2012 Dallas Cowboys season

2012 Dallas Cowboys season
Head coach Jason Garrett
General manager Jerry Jones
Owner Jerry Jones
Home field Cowboys Stadium
Results
Record 8–8
Division place 3rd NFC East
Playoff finish Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers Anthony Spencer LB,
DeMarcus Ware LB,
Jason Witten TE
AP All-Pros DeMarcus Ware (2nd team),
Jason Witten (2nd team)
Uniform

The 2012 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 53rd season National Football League, the fourth playing their home games at Cowboys Stadium and the second full season under head coach Jason Garrett. The Cowboys matched their win total from 2011, but missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season after losing their final game for the second straight season, this time to the Washington Redskins.

2012 draft class

Main article: 2012 NFL Draft
2012 Dallas Cowboys Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 6 Morris Claiborne CB LSU
3 81 Tyrone Crawford DE Boise State
4 113 Kyle Wilber LB Wake Forest
135 Matt Johnson S Eastern Washington
5 152 Danny Coale WR Virginia Tech
6 186 James Hanna TE Oklahoma
7 222 Caleb McSurdy LB Montana
Compensatory selection
Notes

Staff

2012 Dallas Cowboys staff
Front office
  • Owner/President/General Manager – Jerry Jones
  • COO/Executive Vice President/Director of Player Personnel – Stephen Jones
  • Assistant Director of Player Personnel – Tom Ciskowski
  • Director of Football Administration – Todd Williams
  • Assistant Director of Pro Scouting – Judd Garrett

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches
  • Defensive Coordinator – Rob Ryan
  • Defensive Line – Brian Baker
  • Linebackers – Matt Eberflus
  • Secondary – Jerome Henderson
  • Assistant Secondary – Joe Baker
  • Defensive Assistant/Defensive Line – Leon Lett
  • Defensive Quality Control/Linebackers – Ben Bloom

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Mike Woicik
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Walt Williams
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Brett Bech

Rosters

Opening preseason roster

Dallas Cowboys 2012 opening preseason roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

 Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

 Reserve Lists

90 Active, 0 Inactive

Week one roster

Dallas Cowboys 2012 week one roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

 Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

 Reserve Lists

Practice Squad

53 Active, 3 Inactive, 8 PS

Final roster

Dallas Cowboys 2012 final roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

 Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

 Reserve Lists

Practice Squad

53 Active, 13 Inactive, 9 PS

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 13 at Oakland Raiders W 3–0 1–0 O.co Coliseum Recap
2 August 18 at San Diego Chargers L 20–28 1–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
3 August 25 St. Louis Rams W 20–19 2–1 Cowboys Stadium Recap
4 August 29 Miami Dolphins W 30–13 3–1 Cowboys Stadium Recap

Regular season

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 5 at New York Giants W 24–17 1–0 MetLife Stadium Recap
2 September 16 at Seattle Seahawks L 7–27 1–1 CenturyLink Field Recap
3 September 23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 16–10 2–1 Cowboys Stadium Recap
4 October 1 Chicago Bears L 18–34 2–2 Cowboys Stadium Recap
5 Bye
6 October 14 at Baltimore Ravens L 29–31 2–3 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
7 October 21 at Carolina Panthers W 19–14 3–3 Bank of America Stadium Recap
8 October 28 New York Giants L 24–29 3–4 Cowboys Stadium Recap
9 November 4 at Atlanta Falcons L 13–19 3–5 Georgia Dome Recap
10 November 11 at Philadelphia Eagles W 38–23 4–5 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
11 November 18 Cleveland Browns W 23–20 (OT) 5–5 Cowboys Stadium Recap
12 November 22 Washington Redskins L 31–38 5–6 Cowboys Stadium Recap
13 December 2 Philadelphia Eagles W 38–33 6-6 Cowboys Stadium Recap
14 December 9 at Cincinnati Bengals W 20–19 7–6 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
15 December 16 Pittsburgh Steelers W 27–24 (OT) 8–6 Cowboys Stadium Recap
16 December 23 New Orleans Saints L 31–34 (OT) 8–7 Cowboys Stadium Recap
17 December 30 at Washington Redskins L 18–28 8–8 FedEx Field Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at New York Giants

