What Is 2018 Dallas Cowboys football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Dallas Cowboys finished the NFL season with a 10-6 record, winning the NFC East division. They lost in the Wild Card round to the Seattle Seahawks 24-22 on January 5, 2019.

Key Facts

Finished regular season with a 10-6 record under head coach Jason Garrett
Won the NFC East division title for the second time in three years
Dak Prescott threw for 3,885 yards and 22 touchdowns during the season
Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 1,434 yards, leading the NFL in rushing attempts (301)
Lost 24-22 to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round on January 5, 2019

Overview

The 2018 Dallas Cowboys represented one of the more competitive seasons in the franchise's recent history. Under head coach Jason Garrett, the team finished with a 10-6 record, securing first place in the NFC East. Despite early-season inconsistencies, strong performances from quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott propelled them into the postseason.

The Cowboys entered the year with high expectations after narrowly missing the playoffs in 2017. A mid-season surge, including a five-game winning streak from Week 7 to Week 11, solidified their playoff position. Their offense ranked in the top 10 in total yards, but defensive shortcomings ultimately limited their postseason success.

Dak Prescott started all 16 games, throwing for 3,885 yards and 22 touchdowns with a 97.2 passer rating, marking his most efficient season to date.
Ezekiel Elliott led the NFL in carries with 301 rushing attempts and amassed 1,434 rushing yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
The offensive line, dubbed one of the best in football, allowed only 22 sacks all season, protecting Prescott effectively throughout the year.
Defensively, the team struggled in pass coverage, allowing a league-worst 298.6 passing yards per game, which hurt their playoff performance.
The Cowboys clinched the NFC East on December 30, 2018, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 24-0 in a decisive Week 17 shutout.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 2018 campaign was defined by offensive dominance and defensive vulnerability. While the Cowboys controlled time of possession and scored consistently, their inability to stop high-powered passing attacks proved costly in the postseason.

Week 1 Start: The Cowboys opened the season with a 16-8 loss to the Carolina Panthers, struggling offensively in humid conditions at AT&T Stadium.
Mid-Season Surge: From Week 7 to Week 11, Dallas won five straight games, including a 30-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football.
Dez Bryant Departure: After being released in April 2018, Dez Bryant sat out the season, marking the first year without him since 2009.
Amari Cooper Trade: In a pivotal mid-season move, Dallas acquired Amari Cooper from Oakland on October 16, 2018, boosting the receiving corps significantly.
Cooper's Impact: After joining the team, Cooper recorded 725 receiving yards and six touchdowns in just nine regular-season games.
Playoff Exit: In the Wild Card round on January 5, 2019, the Cowboys lost 24-22 to the Seattle Seahawks, missing a potential game-winning field goal in the final seconds.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2018 Cowboys to recent seasons reveals trends in performance, roster changes, and playoff outcomes.

Season	Record	Division Finish	Playoff Result	Key Addition
2018	10-6	1st (NFC East)	Lost in Wild Card (vs. Seahawks)	Amari Cooper (mid-season trade)
2017	9-7	3rd (NFC East)	Did not qualify	None major
2016	13-3	1st (NFC East)	Lost in Divisional Round	Ezekiel Elliott (Rookie)
2015	4-12	4th (NFC East)	Did not qualify	Greg Hardy (released mid-season)
2014	12-4	1st (NFC East)	Lost in Divisional Round	Dez Bryant (contract extension)

The 2018 season marked a step forward from 2017 but fell short of the dominant 2016 campaign. The acquisition of Amari Cooper was a turning point, immediately improving the passing game. However, defensive inefficiencies and late-game execution issues prevented deeper playoff advancement, echoing challenges from previous years.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a transitional year that highlighted both the strengths of Dallas’s core players and the need for defensive upgrades. It reinforced the team’s reliance on a strong running game and exposed vulnerabilities in secondary play.

The trade for Amari Cooper set a precedent for aggressive mid-season moves to bolster playoff chances.
Ezekiel Elliott solidified his status as a top-tier running back, logging over 1,400 rushing yards for the second time in three seasons.
The offensive line’s dominance helped Dallas lead the league in time of possession at 32:21 per game.
Defensive struggles, especially against the pass, led to the eventual hiring of Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator in 2019.
The narrow playoff loss underscored the importance of situational execution, as Dallas missed a 47-yard field goal in the final minute.
This season laid the foundation for future roster decisions, including contract extensions and draft focus on defensive talent.

Ultimately, the 2018 Dallas Cowboys demonstrated resilience and offensive firepower but fell just short of postseason success, a recurring theme in the franchise’s recent history.