2011 Dallas Cowboys season

2011 draft class

Main article: 2011 NFL draft

Notes The Cowboys forfeited its original seventh-round selection after selecting defensive tackle Josh Brent in the 2010 supplemental draft.

• The Cowboys later acquired a new seventh-round selection in a trade that sent wide receiver Patrick Crayton to the San Diego Chargers.

Schedule

Preseason

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

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: at New York Jets

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
• DAL – Tony Romo – 23/36, 342 yards, 2 TD, INT
• NYJ – Mark Sanchez – 26/44, 335 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• DAL – Felix Jones – 17 rushes, 44 yards
• NYJ – Shonn Greene – 10 rushes, 26 yards Top receivers
• DAL – Jason Witten – 6 receptions, 110 yards
• NYJ – LaDainian Tomlinson – 6 receptions, 73 yards Top tacklers
• DAL – DeMarcus Ware – 4 tackles, 2 sacks
• NYJ – Bart Scott – 8 tackles, 1 sack

Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers

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
• DAL – Tony Romo - 20/33. 345 yards, 2 TD
• SF – Alex Smith - 16/24, 179 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• DAL – Felix Jones - 9 carries, 25 yards
• SF – Frank Gore - 20 carries, 47 yards, TD Top receivers
• DAL – Miles Austin - 9 receptions, 143 yards, 3 TD
• SF – Ted Ginn Jr. - 4 receptions, 38 yards; Delanie Walker - 2 receptions, 38 yards, TD Top tacklers
• DAL – Sean Lee - 10 tackles
• SF – NaVorro Bowman - 11 tackles

Week 3: vs. Washington Redskins

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
• WAS - Rex Grossman - 22/37, 250 yards, TD, INT
• DAL - Tony Romo - 22/36, 255 yards, INT Top rushers
• WAS – Tim Hightower – 14 carries, 41 yards
• DAL – Felix Jones – 14 carries, 115 yards Top receivers
• WAS – Santana Moss – 5 receptions, 70 yards
• DAL – Dez Bryant – 4 receptions, 63 yards Top tacklers
• WAS – O.J. Atogwe – 6 tackles; DeAngelo Hall – 6 tackles
• DAL – Gerald Sensabaugh – 6 tackles, 1 assist

Week 4: vs. Detroit Lions

Gamebook 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
• DET – Matthew Stafford – 21/43, 240 yards, 2 TD, INT
• DAL – Tony Romo – 34/47, 331 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT Top rushers
• DET – Jahvid Best – 11 carries, 47 yards
• DAL – Felix Jones – 16 carries, 57 yards Top receivers
• DET – Calvin Johnson – 8 receptions, 96 yards, 2 TD
• DAL – Laurent Robinson – 7 receptions, 116 yards Top tacklers
• DET – Stephen Tulloch – 10 tackles, 2 assists, INT
• DAL – Barry Church – 4 tackles, 1 assist With their second loss to the Lions at home in five years, the Cowboys fell to 2–2.

Week 6: at New England Patriots

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
• DAL – DeMarco Murray - 11 carries, 34 yards
• NE – BenJarvus Green-Ellis - 14 carries, 58 yards Top receivers
• DAL – Dez Bryant - 4 receptions, 78 yards
• NE – Rob Gronkowski - 7 receptions, 74 yards Top tacklers
• DAL – Sean Lee - 12 tackles
• NE – Kyle Arrington - 11 tackles

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

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
• STL – AJ Feeley - 20/33, 196 yards, INT
• DAL – Tony Romo - 14/24, 166 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• STL – Steven Jackson - 18 carries, 70 yards, TD
• DAL – DeMarco Murray - 25 carries, 253 yards, TD Top receivers
• STL – Brandon Lloyd - 6 receptions, 74 yards
• DAL – Dez Bryant - 5 receptions, 90 yards, TD Top tacklers
• STL – Quintin Mikell - 10 tackles
• DAL – Abram Elam - 8 tackles This game is notable for DeMarco Murray, in his first NFL start, setting the Cowboys single game rushing record.

