2011 Dallas Cowboys season

52nd season in franchise history

The 2011 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL), the third playing their home games at Cowboys Stadium and the first full season under head coach Jason Garrett. The team improved on their 6–10 record from 2010, but missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season due to their week 17 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.[1]

2011 draft class

2011 Dallas Cowboys Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 9 Tyron Smith OT USC
2 40 Bruce Carter ILB North Carolina
3 71 DeMarco Murray RB Oklahoma
4 110 David Arkin G Missouri State
5 143 Josh Thomas CB Buffalo
6 176 Dwayne Harris WR East Carolina
7 220 [a] Shaun Chapas FB Georgia
7 252 Bill Nagy C Wisconsin
Compensatory selection

Notes ^[a] The Cowboys forfeited its original seventh-round selection after selecting defensive tackle Josh Brent in the 2010 Supplemental Draft.

Schedule

Preseason

The Cowboys' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 11 Denver Broncos W 24–23 1–0 Cowboys Stadium Recap
2 August 21 San Diego Chargers L 7–20 1–1 Cowboys Stadium Recap
3 August 27 at Minnesota Vikings W 23–17 2–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap
4 September 1 at Miami Dolphins L 3–17 2–2 Sun Life Stadium Recap

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 11 at New York Jets L 24–27 0–1 MetLife Stadium Recap
2 September 18 at San Francisco 49ers W 27–24 (OT) 1–1 Candlestick Park Recap
3 September 26 Washington Redskins W 18–16 2–1 Cowboys Stadium Recap
4 October 2 Detroit Lions L 30–34 2–2 Cowboys Stadium Recap
5 Bye
6 October 16 at New England Patriots L 16–20 2–3 Gillette Stadium Recap
7 October 23 St. Louis Rams W 34–7 3–3 Cowboys Stadium Recap
8 October 30 at Philadelphia Eagles L 7–34 3–4 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
9 November 6 Seattle Seahawks W 23–13 4–4 Cowboys Stadium Recap
10 November 13 Buffalo Bills W 44–7 5–4 Cowboys Stadium Recap
11 November 20 at Washington Redskins W 27–24 (OT) 6–4 FedExField Recap
12 November 24 Miami Dolphins W 20–19 7–4 Cowboys Stadium Recap
13 December 4 at Arizona Cardinals L 13–19 (OT) 7–5 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
14 December 11 New York Giants L 34–37 7–6 Cowboys Stadium Recap
15 December 17 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 31–15 8–6 Raymond James Stadium Recap
16 December 24 Philadelphia Eagles L 7–20 8–7 Cowboys Stadium Recap
17 January 1 at New York Giants L 14–31 8–8 MetLife Stadium Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: at New York Jets

Week One: Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 3 7724
Jets 0 7 31727

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter

  • DAL - Dez Bryant 3-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 10:27. Cowboys 7-0. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:33.

Second quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 34-yard field goal, 3:16. Cowboys 10-0. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 4:47.
  • NYJ - Dustin Keller 4-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Nick Folk kick), 0:37. Cowboys 10-7. Drive: 9 plays, 87 yards, 2:39.

Third quarter

  • DAL - Miles Austin 36-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 8:05. Cowboys 17-7. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 4:40.
  • NYJ - Nick Folk 34-yard field goal, 4:01. Cowboys 17-10. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 4:04.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL - Felix Jones 1-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 14:50. Cowboys 24-10. Drive: 2 plays, 1 yard, 0:10.
  • NYJ - Plaxico Burress 26-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Nick Folk kick), 11:56. Cowboys 24-17. Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 2:54.
  • NYJ - Isaiah Trufant 18-yard blocked punt return (Nick Folk kick), 5:00. Tied 24-24.
  • NYJ - Nick Folk 50-yard field goal, 0:27. Jets 27-24. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:22.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers

Week Two: Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Cowboys 0 7 710327
49ers 0 14 73024

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

  • SF - Frank Gore 1-yard run (David Akers kick), 11:54. 49ers 7-0. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 6:40.
  • SF - Kyle Williams 12-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 6:23. 49ers 14-0. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:23.
  • DAL - Miles Austin 53-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 1:48. 49ers 14-7. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:17.