Week One: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 7 10724
Giants 0 3 7717

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter
  • None
Second quarter
  • NYG Tynes 22 yd field goal (4 plays 3 yards 1:20)
  • DAL Ogletree 10-yard pass from Romo Bailey kick (7 plays 78 yards 2:33)
Third quarter
  • DAL Ogletree 40-yard pass from Romo Bailey kick (9 plays 80 yards 4:36)
  • NYG Bradshaw 10-yard run Tynes kick (9 plays 77 yards 5:13)
  • DAL Bailey 33 yd field goal (8 plays 65 yards 4:31)
Fourth quarter
  • DAL Austin 34-yard pass from Romo Bailey kick (8 plays 92 yards 7:06)
  • NYG Bennett 9-yard pass from Manning Tynes kick (12 plays 79 yards 3:21)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

The Cowboys opened its 2012 campaign at MetLife Stadium in the Annual Kickoff Game against their NFC East foe, the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. After a scoreless first quarter, the Giants picked up the season's first points as kicker Lawrence Tynes kicked a 22-yard field goal in the second quarter. Dallas would close out the half with quarterback Tony Romo finding wide receiver Kevin Ogletree on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

In the third quarter, the Cowboys added onto its lead Romo hooked up with Ogletree again with a 40-yard touchdown pass. New York answered with a 10-yard run from running back Ahmad Bradshaw, yet Dallas responded in kind with a 33-yard field goal from kicker Dan Bailey. The Cowboys pulled away for good in the fourth quarter with Romo connecting with wide receiver Miles Austin on a 34-yard touchdown pass. The Giants closed out the game with quarterback Eli Manning completing a 9-yard touchdown pass to former Dallas tight end Martellus Bennett.

With the win, the Cowboys began the season at 1–0.

Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Two: Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 7 007
Seahawks 10 3 7727

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

First quarter
  • SEA Hauschka 21-yard field goal. (11:51)
  • SEA Johnson Blocked punt recovered at DAL 3. Touchdown. (10:28)
Second quarter
  • DAL Austin 22-yard pass from Romo. Bailey PAT good. (12:20)
  • SEA Hauschka 25-yard field goal. (2:00)
Third quarter
  • SEA McCoy 22-yard pass from R. Wilson. Hauschka PAT good. (5:12)
Fourth quarter
  • SEA Lynch 3-yard run. Hauschka PAT good. (8:01)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • SEA –

With the huge loss, the Cowboys fell to 1–1.

Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Three: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 7 0 0310
Cowboys 7 3 0616

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: September 23
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 81,984
  • Referee: Robert Dalton
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • TB –
  • DAL –
Top rushers
  • TB –
  • DAL –
Top receivers
  • TB –
  • DAL –
Top tacklers
  • TB –
  • DAL –

Hoping to rebound from their tough road loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Cowboys returned to Arlington to host their home opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that they had blown out a year before. This game, however, was a close one throughout. In the first quarter, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo tossed an interception to Aqib Talib, which set up for a 1-yard touchdown pass from Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman to tight end Luke Stocker for Tampa Bay to take the first lead. Dallas would immediately respond after a Sean Lee interception set up Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray for an 11-yard touchdown run to tie the game. Shortly before the half, kicker Dan Bailey booted a 32-yard field goal for Dallas to take the lead, 10–7. After a scoreless third quarter, Dallas pulled away with Dan Bailey knocking in a pair of field goals, one from 26 yards and another from 22 yards to make the game 16–7. Tampa Bay attempted a furious rally to take the game back after a 28-yard field goal by Connor Barth, but Dallas would recover the following onside kick and effectively took a knee to end the game.

