Editing Dallas Cowboys (section)

==== Jason Garrett years (2010–2019) ====
{{See also|Jason Garrett}}
With Garrett as interim head coach, the Cowboys finished the 2010 season 6–10 after beginning at 1–7.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkins |first=Calvin |date=2011-03-30 |title=Jason Garrett set for full-time challenge |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=watkins_calvin&id=6271933 |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> With this improvement, the Cowboys signed Garrett as the head coach for the 2011 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkins |first=Calvin |date=2011-01-06 |title=Dallas Cowboys' coach is Jason Garrett |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5995105 |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lazarus |first=Adam |date=January 6, 2011 |title=Dallas Cowboys: Will They Be Better With Jason Garrett in 2011? |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/564488-jason-garrett-will-the-cowboys-be-better-with-him-in-2011 |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref>
[[File: Tony Romo before 2008 Pro Bowl.JPEG|thumb|[[Tony Romo]], pictured here in 2008, was starting quarterback for the Cowboys from 2006 to 2015]]
To start the [[2011 Dallas Cowboys season|2011 season]] the Cowboys played the [[2011 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] on a Sunday night primetime game in New York, on September 11. The Cowboys held the lead through most of the game, until a fumble, blocked punt, and interception led to the Jets coming back to win the game. In week 2 the Cowboys traveled to San Francisco to play the [[2011 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]. In the middle of the 2nd quarter, while the Cowboys trailed 10–7, Tony Romo suffered a rib injury and was replaced by [[Jon Kitna]]. Kitna threw 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions until Romo returned in the 3rd quarter as Dallas trailed 17–7. Romo then threw 3 touchdown passes to [[Miles Austin]] as the Cowboys rallied to send the game into overtime. On their opening possession after a 49ers punt, Romo found wide receiver [[Jesse Holley]] on a 78-yard pass, which set up the game-winning field goal by rookie kicker [[Dan Bailey (American football)|Dan Bailey]].<ref name="m401">{{cite web | last=Youmans | first=Kyle | title=Countdown: Jesse Holley's Shining Moment | website=Dallas Cowboys | date=2022-06-26 | url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/countdown-jesse-holley-s-shining-moment | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The Cowboys ended the season 8–8. They were in a position to win the NFC East but lost to the [[2011 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] in a Week 17 primetime Sunday Night game on [[NBC]] which allowed the Giants to win the division.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borden |first=Sam |date=2012-01-02 |title=Giants Rout the Cowboys and Win the N.F.C. East |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/sports/football/giants-defeat-cowboys-to-take-final-playoff-spot.html |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The Giants would go on to win [[Super Bowl XLVI]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Battista |first=Judy |date=2012-02-06 |title=Giants Beat Patriots in Final Rally |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/06/sports/football/super-bowl-resilient-giants-edge-patriots-to-win-super-bowl-xlvi.html |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Cowboys started off the [[2012 Dallas Cowboys season|2012 season]] on a high note by defeating the defending Super Bowl champion [[2012 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] 24–17 on the opening night of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants - September 5th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201209050nyg.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> They would hover around the .500 mark for the majority of the season. They lost a close Week 6 game to eventual [[Super Bowl XLVII]] champion [[2012 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]] 31–29 at [[M&T Bank Stadium]] in Baltimore. Going into Week 17 they found themselves once again one win away from winning the division. Standing in their way were the [[2012 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]], who had beaten them on Thanksgiving at [[AT&T Stadium]] and who were one win away from their first division title since [[1999 Washington Redskins season|1999]]. Led by [[Robert Griffin III]] the Redskins defeated the Cowboys at home 28–18.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2012 |title=Alfred Morris-led Redskins take NFC East, eliminate Cowboys |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=321230028 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> Dallas once again finished the season 8–8.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2012.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In the [[2013 Dallas Cowboys season|2013 season]] the Cowboys started off by defeating the [[2013 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] for the second straight year; this time 36–31. It was the first time since 2008 that the Cowboys were able to defeat the Giants at home. The win was punctuated by [[Brandon Carr]] intercepting an [[Eli Manning]] pass for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter. For the third straight year, Dallas once again found itself stuck in the .500 area. In Week 5, they lost a shootout to the eventual AFC champion [[2013 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] 51–48.<ref name="q532">{{cite web | agency=Associated Press| title=Tony Romo throws late interception; Dallas Cowboys lose 51-48 to Denver Broncos on last-second FG | website=Dallas News | date=2013-10-06 | url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2013/10/06/tony-romo-throws-late-interception-dallas-cowboys-lose-51-48-to-denver-broncos-on-last-second-fg/ | access-date=2024-08-25}}</ref> They battled it out with the [[2013 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] for control of the division throughout the season. In December however they lost 2 crucial back-to-back games to the [[2013 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] and [[2013 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]. They were very successful in division games having a 5–0 division record heading into another Week 17 showdown for the NFC East crown against the Eagles. That included beating the [[2013 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] 24–23 on Week 16 thanks to the late-game heroics of [[Tony Romo]]. However, Romo received a severe back injury in that game which prematurely ended his season. The Cowboys called upon backup quarterback [[Kyle Orton]] to lead them into battle on the final week of the season. Orton was unsuccessful who threw a game-ending interception to the Eagles which allowed the Eagles to win 24–22. Dallas ended the year at 8–8 for the third year in a row. The two differences from this 8–8 ending compared to the others was that Dallas ended the season in second place compared to the 2 previous 3rd-place finishes, along with their season-ending defeat taking place at home instead of on the road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2013.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

