2003 Dallas Cowboys season

NFL team season

The 2003 Dallas Cowboys season was the 44th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL). For the first time since 1989, Emmitt Smith was not on the opening day roster. Coming off three consecutive 5–11 seasons, Dallas hired former New York Giants, New York Jets, and New England Patriots coach Bill Parcells. In a scheduling coincidence, the Cowboys faced all three said teams in the 2003 regular season. The team was vastly improved and posted a 10–6 record. In the Wild Card round of the playoffs the team lost to the Carolina Panthers 29–10.

Draft class

2003 Dallas Cowboys draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 5 Terence Newman *  CB Kansas State
2 38 Al Johnson  C Wisconsin
3 69 Jason Witten *  TE Tennessee [1]
4 103 Bradie James  LB LSU
6 178 B. J. Tucker  CB Wisconsin
6 186 Zuriel Smith  WR Hampton
7 219 Justin Bates  G Colorado
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Notes

  • The Cowboys traded their 2002 seventh-round (No. 237 overall) and 2003 fifth-round (No. 140 overall) selections to the New England Patriots for a 2002 fifth-round (No. 168 overall) selection.
  • The Cowboys traded their 2002 first-round (No. 6 overall) selection to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for 2002 first (No. 8 overall) and third-round (No. 75 overall) selections, and a 2003 sixth-round (No. 186 overall) selection.[2]

Undrafted free agents

2003 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player Position College
Erik Bickerstaff Running back Wisconsin
Keith O'Neil Linebacker Northern Arizona
Tony Romo Quarterback Eastern Illinois
Torrin Tucker Tackle Southern Miss

Roster

Dallas Cowboys 2003 roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

Practice squad

Rookies in italics
53 active, 5 inactive, 5 practice squad

Regular season

Despite the release of team legend Emmitt Smith, the Cowboys' fortunes began to change with the introduction of Parcells as head coach. Parcells began to reshape the team, particularly on offense, with an overhaul of the coaching staff, including former New York Giants offensive coordinator Sean Payton. Parcells retained much of the defensive staff, including defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, and maintained the team's basic 4–3 defense instead of immediately installing the 3–4 defense which was a trademark of all Parcells's prior teams. This proved a wise decision, as the Cowboys finished the season with the top-ranked overall defense. As in his previous stops, Parcells started to rebuild his team through the draft. In his first year in Dallas, Parcells picked future Pro Bowl players cornerback Terence Newman, tight end Jason Witten and future Cowboys defensive captain linebacker Bradie James. One of the biggest rookie acquisitions came via free agency when the team signed undrafted rookie and future franchise quarterback Tony Romo (although that move got little attention for a few years). Also typical of his prior teams, Parcells brought in veteran players who had played for him at his previous coaching stops, signing fullback Richie Anderson and speedy wide receiver Terry Glenn with whom Parcells had a checkered history.

Though the Cowboys opened the season with a loss, a dramatic come-from-behind victory the next week against the Giants at New York spurred the team's confidence, particularly in third-year quarterback Quincy Carter. This was followed by a reunion with Emmitt Smith (now with the Arizona Cardinals) in Dallas. Smith injured his shoulder early in the game and did not return. After starting with a 7–2 record, the Cowboys went 3–4 in the second half of the season including a loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in Foxboro. The game received a lot of hype due to Bill Parcells's and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's seemingly strained relationship due to the events following their final season coaching together with the New York Jets. Though the Cowboys finished 10–6 and earned a playoff berth, they lost in the first round to the eventual NFC champions, the Carolina Panthers.

The Cowboys ranked first in total defense (253.5 yards per game), third in rushing defense, and second in scoring (16.3 points per game), which helped the team qualify for the playoffs for the first time in four years. In October, the Cowboys snapped a six-game losing streak to the Philadelphia Eagles (at halftime of the Eagles game, Tex Schramm was posthumously inducted into the club's Ring of Honor).

This turned out to be the final season for long-time (and often Pro Bowl) Cowboys safety Darren Woodson. Woodson represented the last player link to the Jimmy Johnson Cowboys (and to all three Super Bowl teams of the 1990s). Woodson was on the roster the following season (2004) but never saw action due to injury.

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 7 Atlanta Falcons L 13–27 0–1 Texas Stadium 64,104
2 September 15 at New York Giants W 35–32 (OT) 1–1 Giants Stadium 78,907
3 Bye
4 September 28 at New York Jets W 17–6 2–1 Giants Stadium 77,863
5 October 5 Arizona Cardinals W 24–7 3–1 Texas Stadium 63,601
6 October 12 Philadelphia Eagles W 23–21 4–1 Texas Stadium 63,648
7 October 19 at Detroit Lions W 38–7 5–1 Ford Field 61,160
8 October 26 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 0–16 5–2 Raymond James Stadium 65,602
9 November 2 Washington Redskins W 21–14 6–2 Texas Stadium 64,002
10 November 9 Buffalo Bills W 10–6 7–2 Texas Stadium 63,770
11 November 16 at New England Patriots L 0–12 7–3 Gillette Stadium 68,436
12 November 23 Carolina Panthers W 24–20 8–3 Texas Stadium 63,871
13 November 27 Miami Dolphins L 21–40 8–4 Texas Stadium 64,110
14 December 7 at Philadelphia Eagles L 10–36 8–5 Lincoln Financial Field 69,773
15 December 14 at Washington Redskins W 27–0 9–5 FedExField 70,284
16 December 21 New York Giants W 19–3 10–5 Texas Stadium 64,118
17 December 28 at New Orleans Saints L 7–13 10–6 Louisiana Superdome 68,451

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1 vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 1: Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 0 141027
Cowboys 7 0 0613

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Jay Feely 37-yard field goal, 8:40. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 6:20.
  • DAL – Aveion Cason 63-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 4:25. Cowboys 7–3. Drive: 3 plays, 71 yards, 1:21.

