2014 Dallas Cowboys season

2014 Dallas Cowboys season
Head coach Jason Garrett
General manager Jerry Jones
Owner Jerry Jones
Home field AT&T Stadium
Results
Record 12–4
Division place 1st NFC East
Playoff finish Won Wild Card Playoffs (Lions) 24–20
Lost Divisional Playoffs (Packers) 21–26
Pro Bowlers Dez Bryant WR,
Travis Frederick C,
L. P. Ladouceur LS,
Zack Martin G,
DeMarco Murray RB,
Tony Romo QB,
Tyron Smith LT,
Jason Witten TE
AP All-Pros Dez Bryant (1st team),
Zack Martin (1st team),
DeMarco Murray (1st team),
Tyron Smith (1st team),
Travis Frederick (2nd team),
Tony Romo (2nd team)
Uniform

The 2014 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 55th season in the National Football League, the sixth playing their home games at AT&T Stadium and the fourth full season under head coach Jason Garrett.

2014 draft class

Main article: 2014 NFL draft
2014 Dallas Cowboys Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 16 Zack Martin OT Notre Dame
2 34 DeMarcus Lawrence DE Boise State
4 119 Anthony Hitchens LB Iowa
5 146 Devin Street WR Pittsburgh
7 231 Ben Gardner DE Stanford
7 238 Will Smith LB Texas Tech
7 248 Ahmad Dixon S Baylor
7 251 Ken Bishop DT Northern Illinois
7 254 Terrance Mitchell CB Oregon
Compensatory selection
Notes

Offseason

After the departure of long time Cowboy favorites DE/LB DeMarcus Ware and DT Jason Hatcher to free agency, coupled with a season ending knee injury to MLB Sean Lee during Organized Team Activity in late May, the Dallas Cowboys, were one of the most heavily admonished, and second guessed NFL franchises through the entire preseason, and half-way into the 2014 regular season. Much of the criticism was in response to the Cowboys selecting Notre Dame offensive guard Zack Martin over the perceived Cowboys savior (Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel) in the first round of the NFL draft. Even Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was uncharacteristically down playing expectations for the upcoming season during spring training, emphasizing to the media and fans, that it might take a little more time for the Cowboys young players to mature into a NFL championship caliber team.

Regular season

Adding injury to the many insults hurled at Jerry Jones, Tony Romo and the Cowboys organization in general, Tony Romo did not play well during two preseason starts after receiving only a small percentage of snaps throughout training camp, due to continuing recovery from off-season surgery to repair a herniated intervertebral disc in his lower back. For these reasons, Romo and the Cowboys passing offense struggled mightily for the first two games of the regular season, causing many fans and media to declare the Dallas Cowboys as the absolute worst team in the league after their week 1 loss to the 49ers at AT&T Stadium. A humiliating turnover led to defeat for Dallas, which appeared to prove all the Cowboy critics right, that Jerry Jones should have selected QB Johnny "Football" Manziel in the first round of the NFL 2014 draft to eventually replace. By season's end, not only would Tony Romo have the highest quarterback rating (113.2) in the NFL for the 2014 regular season but, first round pick (OG Zack Martin) would have a well deserved All-Pro season while establishing himself as a critical piece in the development of what many now consider to be, the best offensive line in the entire NFL.

Following a win against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16 (and after the Philadelphia Eagles loss to the Washington Redskins), the Cowboys won the NFC East. This also guaranteed making the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The Cowboys improved on their 8–8 record from 2013 after finishing 12–4. For the season, the team was 8–0 on the road. Plenty of milestones were established by the 2014 Cowboys team, topped by DeMarco Murray’s record-setting rushing season. The Cowboys defeated the Detroit Lions at home 24-20 in the Wild Card round and advanced to the Divisional Playoffs. However, the Green Bay Packers defeated them 26-21, handing the Cowboys their first road loss and ending their season.