To start off the [[2014 Dallas Cowboys season|2014 season]] Dallas began by losing to the [[2014 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] 28–17. After that, they went on a 6-game winning streak. The highlight of this streak was defeating the [[Super Bowl XLVIII]] champion [[2014 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] at [[CenturyLink Field]] 30–23. In Week 8, the [[2014 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] ended the Cowboys' winning streak by winning in overtime 20–17, and Romo injured his back again. He missed next week, a home loss to the [[2014 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]] 28–17 with backup quarterback [[Brandon Weeden]]. Romo returned in Week 9 to lead a 31–17 victory over the [[2014 Jacksonville Jaguars season|Jacksonville Jaguars]], which was played at [[Wembley Stadium]] in [[London, England]] as part of the [[NFL International Series]]. Dallas played their traditional Thanksgiving home game against their division rival [[2014 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]. Both teams were vying for first place in the division with identical 8–3 records. The Eagles got off to a fast start and the Cowboys were unable to catch up, losing 33–10. They would rebound the next week when they defeated the [[2014 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] 41–28. Week 15 was a rematch against 1st place Philadelphia. This time it was the Cowboys who got off to a fast start going up 21–0. Then the Eagles put up 24 points but Dallas came back to win 38–27 to go into first place for the first time in the season and improve to 10–4. Going into their Week 16 matchup at home against the [[2014 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]], Dallas was in a position to clinch their first division title since 2009 by defeating the Colts 42-7 and the Eagles losing that week to the Redskins. They became the 2014 NFC East Champions, eliminating the Eagles from the playoffs. Dallas ended the regular season with a 12–4 record and an 8–0 away record when they won on the road against Washington 44–17.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2014.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

On January 4, 2015, the Cowboys, as the number 3 seed, hosted the number 6 seed [[2014 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] in the wild-card round of the [[2014–15 NFL playoffs|NFL playoffs]]. In the game, the Lions got off to a hot start, going up 14–0 in the first quarter. Dallas initially struggled on both sides of the ball. However, towards the end of the second quarter, Romo threw a 76-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Williams. [[Matt Prater]] of the Lions would kick a field goal before halftime to go up 17–7. Dallas came out swinging to start the second half by picking off Detroit quarterback [[Matthew Stafford]] on the first play of the third quarter. However, the Cowboys failed to capitalize on the turnover, as Dan Bailey missed a field goal during Dallas's ensuing drive. Detroit then kicked another field goal to make the score 20–7. A DeMarco Murray touchdown later in that quarter closed the gap to 20–14. A 51-yard Bailey field goal almost 3 minutes into the fourth quarter trimmed the Cowboys' deficit to 3. The Lions got the ball back and started driving down the field. On 3rd down-and-1 of that Lions drive, Stafford threw a 17-yard pass intended for Lions tight end [[Brandon Pettigrew]], but the ball hit Cowboys linebacker [[Anthony Hitchens]] in the back a fraction of a second before he ran into Pettigrew. The play was initially flagged as defensive pass interference against Hitchens. However, the penalty was then nullified by the officiating crew. The Cowboys got the ball back on their 41-yard line and had a successful 59-yard drive which was capped off by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Romo to Williams to give the Cowboys their first lead of the game at 24–20. The Lions got the ball back with less than 2:30 to play in regulation. Stafford fumbled the ball at the 2-minute mark. The fumble was recovered by Cowboys defensive end [[DeMarcus Lawrence]], who then fumbled the ball which was recovered by the Lions. Lawrence would redeem himself by sacking Stafford on a 4th down-and-3 play. The sack led to Stafford fumbling the ball again, which Lawrence recovered to seal the game for the Cowboys, who won 24–20.<ref name="m743">{{cite web | last=Birkett | first=Dave | title=Dallas 24, Detroit 20: Lions out of playoffs in controversial fashion | website=Detroit Free Press | date=2015-01-05 | url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/01/04/detroit-lions-dallas-cowboys-playoffs/21269819/ | access-date=2024-08-24}}</ref> This was the first time in franchise playoff history that Dallas had been down by 10 or more points at halftime and rallied to win the game.