Week 8: at Philadelphia Eagles

First quarter

• PHI - Jeremy Maclin 12-yard pass from Michael Vick (Alex Henery kick), 10:41. ''Eagles 7-0. '''Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 4:19.'''''
• PHI - LeSean McCoy 2-yard run (Alex Henery kick), 2:40. ''Eagles 14-0. '''Drive: 7 plays, 90 yards, 4:21.''''' 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
• DAL – Tony Romo - 18/35, 203 yards, TD, INT
• PHI – Michael Vick - 21/28, 279 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• DAL – DeMarco Murray - 8 carries, 74 yards
• PHI – LeSean McCoy - 30 carries, 185 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• DAL – Laurent Robinson - 5 receptions, 103 yards, TD
• PHI – Brent Celek - 7 receptions, 94 yards, TD Top tacklers
• DAL – DeMarcus Ware - 11 tackles, 4 sacks
• PHI – Jamar Chaney - 7 tackles

Week 9: vs. Seattle Seahawks

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
• SEA – Tarvaris Jackson - 17/30, 221 yards, 3 INT
• DAL – Tony Romo - 19/31, 279 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• SEA – Marshawn Lynch - 23 rushes, 135 yards, TD
• DAL – DeMarco Murray - 22 rushes, 139 yards Top receivers
• SEA – Sidney Rice - 3 receptions, 69 yards
• DAL – Dez Bryant - 4 receptions, 76 yards Top tacklers
• SEA – Earl Thomas - 8 tackles
• DAL – Orlando Scandrick - 7 tackles

Week 10: vs. Buffalo Bills

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
• BUF - Ryan Fitzpatrick - 20/31, 146 yards, TD, 3 INT
• DAL - Tony Romo - 23/26, 270 yards, 3 TD 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
• BUF - Jairus Byrd - 8 tackles, 2 assists; George Wilson - 8 tackles, 2 assists
• DAL - Keith Brooking - 5 tackles, 2 assists; Gerald Sensabaugh - 5 tackles, 2 assists
• BUF -

Week 11: at Washington Redskins

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
• DAL – Tony Romo - 23/37, 292 yards, 3 TD
• WAS – Rex Grossman - 25/38, 292 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• DAL – DeMarco Murray - 25 carries, 73 yards
• WAS – Roy Helu - 8 carries, 35 yards Top receivers
• DAL – Jason Witten - 3 receptions, 85 yards, TD
• WAS – Jabar Gaffney - 7 receptions, 115 yards, TD Top tacklers
• DAL – Sean Lee - 10 tackles, 4 assists
• WAS – London Fletcher - 16 tackles, 7 assists

Week 12: vs. Miami Dolphins

Thanksgiving Day game 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
• MIA – Reggie Bush - 16 carries, 61 yards
• DAL – DeMarco Murray - 22 carries, 87 yards Top receivers
• MIA – Brandon Marshall - 5 receptions, 103 yards, TD
• DAL – Laurent Robinson - 7 receptions, 79 yards, 2 TD Top tacklers
• MIA – Kevin Burnett - 12 tackles, 1 assist
• DAL – Anthony Spencer - 9 tackles, 2 assists

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

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
• ARI - LaRod Stephens-Howling 52-yard pass from Kevin Kolb, 11:43. ''Cardinals 19-13. '''Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 3:17.''''' Top passers
• DAL – Tony Romo - 28/42, 299 yards, TD
• ARI – Kevin Kolb 16/25, 247 yards, TD Top rushers
• DAL – DeMarco Murray - 12 carries, 38 yards
• ARI – Beanie Wells - 20 carries, 67 yards, TD Top receivers
• DAL – Dez Bryant - 8 receptions, 86 yards, TD
• ARI – Andre Roberts - 6 receptions, 111 yards Top tacklers
• DAL – Sean Lee - 7 tackles, 2 assists
• ARI – Daryl Washington - 9 tackles, assist

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.