Staff

2014 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 – Will McClay
  • Director of Football Administration – Todd Williams
  • Assistant Director of Pro Scouting – Judd Garrett

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches
  • Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line – Rod Marinelli
  • Linebackers – Matt Eberflus
  • Secondary – Jerome Henderson
  • Assistant Secondary – Joe Baker
  • Defensive Assistant/Defensive Line – Leon Lett
  • Defensive Quality Control/Linebackers – Ben Bloom
  • Defensive Assistant – Turner West

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator – Rich Bisaccia
  • Assistant Special Teams/Kickers – Keith O'Quinn

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Mike Woicik
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Brett Bech
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Kendall Smith

Rosters

Opening preseason roster

2014 Dallas Cowboys opening preseason roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

 Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

 Reserve Lists

90 Active, 5 Inactive

Week one roster

2014 Dallas Cowboys 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, 12 Inactive, 10 Practice Squad

Final roster

2014 Dallas Cowboys final roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

 Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

 Reserve Lists

Practice squad

53 Active, 10 Inactive, 11 Practice Squad

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 7 at San Diego Chargers L 7–27 0–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
2 August 16 Baltimore Ravens L 30–37 0–2 AT&T Stadium Recap
3 August 23 at Miami Dolphins L 20–25 0–3 Sun Life Stadium Recap
4 August 28 Denver Broncos L 3–27 0–4 AT&T Stadium Recap

Regular season

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 7 San Francisco 49ers L 17–28 0–1 AT&T Stadium Recap
2 September 14 at Tennessee Titans W 26–10 1–1 LP Field Recap
3 September 21 at St. Louis Rams W 34–31 2–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap
4 September 28 New Orleans Saints W 38–17 3–1 AT&T Stadium Recap
5 October 5 Houston Texans W 20–17 (OT) 4–1 AT&T Stadium Recap
6 October 12 at Seattle Seahawks W 30–23 5–1 CenturyLink Field Recap
7 October 19 New York Giants W 31–21 6–1 AT&T Stadium Recap
8 October 27 Washington Redskins L 17–20 (OT) 6–2 AT&T Stadium Recap
9 November 2 Arizona Cardinals L 17–28 6–3 AT&T Stadium Recap
10 November 9 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 31–17 7–3 Wembley Stadium (London, England) Recap
11 Bye
12 November 23 at New York Giants W 31–28 8–3 MetLife Stadium Recap
13 November 27 Philadelphia Eagles L 10–33 8–4 AT&T Stadium Recap
14 December 4 at Chicago Bears W 41–28 9–4 Soldier Field Recap
15 December 14 at Philadelphia Eagles W 38–27 10–4 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
16 December 21 Indianapolis Colts W 42–7 11–4 AT&T Stadium Recap
17 December 28 at Washington Redskins W 44–17 12–4 FedEx Field Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Postseason

Playoff round Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
Wild Card January 4, 2015 Detroit Lions (6) W 24–20 1–0 AT&T Stadium Recap
Divisional January 11, 2015 at Green Bay Packers (2) L 21–26 1–1 Lambeau Field Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week One: San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
49ers 21 7 0028
Cowboys 3 0 7717

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • SF – Carlos Hyde 4-yard run, Phil Dawson kick, 00:43 (SF 28–3)
Third quarter
  • DAL – DeMarco Murray 2-yard run, Dan Bailey kick, 00:33 (SF 28–10)
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Game Notes

Dallas Cowboys are now 16-17-1 against the San Francisco 49ers from 1960-2014.

Week 2: at Tennessee Titans

Week Two: Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 3 13 7326
Titans 0 0 10010

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: September 14
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 69,143
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 48-yard field goal, 0:18 (Dal 3-0)
Second quarter
  • DAL – DeMarco Murray 3-yard run, Dan Bailey kick, 13:02 (Dal 10-0)
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 44-yard field goal, 01:07 (Dal 13-0)
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 52-yard field goal, 0:09 (Dal 16-0)
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 48-yard field goal, 8:20 (Dal 26-10)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Game Notes

The Cowboys haven't started 0-2 since 2010 when Wade Phillips was fired midway through the season and Jason Garrett was promoted to head coach.

