring drives. In the last seconds of the game, the Cowboys would march down the field to the Chargers' 38 yard line. Greg Zuerlein would kick a 56-yard field goal to give Dallas a crucial win. The win improved the Cowboys to 1–1. This was the Cowboys' first win over the Chargers since 2005.
Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles[]
Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
The Cowboys continued their home streak against the Eagles. Despite Dak Prescott's early hiccup by fumbling to allow the Eagles to score, Prescott would respond by leading his team to running over the Eagles defense. Trevon Diggs would record a pick-six off Jalen Hurts to tighten the Cowboys' lead. It was the first time since Week 8 of 2017 that the Cowboys would record a pick-six. With the win, the Cowboys improved to 2-1.
Week 4: vs. Carolina Panthers[]
Week 4: Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
The Cowboys continued to roll. The Cowboys trailed 14-13 at halftime, but they exploded in the second half. The third quarter began with Zane Gonzalez missing a field goal, which the Cowboys would take advantage by marching down the field to score a touchdown on the next drive. The Cowboys scored 23 unanswered points to take a 36–14 lead. Trevon Diggs recorded two interceptions off Panthers' Sam Darnold, giving Diggs a recorded 5 interceptions in the first 4 games. The Panthers scored the final 14 points, but the Cowboys would get a first down in the last minutes to run out the clock. This win improved the Cowboys to 3–1. This was the Cowboys' first win over the Panthers since 2012.
Week 5: vs. New York Giants[]
Week 5: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys play their second consecutive Week 5 home game against the Giants. Unlike the previous season's matchup, Dak Prescott finished the game without suffering an injury. The game began with Dak Prescott throwing an interception and losing a fumble, neither turnover of which the Cowboys would allow the Giants to score. The Cowboys never once trailed despite allowing New York to tie the game. Afterwards, it was all Dallas the rest of the way. The Cowboys scored two more takeaways, one of which was a pick six collected by Anthony Brown to seal the win for the Cowboys. This win improved the Cowboys to 4–1. This was the first time since 2018 that they would win 4 or more consecutive games.
Week 6: at New England Patriots[]
Week 6: Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots – Game summary
NE – Kendrick Bourne 75-yard pass from Mac Jones (Mac Jones-Jakobi Meyers pass), 2:11. Patriots 29–26. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:16.
DAL – Greg Zuerlein 49-yard field goal, 0:20. Tied 29–29. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 1:51.
Overtime
DAL – CeeDee Lamb 35-yard pass from Dak Prescott, 3:52. Cowboys 35–29.
Top passers
DAL – Dak Prescott – 36/51, 445 yards, 3 TD, INT
NE – Mac Jones – 15/21, 229 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
DAL – Ezekiel Elliott – 17 rushes, 69 yards, TD
NE – Damien Harris – 18 rushes, 101 yards, TD
Top receivers
DAL – CeeDee Lamb – 9 receptions, 149 yards, 2 TD
NE – Kendrick Bourne – 1 reception, 75 yards, TD
The Cowboys scored the 2,500th touchdown in franchise history with Dak Prescott's 1-yard pass to CeeDee Lamb in the third quarter to take their first lead of the game. With the overtime win not only did the Cowboys improve to 5-1, but they also got their first win over the Patriots since 1996, and their first in New England since 1987.
Week 8: at Minnesota Vikings[]
Week 8: Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Dak Prescott was declared inactive before the game due to a calf strain, which meant Cooper Rush would make his first career start. Though the Cowboys' defense would allow an opening-drive touchdown and didn't collect any takeaways, they frustrated the Vikings' offense all game and only allowed three field goals the rest of the game. The Cowboys won the game in the final minute when Rush connected with Amari Cooper for a five-yard touchdown pass. With the win, the Cowboys improved to 6-1. This was the Cowboys' second consecutive win over the Vikings and they are now 3-0 at U.S. Bank Stadium. This was the first time the Cowboys won six games in a row since 2016.
Week 9: vs. Denver Broncos[]
Week 9: Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
The Cowboys entered the game as 10-point home favorites. In search of their first win against the Broncos since 1995, the Cowboys struggled throughout the game. The Cowboys recorded their second blocked punt of the season, but they would not pick it up as the Broncos would recover. The loss dropped the Cowboys to 6–2, and 0–7 in their last 7 matchups against the Broncos.
Week 10: vs. Atlanta Falcons[]
Week 10: Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
3
0
0
0
3
Cowboys
7
29
7
0
43
at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Date: November 14
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C) (retractable roof open)
The Cowboys dominated on both sides of the ball. The Cowboys offense combined for 43 points off of 431 yards. The scoring began with CeeDee Lamb hauling in Dak Prescott's pass for a touchdown to give the Cowboys the early lead. The Falcons would respond with a field goal for their lone scoring play of the game. Afterwards, the Cowboys would put up 36 unanswered points. As the Cowboys led 36–3, the Cowboys would intercept the Falcons three times in three drives. One of those interceptions was by Trevon Diggs, who had not intercepted a pass since Week 6 against the Patriots. With this win, the Cowboys improved to 7–2.
Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs[]
Week 11: Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Cowboys
3
0
3
3
9
Chiefs
9
7
3
0
19
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date: November 21
Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C)
Game attendance: 73,494
Referee: John Hussey
TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi
Dak Prescott became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw touchdown passes to a wide receiver, running back, offensive lineman, and a tight end. This win improved the Cowboys to 11–4 and swept Washington for the first time since 2019. The Cowboys also clinched the NFC East division title.
Week 17: vs. Arizona Cardinals[]
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Cardinals
0
0
0
0
0
Cowboys
0
0
0
0
0
at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Date: January 2
Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
Game weather: TBD (retractable roof stadium)
Referee: Scott Novak
TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi
^ abcDallas wins tiebreaker over LA Rams and Tampa Bay based on conference record.
^ abLA Rams wins tiebreaker over Tampa Bay based on head-to-head victory.
^ abSan Francisco wins tiebreaker over Philadelphia based on head-to-head victory.
^ abMinnesota wins tiebreaker over Atlanta based on conference record. Division tiebreaker initially used to eliminate New Orleans (see below).
^ abAtlanta wins tiebreaker over New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^ abCarolina wins tiebreaker over Chicago based on strength of victory.
^ abCarolina wins tiebreaker over Seattle based on conference record.
^ abChicago wins tiebreaker over Seattle based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
Legend
w — Clinched wild card
x — Clinched playoff berth
y — Clinched division
z — Clinched first-round bye and home-field advantage
