2015 Dallas Cowboys season

2015 draft class

Notes

Staff transactions

Players transactions

Regular Season

Despite starting the season 2-0 and leading the NFC East, the Cowboys lost their next seven games and finished the season by going 2-12 in their final 14 games. Their collapse from a solid start was primarily due to injuries by starting quarterback Tony Romo and starting wide receiver Dez Bryant, which both occurred in week 2 of the season. Brandon Weeden started the next 3 games in which he lost, and then was benched in week 7 following the bye week in replacement for Matt Cassel who was, at the time, just released by the Buffalo Bills. Cassel then lost the Cowboys their next 4 games until Tony Romo recovered from his broken collarbone injury and won their first game in 9 weeks against the Dolphins. However, in a week 12 loss against the undefeated Panthers, Romo suffered a second collarbone injury and was later ruled out for the season. Matt Cassel then started the next 3 games for the Cowboys with a week 13 win against the rival Redskins. However, after a poor performance against the New York Jets in week 15 in the 1st half, Cassel was benched in favor of backup Kellen Moore, who then went on to lose the rest of the games of the season.

Regular season

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. New York Giants

The Cowboys opened the season at home against their rival, the New York Giants, led by the quarterback-receiver tandem of Eli Manning and young Odell Beckham.

Tony Romo came back late in the fourth quarter and nailed the game-winning drive to Jason Witten to give Dallas a narrow 27-26 victory.

The victory, however, was bittersweet as Dez Bryant broke his foot in the second half. The injury required surgery and he is expected to miss 10–12 weeks. Cameras caught Bryant congratulating his teammates in the locker room after a close victory. Romo on Bryant injury: "You can't replace Dez Bryant." Three days after, the NFL came forward and apologized to the New York Giants for 2 blown calls. The first call led to a Cowboy touchdown due to a wrong Pass Interference call which set up the Cowboys 1st and Goal on the 2 yard line and the second was a blown Defensive Holding call which would have set up the Giants first and Goal with the Cowboys having no Time Outs remaining and 1:36 left on the clock.

Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles

Shining atop the division, the Dallas Cowboys played the Philadelphia Eagles in what turned out to be a defensive juggernaut of a game. Neither team could really get anything going on offense; however, the Cowboys were able to pull away by dominating the time of possession. Already missing starting wide receiver Dez Bryant, the Cowboys experienced a devastating loss when Tony Romo was sacked. The result of the hit was a fractured collarbone and an expected eight-week absence. The fractured collarbone is the same one Romo broke in 2010. Brandon Weeden got his first taste of game time this season, completing all 7 passes for a total of 73 yards and one touchdown. Despite the injuries to the two key players, the Cowboys still managed to hold off the Eagles with a 20-10 victory, ultimately stunning Philadelphia's home crowd. Dallas' defense harassed Sam Bradford and ex-Cowboy DeMarco Murray all game, holding Murray to a measly 2 yards. Sean Lee, a defensive powerhouse, finished the game with 13 tackles and an interception for the Cowboys. For his performance, Lee was given the honor of being named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons

So many questions surrounded the Dallas Cowboys as they entered Week 3. With no Dez Bryant or Tony Romo, how would the rest of the team respond? Coach Jason Garrett’s mantra of “next man up” played a big part in preparing for the game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Backup quarterback Brandon Weeden started for the first time since last season against the Arizona Cardinals, but this outing was much different. He completed 22 of 26 passes for 232 yards. Although he threw one interception and had zero touchdowns, the loss could not be blamed on him alone.

The Cowboys played very well in the first half, outscoring the Falcons 28-17; however, the Falcons made a few halftime adjustments that squashed any running game the Cowboys pursued. On the other hand, the Cowboys had no answer for Julio Jones, who ran 164 yards and had 2 touchdowns. Owner Jerry Jones said after the game that the Cowboys just looked tired in the second half. In typical fashion for this season, the Falcons came back late in the third quarter and won the game 39-28.

Week 4: at New Orleans Saints

In another heartbreaking loss which ended the 9-0 streak of regular season away games, the injury bug struck again. Sean Lee exited the game early with a concussion, Lance Dunbar saw the last of his playing time this season with a torn ACL, and Brice Butler injured his hamstring. Despite all the injuries, the Dallas Cowboys were able to stay neck and neck with the New Orleans Saints.

Enduring a few lead changes throughout the first four quarters, the Cowboys were able to come back and tie it up 20-20 with a last minute touchdown from Brandon Weeden (16/26; 246 yards; 1 TD) to Terrance Williams. However, the Cowboys defense was not able to hold off the Saints during overtime. An 80-yard touchdown was scored within the first 13 seconds of overtime, which handed the Cowboys their second loss of the season.

Week 5: vs. New England Patriots

After back-to-back losses, Dallas returned home to face the undefeated NFL Champion New England Patriots.

Stout early defensive efforts kept the game close including five sacks of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, but Dallas’ offense could never steadily produce results. Dallas QB Brandon Weeden (1 INT) and the offensive line were ineffectual, gaining only 264 yards total offense and making 18 1st downs. The offense could manage only two Dan Bailey field goals.

During the first quarter, the Cowboys held the Patriots to a field goal. Slowly but surely, the Patriots pulled away for the 30-6 victory, handing Dallas the loss and a 2-3 record entering the bye week - and handing Cowboys coach Jason Garrett his first career three-game losing streak.

Week 7: at New York Giants

Dallas took its perfect record in games against NFC East opponents to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants, and despite limiting a highly efficient Giants offense and Cassel making some clutch throws, The Giants dominance of the turnover margin and special teams spelled doom for the Cowboys as the Giants left with the 27-20 win.