Week 3: at St. Louis Rams

Week Three: Dallas Cowboys at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 10 101434
Rams 7 14 01031

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • Rams – Brian Quick 51 yard pass from Austin Davis, (Greg Zuerlein kick), 15:00 (Rams 14-0)
  • Rams – Janoris Jenkins 25 yard interception return (Greg Zuerlein kick), 6:13 (Rams 21-0)
  • DAL – DeMarco Murray 1 yard rush (Dan Bailey kick), 2:10 (Rams 21-7)
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 29 yard field goal, 0:05 (Rams 21-10)
Third quarter
  • DAL – Dez Bryant 68 yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 12:58 (Rams 21-17)
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 40 yard field goal, 2:49 (Rams 21-20)
Fourth quarter
  • Rams – Greg Zuerlein 28 yard field goal, 13:31 (Rams 24-20)
  • DAL – Terrance Williams 12 yard pass from Tony Romo, (Dan Bailey kick), 6:21 (Dal 27-24)
  • DAL – Bruce Carter 25 yard interception return (Dan Bailey kick), 6:06 (Dal 34-24)
  • Rams – Austin Pettis 4 yard pass from Austin Davis, (Greg Zuerlein kick), 2:41 (Dal 34-31)
Top passers
  • DAL –Tony Romo, 18/23, 214 Yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 68 Lng
  • STL –Austin Davis, 30/42, 327 Yds, 3 TD, 2 INT, 52 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers

Game Notes

The Cowboys 21 point comeback win against the Rams was a new Cowboys record for the largest point deficit that a Cowboys team has ever come back from and won - in a game that didn't go into overtime. It also became the third 21 point comeback victory in Cowboys history. The other two coming in overtime in 1984 against New Orleans and 1999 against Washington.

The Rams 2nd quarter 21 point lead is the second-largest lead blown by the Rams. The biggest deficit overcome by a Rams opponent is 23 points by the Packers in 1982, and Denver had a 21-point rally in 1982.

Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey set a franchise record by making his 28th field goal in a row on a 40-yarder in the third quarter. Cowboys kicker Chris Boniol hit 27 straight field goals in 1996.

Week 4: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Four: New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Saints 0 0 31417
Cowboys 7 17 7738

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • NO – Drew Brees, 32/44, 340 Yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 46 Lng
  • DAL – Tony Romo, 22/29, 262 Yds, 3 TD, 0 INT, 24 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • NO –
  • DAL –

Game Notes

After 4 weeks of regular season play, DeMarco Murray found himself in elite company with his 149-yard 2 touchdown performance against the Saints, joining Jim Brown, O. J. Simpson and former Cowboy Emmitt Smith as the only players to rush for 100 or more yards, while scoring a touchdown, in the first four games of a season.

The Cowboys three-game winning streak was their first since the 2012 season.

Week 5: vs. Houston Texans

Week Five: Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Texans 0 0 710017
Cowboys 0 3 77320

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter
  • No Score
Second quarter
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 33 yard field goal, 0:16 (Dal 3-0)
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Overtime
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 49 yard field goal, 8:37 (Dal 20-17)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • HOU –
  • DAL –

Game Notes

After hauling in a 34 yard completion from Tony Romo mid-way though the third quarter, Cowboys TE Jason Witten surpassed 10,000 receiving yards for his career, making him only the 3rd tight end in NFL history to do so. Witten’s 59-yard day against the Texans left him just 46 yards shy of the No. 2 position currently held by Shannon Sharpe with 10,060 career receiving yards. Tony Gonzalez leads all tight ends in career receiving yards at 15,127, respectively.

The (4-1) Cowboys four-game winning streak was their first since 2011, and their best start since 2008.

Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Six: Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 10 31030
Seahawks 10 0 10323

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DAL – Tony Romo, 21/32, 250 Yds, 2 TD, 0 INT, 47 Lng
  • SEA – Russell Wilson, 14/28, 126 Yds, 0 TD, 1 INT, 53 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • SEA –

Game Notes

DeMarco Murray's 115 yard rushing day against the Seahawks, made him only the second running back in NFL history - next to Jim Brown - to rush for 100 yards in the first 6 games of the season. Jim Brown did it for the first six games of the 1958 season.

With the victory, the Cowboys improved to 5-1 on the season, their best record since the 2007 campaign.

Dallas became the first team outside the NFC West to win in Seattle since 2011.

Five days after Seattle's loss at home to the Cowboys, the Seahawks traded WR Percy Harvin to the New York Jets for an undisclosed draft selection. It was reported that the surprisingly sudden move by Seattle was due in large part to Harvin refusing to return to the game in the fourth quarter. While Percy Harvin had a 46-yard kickoff return, Harvin's total yardage for rushing and receiving was -1 yard against the Cowboys.