Third quarter

  • DAL - Miles Austin 5-yard pass from Jon Kitna (Dan Bailey kick), 6:50. Tied 14-14. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:09.
  • SF - Delanie Walker 29-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 0:37. 49ers 21-14. Drive: 1 play, 29 yards, 0:05.

Fourth quarter

  • SF - David Akers 55-yard field goal, 11:12. 49ers 24-14. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 3:15.
  • DAL - Miles Austin 25-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 6:55. 49ers 24-21. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:17.
  • DAL - Dan Bailey 48-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 24-24. Drive: 10 plays, 44 yards, 4:03.

Overtime

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 19-yard field goal, 12:07. Cowboys 27-24. Drive: 2 plays, 77 yards, 0:50.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Week 3: vs. Washington Redskins

Week Three: Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Redskins 6 3 7016
Cowboys 3 6 3618

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter

  • WAS – Graham Gano 46-yard field goal, 10:06. Redskins 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 4:54.
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 41-yard field goal, 5:34. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 4:32.
  • WAS – Graham Gano 46-yard field goal, 0:21. Redskins 6–3. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:36.

Second quarter

  • DAL – Dan Bailey 41-yard field goal, 12:20. Tied 6–6. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:52.
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 32-yard field goal, 2:25. Cowboys 9–6. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:57.
  • WAS – Graham Gano 50-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 9–9. Drive: 10 plays, 48 yards, 2:25.

Third quarter

  • WAS – Tim Hightower 1-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Graham Gano kick), 4:00. Redskins 16–9. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 5:31.
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 41-yard field goal, 0:19. Redskins 16–12. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:41.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Dan Bailey 23-yard field goal, 6:58. Redskins 16–15. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:28.
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 40-yard field goal, 1:47. Cowboys 18–16. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 1:57.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Week 4: vs. Detroit Lions

Week Four: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 3 141734
Cowboys 7 13 10030

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 78,122
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
  • Recap
    Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • DAL – Dez Bryant 25-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 9:28. Cowboys 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 3:55.

Second quarter

  • DAL – Dez Bryant 6-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 10:58. Cowboys 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 2:25.
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 41-yard field goal, 6:28. Cowboys 17–0. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 2:48.
  • DET – Jason Hanson 33-yard field goal, 4:08. Cowboys 17–3. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 2:20.
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 35-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 20–3. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 1:28.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Jason Witten 1-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 12:23. Cowboys 27–3. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:37.
  • DET – Bobby Carpenter 34-yard interception return (Jason Hanson kick), 10:12. Cowboys 27–10.
  • DET – Chris Houston 56-yard interception return (Jason Hanson kick), 5:34. Cowboys 27–17.
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 23-yard field goal, 0:37. Cowboys 30–17. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:57.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Calvin Johnson 23-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick), 13:37. Cowboys 30–24. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:00.
  • DET – Jason Hanson 51-yard field goal, 4:22. Cowboys 30–27. Drive: 8 plays, 14 yards, 3:14.
  • DET – Calvin Johnson 2-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick), 1:39. Lions 34–30. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 2:34.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • DET – Calvin Johnson – 8 receptions, 96 yards, 2 TD
  • DAL – Laurent Robinson – 7 receptions, 116 yards

Top tacklers

With their second loss to the Lions at home in five years, the Cowboys fell to 2–2.

Week 6: at New England Patriots

Week Six: Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 3 7 3316
Patriots 3 10 0720

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT/3:15 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C) (Partly Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 68,756
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Game information

First quarter

  • NE - Stephen Gostkowski 31-yard field goal, 8:41. Patriots 3-0. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 3:22.
  • DAL - Dan Bailey 48-yard field goal, 3:16. Tied 3-3. Drive: 4 plays, -7 yards, 1:31.

Second quarter

  • NE - Stephen Gostkowski 26-yard field goal, 12:07. Patriots 6-3. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 3:56.
  • NE - Wes Welker 5-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 7:34. Patriots 13-3. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 3:03.
  • DAL - Jason Witten 1-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 0:33. Patriots 13-10. Drive: 11 plays, 93 yards, 7:01.

