In this article we will explore the impact and relevance of 2024 Dallas Cowboys season in today's society. Since its emergence, 2024 Dallas Cowboys season has captured the attention of academics, experts and citizens in general, becoming a topic of interest and research in various areas of knowledge. Throughout history, 2024 Dallas Cowboys season has significantly influenced the development of humanity, playing a fundamental role in shaping our collective identity and the evolution of our social relationships. Through detailed analysis, we will examine the multiple facets and dimensions of 2024 Dallas Cowboys season, understanding its impact in the past, present and future, as well as its relevance in the current context.
The 2024 season was the Dallas Cowboys' 65th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fifth and final season under head coachMike McCarthy. This was their first season since 2020 without Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator, as the Washington Commanders hired him to be their head coach. He was replaced in that role by former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, who returned to the Cowboys after eighteen years. The Cowboys failed to improve upon their 12–5 record from the past three seasons following a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 and guaranteed a worse record after suffering their sixth loss the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles. After the Eagles defeated the Carolina Panthers in Week 14, the Cowboys were knocked out of NFC East contention, marking the 20th straight season the division would not have a repeat champion. With the Commanders upsetting the Eagles in Week 16, the Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2020.[1] After their 41–7 loss at Philadelphia in Week 17, the Cowboys suffered a losing season for the first time since that same year and were also swept by the Eagles for the first time since 2011. In addition, with the Commanders reaching the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1992, the Cowboys currently hold the longest active NFC Championship appearance drought, not having made it since 1996.
For the first time since 2010, offensive tackle Tyron Smith was not on the roster, as he signed with the New York Jets during free agency.[2] On April 29, running back Ezekiel Elliott signed a one-year contract to return to the team after a year away.[3]
The Cowboys notably struggled at home, going 2–7. Conversely, they performed moderately well on the road by going 5–3.
^ abcThe Cowboys traded a first-round selection (24th overall) and a 2025 seventh-round selection to the Detroit Lions in exchange for first- and third-round selections (29th and 73rd overall).[4]
^The Cowboys traded a fourth-round selection (124th overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for QB Trey Lance.[5]
^The Cowboys traded a fifth-round selection (159th overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round selection (178th overall).[6]
^The Cowboys traded a sixth-round selection (200th overall) and a 2023 fifth-round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for WR Brandin Cooks.[7]
^The Cowboys traded a 2023 sixth-round selection to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a seventh-round selection (233rd overall) and DT Johnathan Hankins.[8]
Despite the Cowboys falling behind 28–6 after three quarters, which included a franchise-record 65-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey in the first quarter, the Cowboys nearly mounted a comeback. Following a Ravens missed field goal, the Cowboys were able to score a touchdown to cut the score to 28–12. The Cowboys then proceeded to recover an onside kick and score another touchdown to cut down the lead to 28–18. Despite the subsequent onside kick attempt being unsuccessful, the Cowboys defense forced a stop and got the ball back with over five and a half minutes remaining, and the Cowboys were able to score another touchdown to cut the lead down to 28–25. However, the Cowboys were unable to get a defensive stop and proceeded to lose by that score.[11] This was the first time since 2010 the Cowboys started 0–2 at home.
Week 4: at New York Giants
Week 4: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – Game summary
A thunderstorm delayed the game, pushing the original start time from 8:20 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. EDT. The game ended with a Dallas victory at 12:59 a.m. EDT, marking the longest day in NFL history since the 1970 AFL–NFL merger at 15 hours and 37 minutes (the game between the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings had kicked off in London at 9:30 a.m. EDT).[13] The Cowboys improved to 3–2 with the win.
Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 6: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
During the game, quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a hamstring injury and missed the remainder of the game. Prescott would later undergo surgery for what was revealed as a partial tendon avulsion, causing him to miss the rest of the season.[14]
With their third straight loss (their longest losing streak since 2020), the Cowboys fell to 3–5.
Week 10: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 10: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
The Cowboys set an NFL record by trailing by over 20 points in six straight home games, dating back to last season's wild-card loss to the Packers, and fell to 3–7. This was their first-ever home loss to the Texans.
Week 12: at Washington Commanders
Week 12: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders – Game summary
WAS – Terry McLaurin – 5 receptions, 102 yards, TD
Despite entering as 10.5 point underdogs, the Cowboys shocked their division rivals, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns in the game, and snapped their five-game losing streak, improving to 4–7.
With the win, the Cowboys improved to 5–7 and won at home for the first time this season. They also swept the Giants for the fourth consecutive season.
Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys – Game Summary
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Bengals
7
10
0
10
27
Cowboys
7
3
7
3
20
at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Date: December 9
Game time: 7:15 p.m. CST
Game weather: Clear, 59 °F (15 °C) (retractable roof open)
Game attendance: 92,587
Referee: Scott Novak
TV announcers (ESPN/ABC): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Lisa Salters
The Cowboys continued their homestand with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Dallas entered this game having been eliminated from contention for the NFC East title due to the Philadelphia Eagles' win over the Carolina Panthers the day before. In addition, the retractable roof of AT&T Stadium was opened for the first time since 2022. While the Cowboys played the Bengals close for most of the game, a devastating special teams blunder would ultimately cost them the game — after the Cowboys blocked a Bengals punt late in the fourth quarter, Amani Oruwariye would inadvertently touch the ball past the line of scrimmage, which the Bengals recovered. Three plays later, Joe Burrow threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to Ja'Marr Chase with 1:09 remaining. The Cowboys failed to respond on their final drive, and dropped to 5–8 on the season. This was the Cowboys' first loss to the Bengals since the 2004 season, as well as their first home loss to Cincinnati since 1988.
Week 15: at Carolina Panthers
Week 15: Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
The Cowboys traveled to Philadelphia seeking to avenge their Week 10 loss. A promising opening drive for the Cowboys ended in disaster when Cooper Rush threw a 69-yard pick six to C. J. Gardner-Johnson to give the Eagles a 7–0 lead. The Cowboys responded with a twelve-play, 70-yard drive culminating in a game-tying Jalen Tolbert touchdown reception for what ultimately would be Dallas's only points of the afternoon. After the teams traded punts twice, the Eagles reclaimed a 14–7 lead with a DeVonta Smith touchdown and never looked back. The Cowboys turned the ball over twice before halftime, leading to 10 more Eagles points and a 24–7 deficit. Philadelphia then scored 17 points in the second half to put the game out of reach for Dallas. With the crushing 41–7 loss, the Cowboys dropped to 7–9 on the year, thus sealing their first losing season since 2020. It was also the first time since 2011 that the Cowboys were swept by the Eagles.
Week 18: vs. Washington Commanders
Week 18: Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
With the close loss the Cowboys finished the season at 7–10. They also finished the year 2–7 at home, their worst home record since 2015. Eight days after the loss, on January 13, the Cowboys announced that head coach Mike McCarthy's contract would not be renewed as the team could not reach an agreement with him on an extension, thus ending his tenure in Dallas.[15]