Dan Bailey's 3rd quarter 42-yard field goal made him 100-for-110 on field goals for his career, making him the most accurate kicker in NFL history with a FG percentage of 90.826% from 2011-2014. Mike Vanderjagt is second in all-time NFL accuracy with a FG percentage of 86.466% from 1998-2006. Stephen Gostkowski is a close third in NFL accuracy with a FG percentage of 86.328% from 2006-2014.

Week 7: vs. New York Giants

Week Seven: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Giants 0 14 0721
Cowboys 7 7 71031

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 91,028
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman and Charissa Thompson
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • NYG – Eli Manning, 21/33, 248 Yds, 3 TD, 0 INT, 27 Lng
  • DAL – Tony Romo, 17/23, 279 Yds, 3 TD, 1 INT, 44 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • NYG –
  • DAL –

Game Notes

DeMarco Murray continued his amazing season by rushing for his seventh straight 100-yard game to start a season, breaking the record held by the great Jim Brown.

With the win over the Giants, the Cowboys improved to a league best 6-1 on the season, moved into sole possession of first place in the NFC East due to the Eagles having a bye week. This is the Cowboys best start to a season since 2007 when the Cowboys also went 6-1 after the first 7 games.

Week 8: vs. Washington Redskins

Week Eight: Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Redskins 3 0 77320
Cowboys 0 7 37017

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter
  • WAS – Kai Forbath 44-yard field goal, 09:52 (WAS 3–0)
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • WAS – Alfred Morris 5-yard run, Kai Forbath kick, 09:56 (WAS 10–7)
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 21-yard field goal, 04:07 (Tied 10–10)
Fourth quarter
Overtime
  • WAS – Kai Forbath 40-yard field goal, 09:48 (WAS 20–17)
Top passers
  • WAS – Colt McCoy, 25/30, 299 Yds, 0 TD, 1 INT, 49 Lng
  • DAL – Tony Romo, 17/28, 209 Yds, 1 TD, 0 INT, 34 Lng
  • DAL – Brandon Weeden, 4/6, 69 Yds, 1 TD, 0 INT, 25 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • WAS –
  • DAL –

Game Notes

Colt McCoy completed 83.3 percent of his passes, (25-30 for 299 yds) the most in Redskins history by a quarterback with at least 30 attempts.

Murray extended his 100 yard game rushing streak to eight games with 19 carries for 141 yards vs Washington.

The game was the 107th meeting in 54 years between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. After the loss to Washington, the Cowboys now have a total of 64 wins to 41 losses and 2 ties in 54 years.

Including the loss to the Redskins on Monday Night, the Cowboys have played in a total of 75 Monday Night games and have an overall record of 43-32.

Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week Nine: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 14 01428
Cowboys 10 0 0717

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: November 2
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), cloudy (retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 85,688
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
  • DAL –Tyler Patmon 58 yard interception return (Dan Bailey kick), 11:07 (DAL 7-0)
  • DAL –Dan Bailey 52 yard field goal, 4:08 (DAL 10-0)
Second quarter
Third quarter

No Score

Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • ARI –
  • DAL –

Game Notes

Brandon Weeden started in place of Tony Romo, who had injured himself the week prior. Weeden had a rough time of it against the stingy Cardinals defense, throwing two interceptions and only managed to compile 183 yards through the air.

It was the Cowboys' third home loss of the season, and the same score as the season opener against the 49ers. The Cardinals also managed to hold DeMarco Murray under the 100-yard mark, the first team to do so in 2014.

Week 10: at Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL International Series
Week Ten: Dallas Cowboys at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 10 14 7031
Jaguars 7 0 01017

at Wembley Stadium, London, England

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. GMT/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 83,603
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • DAL - Joseph Randle 40 yard rush (Dan Bailey kick), 7:44 (DAL 31-7)
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DAL – Tony Romo, 20/27, 246 Yds, 3 TD, 0 INT, 68 Lng
  • JAX – Blake Bortles, 22/37, 290 Yds, 0 TD, 1 INT, 53 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Game Notes

Tony Romo's return was a successful one, as the Cowboys went across the pond and posted a comfortable win over one of the worst teams in the league.

