From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
1972 Dallas Cowboys season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Dallas Cowboys |
| year | 1972 |
| record | 10–4 |
| division_place | 2nd NFC East |
| coach | Tom Landry |
| owner | Clint Murchison, Jr. |
| stadium | Texas Stadium |
| playoffs | **Won [Divisional Playoffs](1972-73-nfl-playoffs)** |
| (at [49ers](1972-san-francisco-49ers-season)) 30–28 | |
| Lost [NFC Championship](1972-73-nfl-playoffs) | |
| (at [Redskins](1972-washington-redskins-season)) 3–26 | |
| shortnavlink | Cowboys seasons |
(at 49ers) 30–28 Lost NFC Championship (at Redskins) 3–26
The 1972 Dallas Cowboys season was their 13th in the league. The team failed to improve their previous output of 11–3, winning ten games. They qualified for the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season but settled for the wildcard spot. A pre-season injury to quarterback Roger Staubach and the trade of Duane Thomas (both had been integral figures in the 1971 championship team) hindered the offense, although this was mitigated somewhat since their replacements of Craig Morton and Calvin Hill were both former starters.
In the divisional playoff round, Staubach came off the bench to engineer an improbable 30–28 comeback win over the 49ers (Dallas had trailed by 28–16 with less than 2 minutes to play). The win over the 49ers still ranks as one of the all-time great Cowboys wins. However, the momentum could not carry them to a victory over Washington in the NFC Championship game.
NFL draft
Main article: 1972 NFL draft
Regular season
Roger Staubach was lost in the 3rd pre season game with the Los Angeles Rams when Marlin McKeever tackled him. It required him to get a shoulder operation. Veteran backup Quarterback Craig Morton would lead the Cowboys for the 1972 season. When the Cowboys got down in the December 23 playoff game Tom Landry inserted Roger who led them to a come from behind 30–28 victory over San Francisco. In 1972 the Cowboys would build up big leads in games only to hang on to win. Some examples of this would be Monday Night October 30 when they hosted Detroit, the November 5 game in San Diego, a November 12 game at home versus St. Louis, and the December 9 home game against Washington. The December 18, 1972 Sports Illustrated ran a story on the 1972 Dallas Cowboys surrounding their game with the Washington Redskins on pages 20–23, and featuring Cowboy middle linebacker #55 Lee Roy Jordan on the cover.
Still another factor in the Cowboys 1972 season was that All Pro defensive tackle Bob Lilly played through an injury to his back for most all of the year, along with a bone spur near his heel and an injured muscle just above his knee. Lilly was furthermore selected for his 10th Pro Bowl but did not play in the game at Texas Stadium. Lilly had 2 1/2 sacks on the season, while overall the team totaled 32.
Schedule
| Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Week | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Date | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Result | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Record | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Game Site | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Recap | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 17 | **[Philadelphia Eagles](1972-philadelphia-eagles-season)** | **W** 28–6 | 1–0 | Texas Stadium | 55,850 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197209170dal.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 24 | at **[New York Giants](1972-new-york-giants-season)** | **W** 23–14 | 2–0 | Yankee Stadium | 62,725 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197209240nyg.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 1 | at [Green Bay Packers](1972-green-bay-packers-season) | **L** 13–16 | 2–1 | Milwaukee County Stadium | 47,103 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210010gnb.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 8 | [Pittsburgh Steelers](1972-pittsburgh-steelers-season) | **W** 17–13 | 3–1 | Texas Stadium | 65,682 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210080dal.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 15 | at [Baltimore Colts](1972-baltimore-colts-season) | **W** 21–0 | 4–1 | Memorial Stadium | 58,992 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210150clt.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 22 | at **[Washington Redskins](1972-washington-redskins-season)** | **L** 20–24 | 4–2 | RFK Stadium | 53,039 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210220was.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [Detroit Lions](1972-detroit-lions-season) | **W** 28–24 | 5–2 | Texas Stadium | 65,378 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210300dal.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 5 | at [San Diego Chargers](1972-san-diego-chargers-season) | **W** 34–28 | 6–2 | San Diego Stadium | 54,476 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211050sdg.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 12 | **[St. Louis Cardinals](1972-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season)** | **W** 33–24 | 7–2 | Texas Stadium | 65,218 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211120dal.