Cowboys All Time Opening Game History

[DandyDon52]

Still blows my mind that under Landry the Cowboys won 17 straight opening games from 1965-81. That is still unbelievable.

landry was obsessed with the opening games, he drilled it in players heads, that it is stupid to lose the first game, as you have months
to prepare for it.
It is also better to start season with a win.

 

[Brooksey]

This is long, but it contains every opener the Cowboys have played and results….

This September, the Dallas Cowboys will kick off their 65th season as an NFL team. Since it’s opening season in 1960, the Cowboys are 40-23-1 all time in its opening games. The very first regular season Cowboys game was held Sept.24th, 1960 in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. We lost 35-28. Amazingly, the first 7 season openers of Cowboys football were all home games.

OPENING GAMES EACH SEASON (*denotes SB winning season)

• 1960 - vs. Pitts. L 35-28
• 1961 - vs. Pitts. (again!) W 27-24
• 1962 - vs. Washington, T 35-35
• 1963 - vs. St. Louis Cards L 34-7
• 1964 - vs. St. Louis Cards L 16-6
• 1965 - vs. NY Giants W 31-2
• 1966 - vs. NY giants W 52-7
• 1967 - @ Cleveland W 21-14
• 1968 - vs. Detroit Lions W 52-14
• 1969 - vs. St. Louis Cards W 24-14

The Cowboys were 6-3-1 in opening games in the 60s.

• 1970 - @ Phila Eagles W 17-7
• 1971* - @ LA Rams W 45-21
• 1972 - vs. Phila eagles W 28-6
• 1973 - @Chi Bears W 20-17
• 1974 - @Atlanta Falcons W 24-0
• 1975 - vs. LA Rams W 18-7
• 1976 - vs. Phil eagles W 27-7
• 1977*- @Minn Vikings W 16-10 in first reg season OT game in NFL history)
• 1978 - vs. Balt Colts W 38-0
• 1979 - @ St. Louis Cards W 22-21

The Cowboys were undefeated on opening games in the 1970s, going 10-0. In fact from 1965-81, the Cowboys won 17 straight opening games.

• 1980 - @ Washington W 17-3
• 1981 - @ Washington W 26-3
• 1982 - vs. Pitt Steelers L 36-28
• 1983 - @ Washington W 31-30
• 1984 - @LA Rams W 20-13
• 1985- vs Washington W 44-14
• 1986 - vs NYG W 31-28
• 1987 - @ STL Cards L 24-13
• 1988 - @ Pitt Steelers L 24-21
• 1989 - @ New Orl Saints L 28-0

The Cowboys were 6-4 in opening games in the 1980s

• 1990 - vs San Diego Chargers W 17-14
• 1991 - @Cle Browns W 26-14
• 1992*- vs Washington W 23-10
• 1993*- @Washinton L 35-16
• 1994- @ Pitts Steelers W 26-9
• 1995*- @ NY giants W 35-0
• 1996- @ Chi Bears L 22-6
• 1997- @ Pitts Steelers W 27-7
• 1998- vs Ariz Cards W 38-10
• 1999- @ Washington W 41-35 OT

In the 90s, the Cowboys were 8-2 in openers, and amazingly 7 of 10 openers that decade on the road.

• 2000 - vs Phi eagles L 41-14
• 2001 - vs Tampa Bay L 10-6
• 2002- @ Hou Texans L 19-10
• 2003- vs Atl Falcons L 27-13
• 2004- @ Minn Vikings L 35-17
• 2005- @ SD Chargers W 28-24
• 2006- @ Jax Jaguars L 24-17
• 2007- vs NYG W 45-35
• 2008- @ Cle Browns W 28-10
• 2009- @ Tampa Bay W 34-21

The 2000-2009 decade was a bad one for season openers- we were 4-6, including 5 straight losses.