Dez Bryant had a monster day receiving, catching six passes for 158 yards and two scores all in the first half. DeMarco Murray got back in the 100-yard category after losing his streak in the loss to the Cardinals the week before.

Week 12: at New York Giants

Week Twelve: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 3 7 14731
Giants 7 14 0728

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 80,520
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DAL – Tony Romo, 18/26, 279 Yds, 4 TD, 0 INT, 45 Lng
  • NYG – Eli Manning, 29/40, 338 Yds, 3 TD, 1 INT, 43 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • NYG –

Game Notes

The Cowboys swept their season series against the NY Giants for the second year in a row. The Cowboys have beaten the Giants 5 out of the last 6 meetings from 2012-2014.

After holding the Cowboys to a three-and-out the Giants struck marched 80 yards in over 7 minutes to strike first on a

With the win, Dallas improved to 8-3 on the season, setting up a showdown with the 8-3 Eagles for first place in the NFC East on Thanksgiving Day.

DeMarco Murray went over 100 yards yet again, rushing for 121 yards but failed to get in the end zone.

NY Giants rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. would finish his historic night with 10 catches for 146 yards and two scores.

Celebrity Rapper and New York City native Jay Z attended the game at MetLife Stadium and was seen having a brief conversation with Jerry Jones on the field prior to kickoff. This was some what of an event due to Jay Z's agency, Roc Nation, signing on as Dez Bryant’s representation earlier in the month. The pair spoke briefly before the game, which led to questions about whether they were discussing Bryant’s contract negotiations. Jones later claimed that the brief conversation had nothing to do with contract negotiations.

Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Thanksgiving Day game
Week Thirteen: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Eagles 14 9 7333
Cowboys 0 7 3010

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 91,379
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • DAL – DeMarco Murray 1 yard rush (Dan Bailey kick), 15:00 (PHI 14-7)
  • PHI – Cody Parkey 31 yard field goal, 12:14 (PHI 17-7)
  • PHI – Cody Parkey 22 yard field goal, 1:39 (PHI 20-7)
  • PHI – Cody Parkey 26 yard field goal, 0:24 (PHI 23-7)
Third quarter
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 28 yard field goal, 9:16 (PHI 23-10)
  • PHI – LeSean McCoy 38 yard rush (Cody Parkey kick), 7:29 (PHI 30-10)
Fourth quarter
  • PHI – Cody Parkey 26 yard field goal, 11:05 (PHI 33-10)
Top passers
  • PHI – Mark Sanchez, 20/29, 217 Yds, 1 TD, 0 INT, 58 Lng
  • DAL – Tony Romo, 18/29, 199 Yds, 0 TD, 2 INT, 38 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • PHI –
  • DAL –

Game Notes

With the 33-10 victory against Dallas, the Eagles are now 2-0 against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day and 6-0 overall for Thanksgiving games.

Tony Romo's 38 game streak with at least one touchdown pass came to an end against Philadelphia. Romo's 38 game touchdown streak is the longest in franchise history and fifth longest in NFL history and the second-longest among active streaks, behind Peyton Manning’s 50. Romo was 18 of 29 for 199 yards and 0 TD's in the loss.

It was the fourth loss of the season for Dallas at home, and DeMarco Murray failed to break 100 yards for only the second time this season.

Week 14: at Chicago Bears

Week Fourteen: Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 14 21641
Bears 0 7 02128

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

First quarter

No Score

Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
  • CHI – Alshon Jeffery 27 yard pass from Jay Cutler (Jay Feely kick), 15:00 (Dal 35-14)
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 35 yard field goal, 12:41 (Dal 38-14)
  • CHI – Matt Forte 1 yard rush (Matt Forte run for 2 points), 7:22 (Dal 38-21)
  • CHI – Jay Cutler 10 yard rush (Jay Feely kick), 6:16 (Dal 38-28)
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 27 yard field goal, 3:44 (Dal 41-28)
Top passers
  • DAL –Tony Romo, 21/26, 205 Yds, 3 TD, 0 INT, 43 Lng
  • CHI –Jay Cutler, 32/46, 341 Yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 42 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • CHI –

Game Notes

With the win, the Cowboys avoided going 8-8 for the first time since 2010, and clinched a winning season, the first since the 2009 team won the NFC East and won a playoff game.