Week 14: vs. New York Giants

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
• NYG – Eli Manning - 27/47, 400 yards, 2 TD, INT
• DAL – Tony Romo - 21/31, 321 yards, 4 TD Top rushers
• NYG - Brandon Jacobs - 19 carries, 101 yards, 2 TD
• DAL - Felix Jones - 16 carries, 106 yards Top receivers
• NYG – Hakeem Nicks - 8 receptions, 163 yards
• DAL – Laurent Robinson - 4 receptions, 137 yards, TD Top tacklers
• NYG – Jason Pierre-Paul - 8 tackles, 2 assists
• DAL – Sean Lee - 9 tackles 4 assists; Bradie James - 9 tackles, 5 assists

Week 15: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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
• DAL – Tony Romo - 23/30, 249 yards, 3 TD
• TB – Josh Freeman - 17/27, 148 yards, TD Top rushers
• DAL – Felix Jones - 22 carries, 108 yards
• TB – Josh Freeman - 4 carries, 37 yards Top receivers
• DAL – Miles Austin - 5 receptions, 53 yards, TD
• TB - Kregg Lumpkin - 5 receptions, 50 yards Top tacklers
• DAL – Orlando Scandrick – 5 tackles, 1 assist
• TB – Mason Foster – 5 tackles, 3 assists

Week 16: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

First quarter

• PHI - Brent Celek 13-yard pass from Michael Vick (Alex Henery kick), 11:30. ''Eagles 7-0. '''Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:30.''''' 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
• PHI – Michael Vick - 18/32, 293 yards, 2 TD
• DAL – Stephen McGee - 24/38, 182 yards, TD Top rushers
• PHI – LeSean McCoy - 13 carries, 35 yards
• DAL – Sammy Morris - 13 carries, 29 yards Top receivers
• PHI – DeSean Jackson - 5 receptions, 90 yards
• DAL – Dez Bryant - 6 receptions, 62 yards Top tacklers
• PHI – Nnamdi Asomugha - 8 tackles
• DAL – Anthony Spencer - 6 tackles

Week 17: at New York Giants

First quarter

• NYG – Victor Cruz 74-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 4:57. ''Giants 7–0. '''Drive: 6 plays, 96 yards, 2:49.''''' 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
• DAL – Laurent Robinson 34-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 6:54. ''Giants 21–7. '''Drive: 9 plays, 94 yards, 4:28.''''' 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
• DAL – Tony Romo – 29/37, 289 yards, 2 TD, INT
• NYG – Eli Manning – 24/33, 346 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
• DAL – Felix Jones – 11 carries, 30 yards
• NYG – Ahmad Bradshaw – 16 carries, 57 yards, TD Top receivers
• DAL – Dez Bryant – 6 receptions, 70 yards
• NYG – Victor Cruz – 6 receptions, 178 yards, TD Top tacklers
• DAL – Sean Lee - 11 tackles, 3 assists
• NYG – Michael Boley - 9 tackles, 2 assists With the loss, the Cowboys finished at 8–8 and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

Standings

Staff

• 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 coach – Jason Garrett

• Assistant head coach/wide receivers – Jimmy Robinson

• 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 coordinator – Rob Ryan

• Defensive line – Brian Baker

• Linebackers – Matt Eberflus

• Secondary – Dave Campo

• Secondary – Brett Maxie

• Defensive quality control/linebackers – Ben Bloom

• Defensive assistant- Dave Borgonzi

Special teams coaches

• Special teams coordinator – Joe DeCamillis
• Assistant special teams/kickers – Chris Boniol

Strength and conditioning

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

Rosters

Opening preseason roster

Week one roster

Final roster

References

References

1. (January 2, 2012). "Giants Defeat Cowboys to Take Final Playoff". The New York Times.
2. "2011 NFL Draft Pick Transactions". ProSportsTransactions.com.
3. (4 December 2011). "VIDEO: Jason Garrett Iced His Own Kicker".
4. "Garrett's decision to ice his own kicker numbs the brain".
5. link. (2012-01-07 NBC Flexes Muscles; Jan. 1 Game Moved)