• 2010- @ Washington L 13-7
• 2011- @ NY Jets L 27-24
• 2012- @ NY giants W 24-17
• 2013- vs NY giants W 36-31
• 2014 vs SF Niners L 28-17
• 2015- vs NY giants W 27-26
• 2016- vs NY giants L 20-19
• 2017- vs NY giants W 19-3
• 2018 - @Carolina Panthers L 16-8
• 2019- vs NY giants W 35-17

2010-19, the Cowboys were 6-4 in openers and played the giants 6 times in openers.

• 2020- @LA Rams L 2017
• 2021- @ Tampa Bay L 31-29
• 2022- vs Tampa Bay L 19-3
• 2023- @ NY giants W 40-0

Yes it’s long, but hopefully interesting.

Pretty impressive against the Giants...I'd love a shot at GB Sunday night for this year's opener

 

[Bobhaze]

landry was obsessed with the opening games, he drilled it in players heads, that it is stupid to lose the first game, as you have months
to prepare for it.
It is also better to start season with a win.

So true about Landry. His #1 quality of greatness was his teams were always prepared.

The opener truly is a game you should be uber prepared for. You know who you are playing about 4.5 months in advance. No other game during the year do you have this much time to prepare for an opponent.

 

[Flamma]

This is long, but it contains every opener the Cowboys have played and results….

This September, the Dallas Cowboys will kick off their 65th season as an NFL team. Since it’s opening season in 1960, the Cowboys are 40-23-1 all time in its opening games. The very first regular season Cowboys game was held Sept.24th, 1960 in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. We lost 35-28. Amazingly, the first 7 season openers of Cowboys football were all home games.

OPENING GAMES EACH SEASON (*denotes SB winning season)

• 1960 - vs. Pitts. L 35-28
• 1961 - vs. Pitts. (again!) W 27-24
• 1962 - vs. Washington, T 35-35
• 1963 - vs. St. Louis Cards L 34-7
• 1964 - vs. St. Louis Cards L 16-6
• 1965 - vs. NY Giants W 31-2
• 1966 - vs. NY giants W 52-7
• 1967 - @ Cleveland W 21-14
• 1968 - vs. Detroit Lions W 52-14
• 1969 - vs. St. Louis Cards W 24-14

The Cowboys were 6-3-1 in opening games in the 60s.

• 1970 - @ Phila Eagles W 17-7
• 1971* - @ LA Rams W 45-21
• 1972 - vs. Phila eagles W 28-6
• 1973 - @Chi Bears W 20-17
• 1974 - @Atlanta Falcons W 24-0
• 1975 - vs. LA Rams W 18-7
• 1976 - vs. Phil eagles W 27-7
• 1977*- @Minn Vikings W 16-10 in first reg season OT game in NFL history)
• 1978 - vs. Balt Colts W 38-0
• 1979 - @ St. Louis Cards W 22-21

The Cowboys were undefeated on opening games in the 1970s, going 10-0. In fact from 1965-81, the Cowboys won 17 straight opening games.

• 1980 - @ Washington W 17-3
• 1981 - @ Washington W 26-3
• 1982 - vs. Pitt Steelers L 36-28
• 1983 - @ Washington W 31-30
• 1984 - @LA Rams W 20-13
• 1985- vs Washington W 44-14
• 1986 - vs NYG W 31-28
• 1987 - @ STL Cards L 24-13
• 1988 - @ Pitt Steelers L 24-21
• 1989 - @ New Orl Saints L 28-0

The Cowboys were 6-4 in opening games in the 1980s

• 1990 - vs San Diego Chargers W 17-14
• 1991 - @Cle Browns W 26-14
• 1992*- vs Washington W 23-10
• 1993*- @Washinton L 35-16
• 1994- @ Pitts Steelers W 26-9
• 1995*- @ NY giants W 35-0
• 1996- @ Chi Bears L 22-6
• 1997- @ Pitts Steelers W 27-7
• 1998- vs Ariz Cards W 38-10
• 1999- @ Washington W 41-35 OT

In the 90s, the Cowboys were 8-2 in openers, and amazingly 7 of 10 openers that decade on the road.