After defeating the Bears in Chicago, the Cowboys are 6-0 on the road after 13 games into their 2014 season. Oddly enough, the last time Dallas lost on the road was in Chicago 45-28 nearly a year ago on December 9, 2013. A devastating loss to the Bears that began the (7-5) Cowboys late season slide, losing 3 out of their 4 final games, ending the year with a 3rd straight 8-8 season and no playoff appearance for the 4th year in a row.

Week 15: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week Fifteen: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 14 7 71038
Eagles 0 10 14327

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 41 °F (5 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 69,596
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • DAL – Dez Bryant 26 yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 12:01 (Dal 21-0)
  • PHI – Chris Polk 5 Yard Rush (Cody Parkey kick), 8:36 (Dal 21-7)
  • PHI – Cody Parkey 47 yard field goal, 1:53 (Dal 21-10)
Third quarter
  • PHI – Chris Polk 1 Yard Rush (Cody Parkey kick), 8:51 (Dal 21-17)
  • PHI – Darren Sproles 1 Yard Rush (Cody Parkey kick), 5:47 (Phi 24-21)
  • DAL – DeMarco Murray 2 Yard Rush (Dan Bailey kick), 0:50 (Dal 28-24)
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DAL – Tony Romo, 22/31, 265 Yds, 3 TD, 0 INT, 26 Lng
  • PHI – Mark Sanchez, 17/28, 252 Yds, 0 TD, 2 INT, 72 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • PHI –

Game Notes

For the second consecutive year, Dallas and Philadelphia would split the season series with the road team winning all four games. Dallas has now won 5 out of their last 6 meetings in Philadelphia.

With the win, the Cowboys took a one-game lead in the NFC East with two games to go.

The victory over the Eagles in Philadelphia improved the Cowboys road record to 7-0 for the season.

Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week Sixteen: Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Colts 0 0 077
Cowboys 14 14 7742

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 91,899
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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

Game Notes

Including the 2014 season, the Cowboys have won the NFC East 22 times in their 54-year history.

After quarterback Tony Romo completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to TE Jason Witten late in the third quarter, Romo eclipsed Troy Aikman as the all-time leader in passing yards in franchise history. The throw put Romo at 32,961 passing yards in his career, passing Aikman's career total of 32,942. Romo finished the game with 218 yards, putting him at 32,971 for his career.

At the start of the game, Murray had a total of 1,686 yards on the season and needed only 87 yards to pass Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith’s team record for the most rushing yards in a single season with 1,773 yards set in 1995. However, with Murray still nursing the injury, coupled with an early Cowboys rout, Murray ended up with only 22 carries for 59 yards on the day, leaving him with a total of 1,745 yards for the year, just 28 yards short of Smith's single season record with one more game left to be played.

Week 17: at Washington Redskins

Week Seventeen: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 17 10 01744
Redskins 7 3 0717

at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 32-yard field goal, 11:35 (DAL 20–7)
  • DAL – DeMarco Murray 9 yard rush (Dan Bailey kick), 8:17 (DAL 27–7)
  • WAS – Kai Forbath 25 yard field goal, 1:25 (DAL 27–10)
Third quarter

No Scoring

Fourth quarter
  • WAS – Robert Griffin 2 yard rush (Kai Forbath kick), 6:52 (DAL 27–17)
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 23-yard field goal, 3:36 (DAL 30–17)
  • DAL – Anthony Spencer 5 yard fumble return (Dan Bailey kick), 3:18 (DAL 37–17)
  • DAL – Joseph Randle 65 yard rush (Dan Bailey kick), 1:49 (DAL 44–17)
Top passers
  • DAL – Tony Romo, 22/34, 299 Yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 65 Lng
  • WAS – Robert Griffin, 27/41, 336 Yds, 1 TD, 2 INT, 69 Lng
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • WAS –

Game Notes

With the victory, the Cowboys finished 12-4 on the season, their best record since the team’s 13-3 campaign of 2007.

DeMarco Murray made Cowboys history by finishing the season with 1,845 yards on 393 carries, surpassing Emmitt Smith's record of 1,773 in 1995; the 32-yard carry was Murray's longest since a 40-yard carry on December 4 against the Chicago Bears.

