What Is 2019 Dallas Cowboys football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Dallas Cowboys finished the NFL season with an 8-8 record, placing second in the NFC East under head coach Jason Garrett. They failed to make the playoffs after a 2-3 start and inconsistent offensive performance.

Key Facts

Finished the 2019 season with an 8-8 record
Coached by Jason Garrett in his final season with the team
Drew 328,893 fans across eight home games at AT&T Stadium
Ranked 5th in total offense with 383.5 yards per game
Lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, eliminating playoff hopes

Overview

The 2019 Dallas Cowboys season marked the 60th year of the franchise in the NFL and the third consecutive year under quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. Despite high expectations and a strong offensive line, the team struggled with consistency, finishing with an 8-8 record and missing the playoffs for the second time in three years.

Head coach Jason Garrett was in his final season at the helm, and the team faced scrutiny for its inability to perform in crucial moments. The Cowboys showed flashes of dominance, particularly on offense, but defensive lapses and late-game collapses ultimately derailed their postseason hopes.

Dak Prescott threw for 3,828 yards and 30 touchdowns, marking his most productive season to date and setting a career high in passing yards.
Ezekiel Elliott led the NFL in rushing attempts with 301 and finished second in rushing yards with 1,777, showcasing his durability and workload.
The Cowboys averaged 27.6 points per game, ranking 6th in the league, powered by a top-tier offensive line and efficient red zone scoring.
Defensively, the team allowed 22.6 points per game, finishing 21st in points allowed, with inconsistent pass coverage and tackling issues.
They played to a 3-5 record in one-score games, highlighting their struggles in close, high-pressure situations.

Performance & Season Breakdown

The 2019 campaign was defined by missed opportunities and a late-season collapse that left fans disappointed. Despite a top-five offense, the Cowboys couldn’t overcome defensive shortcomings and poor record in divisional matchups.

Week 1 Victory: The Cowboys opened with a 35-17 win over the New York Giants, signaling early promise with strong performances from Prescott and Elliott.
Defensive Struggles: In a Week 4 loss to the Saints, the defense allowed 44 points, exposing vulnerabilities against elite passing attacks.
Offensive Line Dominance: The unit allowed only 25 sacks all season, ranking among the best in the league in pass protection.
Home Field Advantage: Dallas went 5-3 at AT&T Stadium, drawing some of the largest crowds in the NFL, with an average of over 90,000 per game.
Coaching Transition: Jason Garrett’s contract was not renewed after the season, paving the way for Mike McCarthy’s hiring in January 2020.
Final Game: A 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 officially eliminated the Cowboys from playoff contention.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2019 Cowboys stacked up against key NFC contenders:

Team	Record	Points For	Points Against	Playoff Result
Dallas Cowboys	8-8	441	362	Did not qualify
Green Bay Packers	13-3	400	282	Lost in NFC Championship
Seattle Seahawks	11-5	428	320	Lost in Divisional Round
San Francisco 49ers	13-3	466	316	Lost in Super Bowl
Philadelphia Eagles	9-7	377	356	Lost in Wild Card Round

The Cowboys’ 8-8 record placed them in the middle of the NFC pack, but their point differential and performance in close games indicated they were not among the conference’s elite. While they outscored their division rivals in total points, their 3-3 record in NFC East games proved costly. The data shows that despite offensive firepower, lack of defensive consistency and poor situational execution kept them from postseason contention.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a turning point for the Cowboys, marking the end of the Jason Garrett era and setting the stage for a new direction. The team’s failure to advance despite offensive success prompted major organizational changes, including a new head coach and renewed focus on defensive improvement.

The decision not to re-sign Jason Garrett signaled a shift in leadership philosophy and opened the door for Mike McCarthy’s return to coaching.
Dak Prescott’s performance strengthened his case for a record-setting contract, which he eventually signed in 2021 after playing on a franchise tag.
The team’s reliance on the run game underscored the need for more balanced offensive development in future seasons.
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli remained, but the unit underwent significant personnel changes in the offseason.
Attendance and merchandise sales remained high, reflecting the team’s enduring popularity despite on-field mediocrity.
The 2019 season highlighted the gap between talent and results, a theme the franchise sought to address in subsequent years.

Ultimately, the 2019 Dallas Cowboys serve as a case study in how strong individual performances and offensive dominance are not enough to guarantee playoff success without defensive reliability and clutch execution.