• 2000 - vs Phi eagles L 41-14
• 2001 - vs Tampa Bay L 10-6
• 2002- @ Hou Texans L 19-10
• 2003- vs Atl Falcons L 27-13
• 2004- @ Minn Vikings L 35-17
• 2005- @ SD Chargers W 28-24
• 2006- @ Jax Jaguars L 24-17
• 2007- vs NYG W 45-35
• 2008- @ Cle Browns W 28-10
• 2009- @ Tampa Bay W 34-21

The 2000-2009 decade was a bad one for season openers- we were 4-6, including 5 straight losses.

• 2010- @ Washington L 13-7
• 2011- @ NY Jets L 27-24
• 2012- @ NY giants W 24-17
• 2013- vs NY giants W 36-31
• 2014 vs SF Niners L 28-17
• 2015- vs NY giants W 27-26
• 2016- vs NY giants L 20-19
• 2017- vs NY giants W 19-3
• 2018 - @Carolina Panthers L 16-8
• 2019- vs NY giants W 35-17

2010-19, the Cowboys were 6-4 in openers and played the giants 6 times in openers.

• 2020- @LA Rams L 2017
• 2021- @ Tampa Bay L 31-29
• 2022- vs Tampa Bay L 19-3
• 2023- @ NY giants W 40-0

Yes it’s long, but hopefully interesting.

The best part, we only lost once to the Giants on opening day. By one point. Our QBs first start ever.

 

[Cowboys5217]

3-3 versus the Steelers. I didn't realize we had played them that many times in week 1.

 

[plasticman]

'Spiracy!!!

Or maybe there was an effort to avoid late Summer Texas heat at the start of the football season until the new stadium was built. Since 2010, there have been 7 home and 7 road openers. See? I can do "theory" with the best of ya's.

Or, you could note that 4 of the last 6 were away games. You definitely want to take care of those away games against the Rams and Bucs before the snow comes.

 

[MarcusRock]

Or, you could note that 4 of the last 6 were away games. You definitely want to take care of those away games against the Rams and Bucs before the snow comes.

Sure, if you leave out that we opened at home 5 straight seasons in a row right before that. Unprecedented except the 7 straight years to start the franchise's existence. My point again is that it's 7-7 since the new stadium with fancy air-conditioning was built. Even Steven. Coincidence?

 

[GMO415]

Bullet! Fox wanted to ensure people turn in to their new $375 Million dollar NFL broadcaster, by adding Dallas. Its too obvious.

 

[Flinger]

ah... those 70's were a very good year...

 

[Motorola]

Anybody notice the disparity in home openers versus away openers since the merger?

Since 1970.......33 away openers.....21 home opener.....

So much for parity and balance.

Does the Cowboys' minus 12 game discrepancy in home versus away season openers over the last half century exceed the rest of the teams by a large margin - or are there a number of other teams that have a similar history.
AND - have there been a select few teams that have experienced home season openers way more than being on the road?
I'm going to research it.

 

[Motorola]

The Cowboys have played every NFC South team at least one time to start a season - but have never played any AFC East team in a season opener.
All NFC teams have played Dallas to start a season except two - Seattle and ....Green Bay (odd).
10 AFC teams have yet to play the Cowboys to begin a season.

Addressing my oversight - the Cowboys have played one AFC East team in a season opener - Jets in 2011.
Still only one of four__not one time against the Bills, Dolphins, or Patriots.
The same applies to the AFC West__one game against the Chargers to open a season ...but none versus the Broncos, Chiefs, and Raiders.

 

[blueblood70]

As interesting as that seems and like they talked about above we hardly ever play an AFC team but I can't think of a worse matchup right out of the gate is they have to play the Browns especially on the road and anyone notice lately how many games are on the road to start the season I mean we also finished the season with a ton on the road seems to be a conspiracy theory lol...