The following week, the Cowboys traveled to [[Lambeau Field]] in [[Green Bay, Wisconsin]] to play the [[2014 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] in the [[Dez Caught It|Divisional Round]]. Despite having a 14–7 halftime lead, the Cowboys fell to the Packers 26–21, thus ending their season. The season ended on an overturned call of a completed catch by Dez Bryant. The catch was challenged by the Packers, and the referees overturned the call because of the "Calvin Johnson rule".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Chavez |first=Chris |date=February 27, 2018 |title=NFL Competition Committee says Dez Bryant, Calvin Johnson caught it |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/02/27/nfl-competition-committee-dez-bryant-calvin-johnson-catch-rule-change-1 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}</ref>

During the 2015 offseason the Cowboys allowed running back [[DeMarco Murray]] to become a free agent. Murray signed with the [[Cowboys–Eagles rivalry|division rival]] [[Philadelphia Eagles]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=George |first=Brandon |date=July 13, 2018 |title=Flashback: The full story of how DeMarco Murray became an Eagle and the fallout from it for the Cowboys |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2018/07/13/flashback-the-full-story-of-how-demarco-murray-became-an-eagle-and-the-fallout-from-it-for-the-cowboys/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref> On July 15 wide receiver [[Dez Bryant]] signed a 5-year, $70 million contract.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dez Bryant signs new five-year, $70m deal with the Dallas Cowboys |url=https://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12118/9914261/dez-bryant-signs-new-five-year-70m-deal-with-the-dallas-cowboys |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref>

The [[2015 Dallas Cowboys season|Cowboys]] started the 2015 season at home against the [[2015 New York Giants season|New York Giants]], in which Dallas won 27–26. Dez Bryant left the game early with a fractured bone in his foot. On the road against the [[2015 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]], Romo suffered a broken left collarbone, the same one he injured in 2010, and Brandon Weeden replaced him. Dallas won 20–10 to begin the season 2–0, but then went on a seven-game losing streak. They finished the season 4–12 and last in their division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2015.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In [[2016 Dallas Cowboys season|2016]], after a preseason injury to Tony Romo, rookie quarterback [[Dak Prescott]] was slated as the starting quarterback, as Romo was expected to be out 6–8 weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pantorno |first=Joe |date=August 27, 2016 |title=Dak Prescott Reportedly Named Cowboys Starting QB After Tony Romo Injury |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2660165-dak-prescott-reportedly-named-cowboys-starting-qb-after-tony-romo-injury |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref> In week 1 against the [[2016 New York Giants season|New York Giants]], Dallas lost 20–19. After this loss, Dallas would go on an eleven-game winning streak. After much speculation leading to a potential quarterback controversy, Romo made an announcement that Prescott had earned the right to take over as the Cowboys starting quarterback.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gantt |first=Darin |date=November 15, 2016 |title=Jerry Jones: Tony Romo's handing being benched for a rookie really well |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jerry-jones-tony-romos-handing-being-benched-for-a-rookie-really-well |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>