Third quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 22-yard field goal, 5:50. Tied 13-13. Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 5:58.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 26-yard field goal, 5:13. Cowboys 16-13. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 3:55.
  • NE - Aaron Hernandez 8-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 0:22. Patriots 20-16. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 2:02.

Top passers

  • DAL – Tony Romo - 27/41, 317 yards, TD, INT
  • NE – Tom Brady - 27/41, 289 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

The Cowboys' blue uniforms returned after a 1-year hiatus, and they blew a 3-point fourth quarter lead, and lost to the 2011 AFC champion New England Patriots.

Week 7: vs. St. Louis Rams

Week Seven: St. Louis Rams at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 0 7 007
Cowboys 7 10 31434

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 80,086
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and John Lynch
Game information

First quarter

  • DAL - DeMarco Murray 91-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 9:33. Cowboys 7-0. Drive: 3 plays, 98 yards, 2:08.

Second quarter

  • DAL - Jason Witten 1-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 12:25. Cowboys 14-0. Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 3:14.
  • STL - Steven Jackson 6-yard run (Josh Brown kick), 7:58. Cowboys 14-7. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 4:27.
  • DAL - Dan Bailey 30-yard field goal, 0:15. Cowboys 17-7. Drive: 8 plays, 18 yards, 3:19.

Third quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 51-yard field goal, 5:32. Cowboys 20-7. Drive: 13 plays, 55 yards, 6:50.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL - Phillip Tanner 6-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 9:22. Cowboys 27-7. Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 4:31.
  • DAL - Dez Bryant 20-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 4:07. Cowboys 34-7. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 3:17.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

This game is notable for DeMarco Murray, in his first NFL start, setting the Cowboys single game rushing record.

Week 8: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week Eight: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 0 077
Eagles 14 10 3734

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EDT/7:20 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C) (Clear)
  • Game attendance: 69,144
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • PHI - Brent Celek 9-yard pass from Michael Vick (Alex Henery kick), 10:13. Eagles 21-0. Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 6:00.
  • PHI - Alex Henery 23-yard field goal, 1:46. Eagles 24-0. Drive: 13 plays, 83 yards, 6:08.

Third quarter

  • PHI - Alex Henery 26-yard field goal, 5:55. Eagles 27-0. Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 6:28.

Fourth quarter

  • PHI - LeSean McCoy 13-yard run (Alex Henery kick), 13:21. Eagles 34-0. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 6:42.
  • DAL - Laurent Robinson 70-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 12:44. Eagles 34-7. Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:37.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Week 9: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week Nine: Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 3 3 0713
Cowboys 3 3 71023

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 81,510
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

First quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 20-yard field goal, 4:25. Cowboys 3-0. Drive: 11 plays, 96 yards, 6:02.
  • SEA - Steven Hauschka 45-yard field goal, 0:04. Tied 3-3. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 4:21.

Second quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 20-yard field goal, 10:23. Cowboys 6-3. Drive: 12 plays, 86 yards, 4:41.
  • SEA - Steven Hauschka 32-yard field goal, 1:03. Tied 6-6. Drive: 13 plays, 81 yards, 5:25.

Third quarter

  • DAL - Jason Witten 33-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 8:39. Cowboys 13-6. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:17.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL - Laurent Robinson 6-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 14:10. Cowboys 20-6. Drive: 6 plays, 40 yards, 2:24.
  • DAL - Dan Bailey 42-yard field goal, 11:23. Cowboys 23-6. Drive: 5 plays, 11 yards, 1:58.
  • SEA - Marshawn Lynch 4-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 6:12. Cowboys 23-13. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:10.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Week 10: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Ten: Buffalo Bills at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 7 007
Cowboys 14 14 61044

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 85,157
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Game information

First quarter

  • DAL - Dez Bryant 34-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 12:12. Cowboys 7-0. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:48.
  • DAL - Laurent Robinson 5-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 3:05. Cowboys 14-0. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 7:35.