But with the Browns didn't they have the number one defense in the league last year they could stop the run real good pass rush I mean typically we're slow out of the gate getting our run game together and stopping the run this cannot be a worse match up from where I stand they're usually a pretty good run game Trayvon diggs has to possibly face amari Cooper and he's just coming off an injury I mean it would have been better as much as I hate to face the NFC E so much in game one at least you know them pretty well I I think the AFC particularly the Browns seemed to be a bad matchup right now because where we will probably be better game six and beyond figuring out our run game with the new guys on the offensive line and you know trying to improve our run game and stopping the run this just doesn't seem like a good match up to me literally gonna be tested in all our weakest areas game one....

 

[Motorola]

3-3 versus the Steelers. I didn't realize we had played them that many times in week 1.

And what's odd about it...the six matchups were relatively close together by pairings.
First two__back-to back seasons__ 1960-61.
Steelers were one of 12 teams in the old NFL before Cowboys became the 13th team in 1960 (followed by the Vikings in 1961 to make it 14).
Second two__in the 80's - six seasons apart__1982 and 1988.
Third two___1994 and 1997.
But it's a long interval since.

 

[Motorola]

ah... those 70's were a very good year...

"It Was A Very Good Year"
------ Frank Sinatra, 1965

 

[Bobhaze]

Interesting bit of history about opening the season at Cleveland this September…

Fifty-seven years ago, the Cowboys opened the 1967 season in Cleveland against the browns, winning the game 21-14. Its was the 3rd of an amazing 17 straight opening game wins from 1965-1981.

In that opening game that day against Cleveland in ‘67, two TDs were scored by future Cowboys Hall of Famers. “Bullet” Bob Hayes caught a 22 yd TD from Don Meredith and later, future Cowboys HOF LB Chuck Howley had a 28 yd interception return for a TD.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

As an adult I’m still amazed that he as a coach, with his personality, made a little kid a Cowboys fan.

Innovative…a trend setter, not a follower. The ultimate in classy human behavior.

We have about the opposite these days. Stripper busses and outdated schemes.

More and more I begin to realize that I’ve had my day with this being fun, or even about football. Jerry’s ego wins. Stephens inheritance benefits. Yay!

Let it out.

 

[Flinger]

"It Was A Very Good Year"
------ Frank Sinatra, 1965

Singular

 

[Bobhaze]

The first time we opened the season in Cle was in 1967 and we made it to the conference final that year. Then in 1991 we also opened at Cle the year before our 90s SB run began .

Would love to see history repeat.

 

[xwalker]

This is long, but it contains every opener the Cowboys have played and results….

This September, the Dallas Cowboys will kick off their 65th season as an NFL team. Since it’s opening season in 1960, the Cowboys are 40-23-1 all time in its opening games. The very first regular season Cowboys game was held Sept.24th, 1960 in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. We lost 35-28. Amazingly, the first 7 season openers of Cowboys football were all home games.

OPENING GAMES EACH SEASON (*denotes SB winning season)

• 1960 - vs. Pitts. L 35-28
• 1961 - vs. Pitts. (again!) W 27-24
• 1962 - vs. Washington, T 35-35
• 1963 - vs. St. Louis Cards L 34-7
• 1964 - vs. St. Louis Cards L 16-6
• 1965 - vs. NY Giants W 31-2
• 1966 - vs. NY giants W 52-7
• 1967 - @ Cleveland W 21-14
• 1968 - vs. Detroit Lions W 52-14
• 1969 - vs. St. Louis Cards W 24-14

The Cowboys were 6-3-1 in opening games in the 60s.

• 1970 - @ Phila Eagles W 17-7
• 1971* - @ LA Rams W 45-21
• 1972 - vs. Phila eagles W 28-6
• 1973 - @Chi Bears W 20-17
• 1974 - @Atlanta Falcons W 24-0
• 1975 - vs. LA Rams W 18-7
• 1976 - vs. Phil eagles W 27-7
• 1977*- @Minn Vikings W 16-10 in first reg season OT game in NFL history)
• 1978 - vs. Balt Colts W 38-0
• 1979 - @ St. Louis Cards W 22-21

The Cowboys were undefeated on opening games in the 1970s, going 10-0. In fact from 1965-81, the Cowboys won 17 straight opening games.

