- 1985 Dallas Cowboys season
Infobox NFL_season
team = Dallas Cowboys
year = 1985
record = 10-6
division_place = 1st inNFC East
coach =Tom Landry
stadium =Texas Stadium
playoffs = Lost Divisional Playoffs (Rams) 20-0The Cowboys finished the 1985 season with a record of ten wins and six losses, good for first place in the
NFC East , and earning a trip to the playoffs (the final postseason appearance for the Cowboys under Tom Landry), where they lost in a divisional playoff game to theLos Angeles Rams .Tom Landry's team got off to another fast start, opening the season with a 44-14 trouncing of their long time nemesis, the Redskins, and later on defeating the Steelers (their first victory over Pittsburgh since 1972) to give the team a 5-1 record and an early two game lead over the rest of the division. However, the team was up and down the rest of the way, finishing out the season 5-5 and allowing both the Giants and Redskins to catch up with them at 10-6. Two wins each over both the Giants and Redskins allowed the Cowboys to win the division based on the tiebreaking rules. During the inconsistent stretch toward the end of the season, the Cowboys suffered two of the most embarrassing defeats in team history. On November 17, the undefeated
Chicago Bears came toTexas Stadium and gave the Cowboys a 44-0 beating that was the worst loss in team history, and it was also the first time in 218 games that the Cowboys had not scored. Three weeks later the team traveled toCincinnati , where the Bengals handed them a 50-24 loss, piling up 570 yards in the process, the most yards the Cowboys had given up in team history. The Cowboys proved to be a resilient bunch however, winning a crucial game at home against the Giants the following week that gave them their first division title since 1981. That game would prove to be the last highlight of the season, as the team was shutout in the playoffs for the first time in team history, 20-0, by the Rams inAnaheim , which would prove to be the final playoff appearance for the Cowboys under Landry.With the previous season's
quarterback controversy behind him,Danny White led the Cowboys' passing game to number three overall in the league.Wide receiver Tony Hill posted career highs in receptions and receiving yards, andMike Renfro blossomed in his second season with the Cowboys.Tight end Doug Cosbie had another pro bowl season. Turnovers proved to be a problem though, as White and backup quarterbackGary Hogeboom combined to throw 24interceptions .Running back Tony Dorsett was the only reliable ball carrier on the roster, rushing for 1307 yards on the season, and going over 10,000 yards for his career. On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys registered 62 sacks and 33interceptions , withcornerback Everson Walls becoming the first player to ever lead the league in interceptions three times, with nine. The big plays covered up a pass defense that ranked 27th in the league, and a defense that ranked 23rd overall. The secondary allowed big plays through the air throughout the season, and the defense allowed running backEric Dickerson to rush for a playoff record 248 yards in their playoff game against the Rams.1985 NFL Draft
Playoff Schedule
Awards
* The Cowboys sent four players to the
pro bowl following the 1985 season. Wide receiver Tony Hill went to his first since 1979, tight end Doug Cosbie was named to his third consecutive game, cornerback Everson Walls achieved his fourth, and defensive tackle Randy White was named to his ninth consecutive pro bowl. Randy White was named to the associated press All-NFL first team, while Everson Walls was named to the second team.
*Everson Walls , NFL Leader, Interceptions, (9)References
* The Football Encyclopedia ISBN 0-312-11435-4
* Total Football ISBN 0-06-270170-3
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