Second quarter

  • DAL - Laurent Robinson 58-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 12:17. Cowboys 21-0. Drive: 1 play, 58 yards, 0:09.
  • BUF - David Nelson 3-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dave Rayner kick), 8:16. Cowboys 21-7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 4:01.
  • DAL - DeMarco Murray 1-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 1:05. Cowboys 28-7. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 7:11.

Third quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 45-yard field goal, 2:25. Cowboys 31-7. Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 3:24.
  • DAL - Dan Bailey 36-yard field goal, 0:16. Cowboys 34-7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:58.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 31-yard field goal, 5:11. Cowboys 37-7. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 7:44.
  • DAL - Terence Newman 43-yard interception return (Dan Bailey kick), 4:54. Cowboys 44-7.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • BUF - Fred Jackson - 13 carries, 144 yards
  • DAL - DeMarco Murray - 20 carries, 135 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • BUF - Donald Jones - 6 receptions, 51 yards
  • DAL - Dez Bryant - 6 receptions, 74 yards, TD

Top tacklers

Week 11: at Washington Redskins

Week Eleven: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Cowboys 7 3 014327
Redskins 0 14 37024

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

First quarter

  • DAL - Dez Bryant 22-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 7:44. Cowboys 7-0. Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 0:55.

Second quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 37-yard field goal, 10:23. Cowboys 10-0. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 4:14.
  • WAS - Rex Grossman 4-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 3:59. Cowboys 10-7. Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 3:24.
  • WAS - Jabar Gaffney 16-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Graham Gano kick), 0:14. Redskins 14-10. Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 1:27.

Third quarter

  • WAS - Graham Gano 40-yard field goal, 11:40. Redskins 17-10. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:20.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL - Laurent Robinson 7-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 14:43. Tied 17-17. Drive: 14 plays, 61 yards, 6:24.
  • DAL - Jason Witten 59-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 8:48. Cowboys 24-17. Drive: 7 plays, 88 yards, 2:22.
  • WAS - Donte Stallworth 4-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Graham Gano kick), 0:14. Tied 24-24. Drive: 12 plays, 89 yards, 5:29.

Overtime

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 39-yard field goal, 5:39. Cowboys 27-24. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 3:41.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Week 12: vs. Miami Dolphins

Thanksgiving Day game

Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 3 3 10319
Cowboys 0 10 01020

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: November 24
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 87,418
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Game information

First quarter

  • MIA - Shayne Graham 26-yard field goal, 2:42. Dolphins 3-0. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:04.

Second quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 32-yard field goal, 4:38. Tied 3-3. Drive: 10 plays, 48 yards, 5:04.
  • DAL - Laurent Robinson 5-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 0:55. Cowboys 10-3. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards, 0:06.
  • MIA - Shayne Graham 28-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 10-6. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 0:55.

Third quarter

  • MIA - Shayne Graham 27-yard field goal, 8:02. Cowboys 10-9. Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 6:58.
  • MIA - Brandon Marshall 35-yard pass from Matt Moore (Shayne Graham kick), 3:54. Dolphins 16-10. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 2:20.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL - Laurent Robinson 18-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 14:31. Cowboys 17-16. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 4:23.
  • MIA - Shayne Graham 23-yard field goal, 7:14. Dolphins 19-17. Drive: 14 plays, 76 yards, 7:17.
  • DAL - Dan Bailey 28-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 20-19. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 2:59.

Top passers

  • MIA – Matt Moore - 19/32, 288 yards, TD
  • DAL – Tony Romo - 22/34, 226 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Coming off their thrilling overtime road win over the Redskins, the Cowboys went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and played a Week 12 interconference duel with the Miami Dolphins in the annual Thanksgiving game. Dallas trailed early in the first quarter with Dolphins kicker Shayne Graham getting a 26-yard field goal, yet the Cowboys would answer in the second quarter with a 26-yard field goal from kicker Dan Bailey, followed by quarterback Tony Romo finding wide receiver Laurent Robinson on a 5-yard touchdown pass. Miami would close out the half with Graham making a 28-yard field goal.

The Dolphins retook the lead in the third quarter with Graham booting a 27-yard field goal, followed by quarterback Matt Moore completing a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Afterwards, Dallas regained the lead in the fourth quarter with Romo connecting with Robinson again on an 18-yard touchdown pass. Miami struck back with Graham making a 23-yard field goal, but Bailey rescued the Cowboys by nailing the winning 28-yard field goal.