With the victory, Dallas improved their season to 2–1.

Week 4: vs. Chicago Bears

Week Four: Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bears 0 10 141034
Cowboys 0 7 3818

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CHI –
  • DAL –
Top rushers
  • CHI –
  • DAL –
Top receivers
  • CHI –
  • DAL –
Top tacklers
  • CHI –
  • DAL –

With the loss, the Cowboys enter their bye week with 2–2. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo had a horrifically forgettable game, tossing 5 interceptions, including 2 that were run back for touchdowns by the ferocious Bears defense.

Week 6: at Baltimore Ravens

Week Six: Dallas Cowboys at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 3 10929
Ravens 3 14 7731

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DAL –
  • BAL –
Top rushers
  • DAL –
  • BAL –
Top receivers
  • DAL –
  • BAL –
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • BAL –

With the loss, the Cowboys fell into 2–3 and dropped to 0–4 all-time against the Ravens. Horrible clock management by head coach Jason Garrett on the final drive left Dallas' kicker with a 50+ yard field goal attempt that he pushed wide as time expired.

Week 7: at Carolina Panthers

Week Seven: Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 3 10619
Panthers 0 7 0714

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: October 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 73,981
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DAL –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • DAL –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • DAL –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • CAR –

With the win, the Cowboys go to 3–3

Week 8: vs. New York Giants

Week Eight: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Giants 13 10 0629
Cowboys 0 10 14024

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: October 28
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), sunny skies
  • Game attendance: 94,067
  • Referee: Scott Green
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • NYG –
  • DAL –
Top rushers
  • NYG –
  • DAL –
Top receivers
  • NYG –
  • DAL –
Top tacklers
  • NYG –
  • DAL –

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 3–4 on the season and 0–4 at Cowboys Stadium against the Giants. A late go-ahead touchdown catch by Dez Bryant was overturned on review as it showed that as Bryant's hand came down to brace his landing, barely a tip of one finger came down on the end line, thus ruling him out of bounds.

Week 9: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Nine: Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 6 0 0713
Falcons 0 6 01319

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta

  • Date: November 4
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST/7:20 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,840
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DAL –
  • ATL –
Top rushers
  • DAL –
  • ATL –
Top receivers
  • DAL –
  • ATL –
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • ATL –

During this game, Jason Witten's 7 receptions brought him to a franchise record of 754, surpassing Michael Irvin's previous record of 750.[2]

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 3–5.

Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week Ten: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 3 72138
Eagles 7 0 10623

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 69,144
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • DAL- Dan Bailey, 30-yard field goal, 3:50 (DAL 10–7)
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DAL –
  • PHI –
Top rushers
  • DAL –
  • PHI –
Top receivers
  • DAL –
  • PHI –
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • PHI –

With the win, the Cowboys improved to 4–5.

Week 11: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week Eleven: Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Browns 7 6 07020
Cowboys 0 0 317323

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CLE –
  • DAL –
Top rushers
  • CLE –
  • DAL –
Top receivers
  • CLE –
  • DAL –
Top tacklers
  • CLE –
  • DAL –

After being down 13–0 against the Browns in the first half, the Cowboys outscored the Browns 20–7 to send the game into overtime. The Cowboys kicked the game-winning field goal and improved to 5–5 on the season and 2nd place in the NFC East.

Week 12: vs. Washington Redskins

Thanksgiving Day game
Week Twelve: Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 28 01038
Cowboys 3 0 101831

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 90,166
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver and Erin Andrews
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • WAS –
  • DAL –
Top rushers
  • WAS –
  • DAL –
Top receivers
  • WAS –
  • DAL –
Top tacklers
  • WAS –
  • DAL –

