A season of broken records and historic defensive struggles
In short: The 2025 Dallas Cowboys season was defined by extremes. While the offense reached new heights and a Thanksgiving matchup shattered viewership records, the defense surrendered a franchise-worst 511 points, setting a grim new standard for the league.
The 2025 campaign, the franchise's 66th in the NFL, was a period of profound transition. Under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the team faced its first season since 2013 without stalwarts Zack Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence. Even more impactful was the departure of Micah Parsons, who was traded to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks following a contract holdout.
On the field, the statistics presented a study in contradictions. The offense, led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens, was the second-best in the league. However, the defense was historically porous. The team allowed 30.1 points per game, surpassing their 2020 mark of 29.6, and surrendered a league-worst 60 touchdowns. This defensive collapse resulted in a 7–9–1 finish, marking the second consecutive season with fewer than 10 wins.
Despite the struggles, the season featured moments of immense scale and individual achievement. A Thanksgiving game against the Kansas City Chiefs drew 57.2 million viewers, becoming the most-watched regular-game in NFL history. Individually, Dak Prescott surpassed Tony Romo's career passing record of 34,183 yards, becoming the franchise's all-time leading passer. Yet, the season was also marked by tragedy, following the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland in November.
The season concluded with the Cowboys eliminated from playoff contention after the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East. While the team found success in specific matchups, such as a 40–37 overtime victory against the Giants, the overall narrative was one of an elite offense unable to overcome a historically vulnerable defense.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2025 Dallas Cowboys season
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