Dez Bryant also made Cowboys history by catching 2 touchdown passes, giving him a total of 16 TD receptions on the year, breaking Terrell Owens previous single season TD reception record of 15 in 2007 (the second touchdown was originally called incomplete by the refs, but was overturned after review).

The game was the 108th meeting in 54 years between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. the Cowboys all-time record versus the Redskins is 65-41-2 after 54 years.

Postseason

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (6) Detroit Lions

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (6) Detroit Lions at (3) Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Lions 14 3 3020
Cowboys 0 7 71024

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • DAL – Terrance Williams 76-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 1:37. Lions 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 74 yards, 0:38.
  • DET – Matt Prater 39-yard field goal, 0:03. Lions 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 1:34.
Third quarter
  • DET – Matt Prater 37-yard field goal, 8:41. Lions 20–7. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 4:03.
  • DAL – DeMarco Murray 1-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 2:54. Lions 20–14. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:47.
Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 51-yard field goal, 12:16. Lions 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 4:00.
  • DAL – Terrance Williams 8-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 2:32. Cowboys 24–20. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 5:38.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Game Notes

The Dallas Cowboys now lead the all time Head-to-Head match-up against the Detroit Lions (14-12). The Cowboys also lead the all time playoff match-up against the Lions (2-1).

This is the first time in franchise history that the Cowboys have won a post-season game when trailing by 10 points or more at half time.

With this win over the Lions, the Cowboys now have the most NFL playoffs wins with 34, one more than the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NFC Divisional Playoffs: at (2) Green Bay Packers

NFC Divisional Playoffs: (3) Dallas Cowboys at (2) Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 7 7021
Packers 7 3 10626

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: January 11, 2015
  • Game time: 12:05 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 24 °F (−4 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 79,704
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Chris Myers
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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

Game Notes

The Packers defeated the Cowboys 26-21, effectively ending their season. The Packers handed the Cowboys their first road loss of the season, snapping a 9 game road winning streak that began in Week 16 of the 2013 season against the Washington Redskins.

Standings

Division

NFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Dallas Cowboys 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 467 352 W4
Philadelphia Eagles 10 6 0 .625 4–2 6–6 474 400 W1
New York Giants 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 380 400 L1
Washington Redskins 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 301 438 L1

Conference

# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA PD STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Seattle Seahawks West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 394 254 140 W6
2[lower-alpha 1] Green Bay Packers North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 486 348 138 W2
3[lower-alpha 1] Dallas Cowboys East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 467 352 115 W4
4 Carolina Panthers South 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 339 374 –25 W4
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 2] Arizona Cardinals West 11 5 0 .688 3–3 8–4 310 299 11 L2
6[lower-alpha 2] Detroit Lions North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 321 282 33 L1
Did not qualify for the playoffs
7 Philadelphia Eagles East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 6–6 474 400 74 W1
8 San Francisco 49ers West 8 8 0 .500 2–4 7–5 306 340 –34 W1
9[lower-alpha 3] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 401 424 –23 W1
10[lower-alpha 3] Minnesota Vikings North 7 9 0 .438 1–5 6–6 325 343 –18 W1
11[lower-alpha 4] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 380 400 –20 L1
12[lower-alpha 4] Atlanta Falcons South 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 381 417 –36 L1
13[lower-alpha 4] St. Louis Rams West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 324 354 –30 L3
14 Chicago Bears North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 319 442 –123 L5
15 Washington Redskins East 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 301 438 –137 L1
16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 277 410 –133 L6
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 5]
  1. 1 2 3 Seattle, Green Bay and Dallas were ranked in seeds 1–3 based on conference record.
  2. 1 2 Arizona defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 11, 14–6).
  3. 1 2 New Orleans defeated Minnesota head-to-head (Week 3, 20–9).
  4. 1 2 3 The New York Giants defeated both Atlanta and St. Louis head-to-head (Atlanta: Week 5, 30–20; St. Louis: Week 16, 37–27).
    Atlanta finished ahead of St. Louis based on conference record.
  5. ↑ 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.

References

  1. ↑ "2014 NFL Draft Pick Transactions". ProSportsTransactions.com.
  2. ↑ "2014 Conference Standings". NFL.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  3. ↑ "2014 NFL playoff picture". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 30, 2014.

External links

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