With the win, Dallas improved to 7–4.

Bailey (2/2 on field goal, including game-winning 28-yarder) and linebacker DeMarcus Ware (1 assist and a fumble recovery) were named CBS' All-Iron Award winners.

Week 13: at Arizona Cardinals

Week Thirteen: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Cowboys 0 10 30013
Cardinals 3 0 37619

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST/2:15 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 62,180
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Game information

First quarter

  • ARI - Jay Feely 48-yard field goal, 4:13. Cardinals 3-0. Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 3:03.

Second quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 50-yard field goal, 5:50. Tied 3-3. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 3:51.
  • DAL - Dez Bryant 5-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 3:09. Cowboys 10-3. Drive: 3 plays, 33 yards, 0:57.

Third quarter

  • ARI - Jay Feely 23-yard field goal, 8:18. Cowboys 10-6. Drive: 12 plays, 74 yards, 6:42.
  • DAL - Dan Bailey 37-yard field goal, 0:34. Cowboys 13-6. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 7:44.

Fourth quarter

  • ARI - Beanie Wells 4-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 13:08. Tied 13-13. Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 2:26.

Overtime

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • DAL – Dez Bryant - 8 receptions, 86 yards, TD
  • ARI – Andre Roberts - 6 receptions, 111 yards

Top tacklers

With seconds left in regulation with the score at 13-13, Jason Garrett called a time out before Dan Bailey was set to kick a 49-yard field goal that would have ended the game (commonly referred to as "icing the kicker"); Bailey ended up missing the field goal and the Cowboys lost the game in overtime.[3][4]

Week 14: vs. New York Giants

Week Fourteen: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 5 10 71537
Cowboys 7 10 31434

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter

  • NYG – Tony Romo sacked by Jason Pierre-Paul in the endzone for a safety, 9:42. Giants 2–0.
  • NYG – Lawrence Tynes 23-yard field goal, 7:07. Giants 5–0. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 2:35.
  • DAL – John Phillips 12-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 2:49. Cowboys 7–5. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:18.

Second quarter

  • NYG – Brandon Jacobs 1-yard run (Lawrence Tynes kick), 12:45. Giants 12–7. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:04.
  • DAL – Laurent Robinson 9-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 6:26. Cowboys 14–12. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:19.
  • NYG - Lawrence Tynes 26-yard field goal, 1:03. Giants 15-14. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:22.
  • DAL - Dan Bailey 49-yard field goal, 0:15. Cowboys 17-15. Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 0:48.

Third quarter

  • DAL - Dan Bailey 49-yard field goal, 7:42. Cowboys 20-15. Drive: 11 plays, 41 yards, 5:11.
  • NYG - Mario Manningham 47-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 4:30. Giants 22-20. Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 3:12.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL - Miles Austin 6-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 12:43. Cowboys 27-22. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:31.
  • DAL - Dez Bryant 50-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 5:41. Cowboys 34-22. Drive: 2 plays, 49 yards, 0:54.
  • NYG - Jake Ballard 8-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 3:14. Cowboys 34-29. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 2:27.
  • NYG - Brandon Jacobs 1-yard run (Danny Ware run), 0:46. Giants 37-34. Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards, 1:26.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Week 15: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Fifteen: Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 14 14 3031
Buccaneers 0 0 15015

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

First quarter

  • DAL - Miles Austin 8-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 8:44. Cowboys 7-0. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 3:52.
  • DAL - Dez Bryant 8-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 0:18. Cowboys 14-0. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 6:17.

Second quarter

  • DAL - Laurent Robinson 9-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 4:42. Cowboys 21-0. Drive: 7 plays, 89 yards, 3:52.
  • DAL - Tony Romo 1-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 0:20. Cowboys 28-0. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 2:32.

