How a single season transformed the Dallas Cowboys from bottom to top
In short: In 2015, the Dallas Cowboys struggled through an injury-plagued season, losing ten of eleven games without Tony Romo. Yet, just one year later, they achieved a historic turnaround, clinching the NFC East title and securing the league's top seed.
The 2016 campaign was a masterclass in rapid ascent. After an initial loss to the New York Giants, the Cowboys embarked on an 11-game winning streak. This momentum allowed them to clinch a playoff berth and, following an Eagles victory over the Giants in Week 16, secure the NFC East championship. Their 13–3 final record tied the best in franchise history, matching the legendary 1992 and 2007 seasons. No squad had climbed from the NFC's lowest rank to the number one seed within one campaign since the AFL-NFL merger.
The roster underwent significant reconstruction during the offseason. Facing concerns at quarterback, defensive back, and pass rusher, the team utilized free agency and the draft to rebuild. While the team re-signed ten players from the previous year, they also made strategic acquisitions, such as defensive end Cedric Thornton from the Philadelphia Eagles and running back Alfred Morris from the Washington Redskins. The draft proved even more pivotal, as the team used the fourth overall pick on Ezekiel Elliott, a standout from Ohio State who had previously led his college team to a National Championship.
Despite the regular-season dominance, the season ended in heartbreak. The Cowboys were upset 34–31 by the fourth-seeded Green Bay Packers in the divisional round, extending their NFC Championship drought to 22 seasons. The year also marked the end of an era for quarterback Tony Romo, who announced his retirement on April 4, 2017. However, the foundation for the future was laid by the selection of Dak Prescott, who, despite not being the team's initial first-round target, would eventually step into the starting role.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2016 Dallas Cowboys season
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-2016-dallas-cowboys-season.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