In game 10, Romo suited up for the first time in the season and was the backup quarterback. Dallas defeated the [[2016 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]] to win their 9th straight game, breaking a franchise record of 8 straight games set in 1977. It also marked rookie running back [[Ezekiel Elliott]] breaking [[Tony Dorsett]]'s single-season rushing record for a Cowboys rookie. Prescott also tied an NFL rookie record held by [[Russell Wilson]] and [[Dan Marino]] by throwing multiple touchdowns in 5 straight games. Dallas finished 13–3, tying their best 16-game regular-season record. While Dallas defeated the [[2016 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] at Lambeau Field in week 6, the Packers would win at AT&T Stadium in the divisional round of the [[2016–17 NFL playoffs|NFL playoffs]] on a last-second field goal, ending the Cowboys' season.<ref name="i327">{{cite web | last=Davis | first=Scott | title=Packers tight end makes incredible 35-yard catch on his toes to help set up Packers win over the Cowboys | website=Business Insider | date=2017-01-15 | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/packers-jared-cook-incredible-catch-cowboys-2017-1 | access-date=2024-08-24}}</ref>
[[File:Elliott Prescott.jpg|thumb|[[Dak Prescott]] and [[Ezekiel Elliott]] were both [[NFL Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]] finalists in 2016 after leading the team to a 13–3 record, with the former winning the award]]
Dak Prescott was named [[NFL Rookie of the Year Award|NFL Rookie of the Year]] in the NFL honors on February 4, 2017, and Ezekiel Elliott led the league in rushing yards. Jason Garrett was named [[NFL Coach of the Year Award|Coach of the Year]]. Both Prescott and Elliott made the [[2017 Pro Bowl]]. This is the first time the Cowboys sent two rookies to the Pro Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-21 |title=News: Dak And Zeke Headline Cowboys' Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016/12/21/14029926/cowboys-news-notes-dak-and-zeke-headline-dallas-cowboys-pro-bowl-selections |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223180319/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016/12/21/14029926/cowboys-news-notes-dak-and-zeke-headline-dallas-cowboys-pro-bowl-selections |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Blogging The Boys|publisher=SB Nation |language=en}}</ref>

[[2017 Dallas Cowboys season|2017]] was the first season since 2002 without quarterback Tony Romo, who retired on April 4 after 14 seasons with the Cowboys.<ref name="j437">{{cite web | title=Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo retiring from NFL | website=NFL.com | date=2017-04-04 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/dallas-cowboys-qb-tony-romo-retiring-from-nfl-0ap3000000797371 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The season also featured second-year running back Ezekiel Elliott being suspended for 6 games after violating the league's conduct policy.<ref name="l3531">{{Cite web |last=Archer |first=Todd |date=2017-08-11 |title=Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott suspended six games for conduct |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20302469/ezekiel-elliott-dallas-cowboys-suspended-six-games |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> The suspension was to begin at the start of the year but was pushed back to November.<ref name="j890">{{cite magazine | last=McCann | first=Michael | title=Why Elliott's Suspension Was Reinstated, Does He Have Shot of Reversal? | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=2017-10-31 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/10/31/why-ezekiel-elliotts-suspension-was-reinstated | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The Cowboys finished the year at 9-7 without making the playoffs. Following the season, Dez Bryant was released after eight seasons in Dallas and tight end [[Jason Witten]], who holds several franchise receiving records, retired after 15 seasons, ending an era.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 13, 2018 |title=Dez Bryant released by Dallas Cowboys after eight seasons |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dez-bryant-dallas-cowboys-release-star-wide-receiver-after-eight-seasons-2018-04-13/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=CBS News|agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rapp |first=Timothy |date=April 27, 2018 |title=Jason Witten Reportedly 'Blindsided' Cowboys by Retiring During 2018 NFL Draft |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2772958-jason-witten-reportedly-blindsided-cowboys-by-retiring-during-2018-nfl-draft |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref>

The Dallas Cowboys' 2017 season was the subject of the third season of [[Amazon (company)|Amazon's]] sports documentary series ''[[All or Nothing (franchise)|All or Nothing]]''. The series is produced by NFL Films.<ref>{{cite news|title='All or Nothing' series to showcase Cowboys' 2017 season|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/all-or-nothing-series-to-showcase-cowboys-2017-season-0ap3000000918226|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=March 1, 2018|access-date=August 29, 2018|archive-date=August 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819120701/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000918226/article/all-or-nothing-series-to-showcase-cowboys-2017-season|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2018 season, the Cowboys finished with a 10–6 record and won the NFC East.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2018.htm |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the Wild Card Round, the Cowboys defeated the Seattle Seahawks 24–22 before losing 30–22 to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.<ref name="p414">{{cite web | last=Farmer | first=Sam | title=Cowboys hold off Seahawks 24-22 in NFC wild-card game | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2019-01-06 | url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-seahawks-cowboys-20190105-story.html | access-date=2024-08-25}}</ref><ref name="v313">{{cite web | last=Beacham | first=Greg | title=Whitworth's line dominates as Rams power past Cowboys, 30-22 | website=AP News | date=2019-01-13 | url=https://apnews.com/whitworths-line-dominates-as-rams-power-past-cowboys-30-22-89c1bcc499b34d64959ceb055105114d | access-date=2024-08-25}}</ref>