Record 8–8 | Start date 1999 | |
Similar 1965 Dallas Cowboys, 2002 Dallas Cowboys, 1964 Dallas Cowboys | ||
The 1999 Dallas Cowboys season was their 40th in the National Football League. Their season ended with a loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the Wildcard round. It was the final season that the Cowboys appeared in the playoffs during the 1990s, and they would not return to the playoffs until 2003.
Contents
Hall of Fame Game
Regular season
The season began at Washington with a come-from-behind victory over the division-rival Washington Redskins. After trailing by three touchdowns in the second half, free agent acquisition Rocket Ismail hauled in the winning touchdown catch in overtime while Troy Aikman threw for a franchise record five touchdowns in a single game (since matched by Tony Romo).
The team started with a 3–0 record, but a week-5 injury to wide receiver Michael Irvin against the Philadelphia Eagles eventually forced him into retirement. Afterwards, Dallas struggled down the stretch as age and injury began to take their toll. The team again made the playoffs despite an 8–8 season, but lost once more in the first round to the Minnesota Vikings. Despite leading the team to consecutive playoff berths and seemingly re-igniting the Dallas offense, owner Jerry Jones fired head coach Chan Gailey after the season.
A notable addition to the team was fan favorite linebacker Dat Nguyen, the only (to date) Vietnamese-American to play in the NFL.
This marked the final season for future hall-of-famer Michael Irvin and longtime Cowboys fullback Daryl "Moose" Johnston. Irvin and Johnston both suffered season-ending (and as it turned out career-ending) injuries early in the season. Irvin was the last Cowboys player to have played for Tom Landry.
The annual Thanksgiving Day game featured the return of former head coach Jimmy Johnson to Texas Stadium as Dolphins head coach. It was the only game Johnson ever coached in Texas Stadium as a visiting coach. The Cowboys won, 20–0.
The Cowboys lost 4 games in which their defense only yielded 13 points in each contest.
Publications
The Football Encyclopedia ISBN 0-312-11435-4
Total Football ISBN 0-06-270170-3
Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes ISBN 0-446-51950-2