Matt Cassel made his starting quarterback debut for Dallas passing for 227 yards and 1 touchdown, but his 3 interceptions - including one returned for a touchdown - led to ten Giants points. On the ground Dallas had consistent success all day with Darren McFadden substituting for mysteriously injured starter Joseph Randle and the offense accumulated 460 total yards vs. the Giants' 289.

Despite sloppy, penalty-ridden play helping enable three lead changes Dallas was able to tie the game at 20 when Cassel threw a beauty on a 25-yard touchdown pass to Devin Street who had an even better catch, tapping his feet inches from the end line. However, the Giants returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, immediately regaining the lead. Later, a quick "three and out" by the Giants' offense preceded a Giants punt which was fumbled by Cole Beasley and recovered by the Giants, who then ran out the clock on subsequent "kneel downs" to finish the game.

The loss hands Dallas a four-game losing skid heading back home to face the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks.

Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks

This game involved a scary moment, after Seattle's Ricardo Lockette was hit during a kick return. He lied on the ground, motionless, for about 7 minutes before he was taken off the field on a cart. X-rays later revealed that Lockette had a broken neck. The injury ended his career. The Cowboys would only kick field goals in this game, as Dan Bailey was 4 for 4 on field goals. Dallas lead 12-10 with under 2 minutes to go. However, the Seahawks would march down the field and would take a 13-12 lead after Steven Hauschka drilled a 24-yard field goal. Dallas tried to come back, but Seattle forced a turnover on downs to end the game.

With their 5th straight loss, the Cowboys fell to 2-5.

Week 9: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Cowboys would rally to tie the game after Dan Bailey converted a 44 yard field goal that caromed off the uprights with 2 seconds left. The Eagles would get the ball first, and would move down the field. During the drive, the Eagles faced a 4th and 1, and decided to go for it. Ryan Mathews would get the ball, but he would fumble on the play, and the Cowboys appeared to recover. However, the play was reviewed, and review showed that Mathews's knee was down prior to the ball coming out. The Eagles got another chance. On the next play, Sam Bradford found Jordan Matthews on a 41-yard touchdown reception to end the game.

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 2-6.

Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Cowboys would manage only 2 field goals during this game, as they lost to Tampa Bay 10-6. Jameis Winston would run the ball in from a yard out to give the Buccaneers the lead for good with 54 seconds left. The Cowboys tried to come back, but it fell short, as the Cowboys lost their seventh straight game.

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 2-7.

Week 11: at Miami Dolphins

Dallas would finally break their 7 game losing streak with a 24-14 win over the Dolphins. Tony Romo returned to action after missing 7 weeks with a collarbone injury. He would have a fine return, as he would throw 2 touchdown passes along with 2 interceptions in the win. He would also throw for 227 yards during the game.

With the win, the Cowboys improved to 3-7.

Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers

Thanksgiving Day game

Tony Romo would play at quarterback for the second straight week. However, he would be injured again, as he would suffer a clavicle injury at the end of the 3rd quarter. Romo would throw 3 interceptions and no touchdowns as the Cowboys were rattled at home to undefeated Carolina 33-14. It was later revealed that Romo would miss the rest of the season with a broken clavicle. To date, this is the last time Tony Romo took the field as of 2016.

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 3-8.

Week 13: at Washington Redskins

The Cowboys would get an upset win over the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. The game was mostly field goals, until the end of the 4th quarter. Desean Jackson would fumble a kickoff return with 1:31 remaining that was recovered by Dallas. The Cowboys would take the lead after Darren McFadden took it in from 6 yards out to give them a 16-9 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Washington got a good return from Rashad Ross that put the Redskins in Dallas territory. Washington would tie the game after Desean Jackson caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to tie the game at 16. The Boys would march down the field and Dan Bailey would end the game by kicking a 54 yard field goal with 9 seconds left.

With the win, the Cowboys improved to 4-8 and remained in the playoff hunt since all 4 NFC East teams had losing records.

Week 14: at Green Bay Packers

The Cowboys travel to Lambeau to take on the Packers in a rematch of last year's Divisional Round, in which Green Bay narrowly won after Dez Bryant's controversial catch was overturned, allowing the Packers to advance to the NFC Championship. This time, Green Bay won handily, 28-7, which dropped the Cowboys' record to 4-9.

Week 15: vs. New York Jets

The Cowboys came into this game needing a win to remain in the playoff hunt. However, they had to go through a hot Jets team to do it. Towards the end of the game, Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick would sneak the ball across for a first down deep in his own territory. However, the replay showed that the ball might have come out as he was sneaking over the line. The play was reviewed, but the call stood, and the Jets kept the ball. The Jets would eventually march down the field. Randy Bullock would give the Jets the lead with 36 seconds left 19-16. The Cowboys would try to go down the field with Kellen Moore at the quarterback spot for them. However, one of his passes was intercepted by Darrelle Revis, ending the game.

With the loss, Dallas fell to 4-10 and was eliminated from playoff contention.

Week 16: at Buffalo Bills

The Cowboys managed only 2 field goals from Dan Bailey, as they lost 16-6 to Buffalo. Kellen Moore would start for the Cowboys again, as Matt Cassel was benched. He would not have a good day throwing the ball, as he only threw 1 interception and failed to throw a touchdown.

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 4-11.

Week 17: vs. Washington Redskins

The Cowboys would trail 24-0 in the second quarter, and they would go on to lose 34-23 to the NFC East Champion Redskins. During this game, Washington fans seemed to outnumber Dallas fans from time to time.

With the loss, the Cowboys ended their season with a frustrating record of 4-12. They also finished 1-7 at home, their worst home record since 1989.