2011 Dallas Cowboys season
The Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 52nd season in the National Football League, 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 failed to make the playoffs after their loss to the New York Giants for the NFC East division title in the final game of their season, who later went on to win the Super Bowl.
2011 draft class
NotesThe 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.| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
| 1 | August 11 | Denver Broncos | W 24–23 | 1–0 | Cowboys Stadium | |
| 2 | August 21 | San Diego Chargers | L 7–20 | 1–1 | Cowboys Stadium | |
| 3 | August 27 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 23–17 | 2–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | |
| 4 | September 1 | at Miami Dolphins | L 3–17 | 2–2 | Sun Life Stadium |
Schedule
Game summaries
Week 1: at New York Jets
Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers
Week 3: vs. Washington Redskins
Week 4: vs. Detroit Lions
With their second loss to the Lions at home in five years, the Cowboys fell to 2–2.Week 6: at New England Patriots
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 8: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 9: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 10: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 11: at Washington Redskins
Week 12: vs. Miami Dolphins
Thanksgiving Day gameComing 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 and linebacker DeMarcus Ware were named NFL on CBS' All-Iron Award winners.