Third quarter

  • TB - Dekoda Watson 7-yard defensive fumble return (Connor Barth kick), 13:39. Cowboys 28-7.
  • DAL - Dan Bailey 30-yard field goal, 6:38. Cowboys 31-7. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 7:01.
  • TB - Dezmon Briscoe 13-yard pass from Josh Freeman (Kellen Winslow pass from Josh Freeman), 0:23. Cowboys 31-15. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:15.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Week 16: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week Sixteen: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Eagles 7 7 3320
Cowboys 0 0 077

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 84,834
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • PHI - Jeremy Maclin 5-yard pass from Michael Vick (Alex Henery kick), 0:05. Eagles 14-0. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 0:50.

Third quarter

  • PHI - Alex Henery 43-yard field goal, 4:30. Eagles 17-0. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 2:27.

Fourth quarter

  • PHI - Alex Henery 51-yard field goal, 13:25. Eagles 20-0. Drive: 9 plays, 26 yards, 4:28.
  • DAL - Miles Austin 4-yard pass from Stephen McGee (Dan Bailey kick), 0:07. Eagles 20-7. Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:12.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Week 17: at New York Giants

Week Seventeen: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 0 7714
Giants 7 14 01031

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • NYG – Ahmad Bradshaw 5-yard run (Lawrence Tynes kick), 13:27. Giants 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 4:27.
  • NYG – Ahmad Bradshaw 10-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 1:09. Giants 21–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:24.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Laurent Robinson 6-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 10:15. Giants 21–14. Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 1:25.
  • NYG – Lawrence Tynes 28-yard field goal, 5:45. Giants 24–14. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:30.
  • NYG – Hakeem Nicks 4-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 3:41. Giants 31–14. Drive: 4 plays, 45 yards, 1:14.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • DAL – Dez Bryant – 6 receptions, 70 yards
  • NYG – Victor Cruz – 6 receptions, 178 yards, TD

Top tacklers

With the loss, the Cowboys finished at 8–8 and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

Standings

NFC East
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) New York Giants 9 7 0 .563 3–3 5–7 394 400 W2
Philadelphia Eagles 8 8 0 .500 5–1 6–6 396 328 W4
Dallas Cowboys 8 8 0 .500 2–4 6–6 372 347 L2
Washington Redskins 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 288 367 L2

Staff

2011 Dallas Cowboys staff

Front office

  • Owner/president/general manager – Jerry Jones
  • COO/executive vice president/director of player personnel – Stephen Jones
  • Assistant director of player personnel – Tom Ciskowski
  • Director of football administration – Todd Williams
  • Assistant director of pro scouting – Judd Garrett

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Jason Garrett
  • Assistant head coach/wide receivers – Jimmy Robinson

Offensive coaches

  • Quarterbacks – Wade Wilson
  • Running backs – Skip Peete
  • Tight ends/pass game coordinator – John Garrett
  • Offensive line/run game coordinator – Hudson Houck
  • Assistant offensive line – Wes Phillips
  • Offensive quality control/wide receivers – Keith O'Quinn
 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Mike Woicik
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Walt Williams



Rosters

Opening preseason roster

Dallas Cowboys 2011 opening preseason roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

90 active, 1 inactive

Week one roster

Dallas Cowboys 2011 week one roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

Practice Squad

53 active, 3 inactive, 8 PS

Final roster

Dallas Cowboys 2011 final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

Practice Squad

  • 31 Mario Butler CB
  • 72 Rob Callaway NT/DE
  • 65 Brandon Carter G
  • 58 Orie Lemon LB
  • 10 Teddy Williams WR
  • 27 C. J. Wilson CB

53 active, 10 inactive, 6 Practice Squad

References

  1. ^ "Giants Defeat Cowboys to Take Final Playoff". The New York Times. January 2, 2012.
  2. ^ "2011 NFL Draft Pick Transactions". ProSportsTransactions.com.
  3. ^ "VIDEO: Jason Garrett Iced His Own Kicker". December 4, 2011.
  4. ^ "Garrett's decision to ice his own kicker numbs the brain". NFL.com.
  5. ^ http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=732F6F95-CB21-F198-D66AC3156A9EB700 Archived 2012-01-07 at the Wayback Machine NBC Flexes Muscles; Jan. 1 Game Moved

External links

  • "2011 Dallas Cowboys Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Dallas Cowboys Official Site
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