• 1980 - @ Washington W 17-3
• 1981 - @ Washington W 26-3
• 1982 - vs. Pitt Steelers L 36-28
• 1983 - @ Washington W 31-30
• 1984 - @LA Rams W 20-13
• 1985- vs Washington W 44-14
• 1986 - vs NYG W 31-28
• 1987 - @ STL Cards L 24-13
• 1988 - @ Pitt Steelers L 24-21
• 1989 - @ New Orl Saints L 28-0

The Cowboys were 6-4 in opening games in the 1980s

• 1990 - vs San Diego Chargers W 17-14
• 1991 - @Cle Browns W 26-14
• 1992*- vs Washington W 23-10
• 1993*- @Washinton L 35-16
• 1994- @ Pitts Steelers W 26-9
• 1995*- @ NY giants W 35-0
• 1996- @ Chi Bears L 22-6
• 1997- @ Pitts Steelers W 27-7
• 1998- vs Ariz Cards W 38-10
• 1999- @ Washington W 41-35 OT

In the 90s, the Cowboys were 8-2 in openers, and amazingly 7 of 10 openers that decade on the road.

• 2000 - vs Phi eagles L 41-14
• 2001 - vs Tampa Bay L 10-6
• 2002- @ Hou Texans L 19-10
• 2003- vs Atl Falcons L 27-13
• 2004- @ Minn Vikings L 35-17
• 2005- @ SD Chargers W 28-24
• 2006- @ Jax Jaguars L 24-17
• 2007- vs NYG W 45-35
• 2008- @ Cle Browns W 28-10
• 2009- @ Tampa Bay W 34-21

The 2000-2009 decade was a bad one for season openers- we were 4-6, including 5 straight losses.

• 2010- @ Washington L 13-7
• 2011- @ NY Jets L 27-24
• 2012- @ NY giants W 24-17
• 2013- vs NY giants W 36-31
• 2014 vs SF Niners L 28-17
• 2015- vs NY giants W 27-26
• 2016- vs NY giants L 20-19
• 2017- vs NY giants W 19-3
• 2018 - @Carolina Panthers L 16-8
• 2019- vs NY giants W 35-17

2010-19, the Cowboys were 6-4 in openers and played the giants 6 times in openers.

• 2020- @LA Rams L 2017
• 2021- @ Tampa Bay L 31-29
• 2022- vs Tampa Bay L 19-3
• 2023- @ NY giants W 40-0

Yes it’s long, but hopefully interesting.

Super Bowl Winning Seasons...
71
77
92
93
95

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades...

Streaks of No Super Bowl Wins by Head Coach:

Landry
1978 to 1988
1960 to 1970

Garrett
2011 to 2019

Side Note:
Regular Season Wins in final 2 seasons:
Landry 10 total
Garrett 18 total.

Why did the GM tolerate Landry for 11 seasons with zero Super Bowl wins?

Jerry fired his red-headed stepson after only 9...

 

[Flamma]

So true about Landry. His #1 quality of greatness was his teams were always prepared.

The opener truly is a game you should be uber prepared for. You know who you are playing about 4.5 months in advance. No other game during the year do you have this much time to prepare for an opponent.

It's much worse now, but teams have always changed throughout the course of the season from opening day. This goes back to the 80s. Don't take much out of week 1. Not the case with the Landry Cowboys. What you saw in week 1, you saw in week 10. He had them totally prepared. That's why the Cowboys got off to good starts in many seasons. Then teams would catch up throughout the course of the year. We beat two super bowl teams in week 1 of 1983 and 1986. Those teams were much better by the end of the season.