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 19 | at **[Philadelphia Eagles](1972-philadelphia-eagles-season)** | **W** 28–7 | 8–2 | Veterans Stadium | 65,720 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211190phi.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 23 | [San Francisco 49ers](1972-san-francisco-49ers-season) | **L** 10–31 | 8–3 | Texas Stadium | 65,124 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211230dal.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 3 | at **[St. Louis Cardinals](1972-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season)** | **W** 27–6 | 9–3 | Busch Memorial Stadium | 49,787 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212030crd.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **[Washington Redskins](1972-washington-redskins-season)** | **W** 34–24 | 10–3 | Texas Stadium | 65,136 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212090dal.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 17 | **[New York Giants](1972-new-york-giants-season)** | **L** 3–23 | 10–4 | Texas Stadium | 64,602 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212170dal.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text. |
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
First quarter
- PHI – Tom Dempsey 30 yard field goal, Eagles 3–0 Second quarter
- PHI – Tom Dempsey 42 yard field goal, Eagles 6–0
- DAL – Ron Sellers 37 yard pass from Craig Morton (Toni Fritsch kick), Cowboys 7–6 Third quarter
- DAL – Lance Alworth 13 yard pass from Craig Morton (Toni Fritsch kick), Cowboys 14–6
- DAL – Calvin Hill 3 yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), Cowboys 21–6 Fourth quarter
- DAL – Robert Newhouse 1 yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), Cowboys 28–6 Top passers
- PHI – John Reaves – 11/19, 143 yards, 2 interceptions
- DAL – Craig Morton – 13/26, 235 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions Top rushers
- PHI – Po James – 13 carries, 28 yards
- DAL – Calvin Hill – 17 carries, 65 yards, 1 touchdown Top receivers
- PHI – Harold Jackson – 9 receptions, 161 yards
- DAL – Ron Sellers – 3 receptions, 88 yards, 1 touchdown
Week 2: at New York Giants
First quarter
- DAL – Walt Garrison 1 yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), Cowboys 7–0 Second quarter
- DAL – Toni Fritsch 54 yard field goal, Cowboys 10–0
- NYG – Rich Houston 55 yard pass from Norm Snead (Pete Gogolak kick), Cowboys 10–7 Third quarter
- DAL – Toni Fritsch 13 yard field goal, Cowboys 13–7 Fourth quarter
- DAL – Toni Fritsch 8 yard field goal, Cowboys 16–7
- NYG – Rich Houston 94 yard pass from Norm Snead (Pete Gogolak kick), Cowboys 16–14
- DAL – Lance Alworth 3 yard pass from Craig Morton (Toni Fritsch kick), Cowboys 23–14 Top passers
- DAL – Craig Morton – 15/27, 158 yards, 1 touchdown
- NYG – Norm Snead – 19/26, 298 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception Top rushers
- DAL – Calvin Hill – 20 carries, 91 yards
- NYG – Ron Johnson – 14 carries, 42 yards Top receivers
- DAL – Billy Parks – 4 receptions, 49 yards
- NYG – Rich Houston – 5 receptions, 175 yards, 2 touchdowns
Playoffs
Main article: 1972–73 NFL playoffs
| Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Round | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Date | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Result | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Game Site | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Dallas Cowboys | year=1972 | border=2}}" | Recap | [Divisional](1972-73-nfl-playoffs-nfc-dallas-cowboys-30-san-francisco-49ers-28) | [NFC Championship](1972-73-nfl-playoffs-nfc-championship-washington-redskins-26-dallas-cowboys-3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at [San Francisco 49ers](1972-san-francisco-49ers-season) | **W** 30–28 | Candlestick Park | 61,214 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212230sfo.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 1972 | at [Washington Redskins](1972-washington-redskins-season) | **L** 3–26 | RFK Stadium | 53,129 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212310was.htm) |
Standings
Season recap
The Dallas Cowboys since its inception have always had cheerleaders, but during the team preparations to defend their World Championship title in 1972, a turning point in cheerleader history would be made with the creation of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, wearing new star spangled uniforms and performing dance routines, instead of the traditional acrobatic displays.
The Cowboys qualified for the playoffs a record seventh consecutive year.
Roster
| Dallas Cowboys 1972 roster |
|---|
| **Quarterbacks** |
Trivia
This season marks the first time in Cowboys history they wore their white jerseys for every game. The second and only other time so far was 2010.
Publications
- The Football Encyclopedia
- Total Football
- Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes
References
References
- "1972 Dallas Cowboys". Pro Football Reference.
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
Ask Mako anything about 1972 Dallas Cowboys season — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report