With the loss to their long-time rival the Washington Redskins during a Thanksgiving Day showdown, the Cowboys dropped to 5–6 on the season and 6–1 against the Redskins on Thanksgiving. Along with the loss, the Cowboys also lost 2 key defensive players for an extended period of time. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick broke his left hand, but the team was still hopeful that he would be able to return before the end of the season. But of the three injuries suffered during the game, Bruce Carter's was probably the most devastating. Carter dislocated his left elbow during the game and was out for the rest of the season after having surgery. At that point, the Cowboys had lost 4 starters on defense due to injuries, and were on their 3rd and 4th string middle linebackers after losing both Carter and Sean Lee for the season. Also the Cowboys lost starting receiver Miles Austin to a hip strain caused by linebacker London Fletcher in the back of the end zone. Although he did not return to the game, he was cleared to play for the Cowboys' week 13 game.

Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week Thirteen: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Eagles 7 10 7933
Cowboys 0 10 72138

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: December 2
  • Game time: 7:20 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 81,851
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Week 14: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Fourteen: Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 3 7 01020
Bengals 10 3 6019

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati

  • Date: December 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 63,590
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, and Laura Okmin
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • CIN- Josh Brown, 25-yard field goal, 9:26 (CIN 16–10)
  • CIN- Josh Brown, 52-yard field goal, 6:50 (CIN 19–10)
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Week 15: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Fifteen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Steelers 0 10 77024
Cowboys 3 7 77327

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: December 16
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), clear skies
  • Game attendance: 95,595
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • PIT –
  • DAL –
Top rushers
  • PIT –
  • DAL –
Top receivers
  • PIT –
  • DAL –
Top tacklers
  • PIT –
  • DAL –

Week 16: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Sixteen: New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Saints 7 10 77334
Cowboys 0 14 314031

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 92,570
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • NO –
  • DAL –
Top rushers
  • NO –
  • DAL –
Top receivers
  • NO –
  • DAL –
Top tacklers
  • NO –
  • DAL –

The loss dropped Dallas to 8–7 and mathematically eliminated them from gaining a wild card spot. However, if they were to beat the Washington Redskins in week 17, Dallas would win the NFC East.

Week 17: at Washington Redskins

Week Seventeen: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 7 01118
Redskins 0 7 71428

at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST/7:20 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 82,845
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
Game information

First quarter
None
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

With the loss, Dallas ended the season with an 8–8 record, and missed the playoffs for the third straight season. The Cowboys loss marks their third season finale loss in the last five seasons where they faced a win-or-go-home situation for the playoffs. All those season finale games came against NFC East opponents. In 2008, they lost 44–6 to the Philadelphia Eagles failing to clinch a wild card spot. In 2011, they lost 31–14 to the New York Giants failing to win the NFC East title. The loss also brought their record in Week 17 games to 2–11 since 2000.

Season recap

The Cowboys started the season on September 5, playing a Wednesday game for the first time in franchise history.{{http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/season-schedule?season=2012date=December 2012}}

Against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 11 during the fourth quarter, the Cowboys became the second team in NFL history to score touchdowns via interception, fumble return and punt return in the same quarter. The first one was the San Francisco 49ers in 1966.

Standings

NFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Washington Redskins 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 436 388 W7
New York Giants 9 7 0 .563 3–3 8–4 429 344 W1
Dallas Cowboys 8 8 0 .500 3–3 5–7 376 400 L2
Philadelphia Eagles 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 280 444 L3

Footnotes

^[a] The Week 17 game was originally going to be aired on Fox which, due to playoff implications, competed with NBC for the slot.[3] The game was ultimately moved to NBC.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "2012 NFL Draft Pick Transactions". ProSportsTransactions.com.
  2. ↑ http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/11/05/witten-becomes-cowboys-all-time-receptions-leader/
  3. ↑ Hanzus, Dan (2012-12-22). "Fox, NBC vie for piece of Cowboys-Redskins showdown". National Football League. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  4. ↑ Michael David Smith (2012-12-23). "Cowboys-Redskins flexed to Sunday Night Football in Week 17". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved 2012-12-27.

External links

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