Second quarter

  • No scoring plays

Third quarter

  • ATL – Warrick Dunn 7-yard pass from Doug Johnson (Jay Feely kick), 11:23. Falcons 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 2:04.
  • ATL – Alge Crumpler 41-yard pass from Doug Johnson (Jay Feely kick), 4:02. Falcons 17–7. Drive: 1 play, 41 yards, 0:10.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Jay Feely 31-yard field goal, 12:44. Falcons 20–7. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 4:38.
  • DAL – Joey Galloway 49-yard pass from Quincy Carter (kick blocked), 11:37. Falcons 20–13. Drive: 3 plays, 78 yards, 1:07.
  • ATL – Doug Johnson 1-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 3:11. Falcons 27–13. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 8:26.
Top passers
  • ATL – Doug Johnson – 16/27, 228 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • DAL – Quincy Carter – 15/32, 268 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers

The Parcells era of the Cowboys began inauspiciously in a 27–13 loss to the Falcons at Texas Stadium. With Michael Vick out with injury Doug Johnson started for the Falcons and had two passing touchdowns and a rushing score. Quincy Carter had a touchdown to Joey Galloway and an interception.

Week 2 at New York Giants

Week 2: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Cowboys 7 13 66335
Giants 7 0 718032

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter

  • NYG – Ralph Brown 29-yard interception return (Matt Bryant kick), 7:21. Giants 7–0
  • DAL – Quincy Carter 8-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 3:06. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 4:15.

Second quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 37-yard field goal, 14:12. Cowboys 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 2:17.
  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 49-yard field goal, 7:41. Cowboys 13–7. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 3:26.
  • DAL – Alshermond Singleton 41-yard interception return (Billy Cundiff kick), 3:05. Cowboys 20–7

Third quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 42-yard field goal, 11:00. Cowboys 23–7. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 4:00.
  • NYG – Ike Hilliard 5-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Matt Bryant kick), 8:11. Giants 23–14. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 2:49.
  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 21-yard field goal, 4:53. Cowboys 26–14. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 3:18.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 36-yard field goal, 12:43. Cowboys 29–14. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 5:54.
  • NYG – Jeremy Shockey 1-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Matt Bryant kick), 9:54. Cowboys 29–21. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 2:49.
  • NYG – Amani Toomer 20-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Tiki Barber run), 6:20. Tied 29–29. Drive: 3 plays, 64 yards, 1:12.
  • NYG – Matt Bryant 30-yard field goal, 0:11. Giants 32–29. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 2:48.
  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 52-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 32–32. Drive: 2 plays, 26 yards, 0:11.

Overtime

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 25-yard field goal, 5:56. Cowboys 35–32. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 4:13.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

On Monday Night Football Parcells returned to Giants Stadium for the first time since his final year as NY Jets coach and the ensuing game against the NY Giants became a memorable struggle. The Cowboys raced to a 23–7 lead as kicker Billy Cundiff proceeded through a huge day, but the Giants behind Kerry Collins erupted, outscoring the Cowboys 25–12 in the second half; the go-ahead Giants score (a 30-yard Matt Bryant field goal) came with eleven seconds left. A penalty on the ensuing kickoff gave Dallas the ball at its own 40 and a 26-yard catch by Antonio Bryant set up Cundiff's sixth field goal of the game, a 52-yarder with no time left. In overtime both teams traded punts before Quincy Carter led the Cowboys to the Giants 6-yard line and Cundiff connected on a seventh field goal and 35–32 win; in that process Cundiff tied Chris Boniol's record from Dallas' 1996 win over the Packers.

Week 4 at New York Jets

Week 4: Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 14 0317
Jets 3 0 306

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter

  • NYJ – Doug Brien 34-yard field goal, 8:57. Jets 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 39 yards, 6:03.

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • NYJ – Doug Brien 38-yard field goal, 0:44. Cowboys 14–6. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:51.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 26-yard field goal, 4:56. Cowboys 17–6. Drive: 11 plays, 87 yards, 6:10.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Following their bye week the Cowboys returned to the Meadowlands, this time to face Bill Parcell’s third former team the Jets. The Cowboys rushed for 202 yards and Troy Hambrick and Antonio Bryant touchdowns in the second quarter were enough as the Cowboys won 17–6.

Week 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 5: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 0 007
Cowboys 7 10 7024

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy Skies, 70 °F (21.1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 63,601
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Curt Menefee and Tim Green
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • DAL – Richie Anderson 18-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 13:48. Cowboys 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 3:04.
  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 33-yard field goal, 2:12. Cowboys 17–7. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 5:48.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 36-yard field goal, 10:29. Cowboys 20–7. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 4:31.
  • DAL – Jeff Blake sacked in the end zone by La'Roi Glover for a safety, 6:46. Cowboys 22–7
  • DAL – Jeff Blake sacked in the end zone by Kenyon Coleman for a safety, 3:34. Cowboys 24–7

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • ARZ – Freddie Jones – 4 receptions, 39 yards
  • DAL – Terry Glenn – 4 receptions, 104 yards, TD

The Cowboys hosted former NFC East foe Arizona; they limited the Cardinals to 151 total yards and sacked Jeff Blake twice in the endzone for a safety, ultimately winning 24–7. Quincy Carter had 277 yards and two touchdowns. Former Cowboy Emmitt Smith was knocked out of the game after failing to record a single yard (he had a net loss of one yard) on six carries and later admitted “i cried for forty five minutes before the game.”

Week 6 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 6: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 7 7721
Cowboys 7 3 7623

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy Skies, 70 °F (21.1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 63,648
  • Referee: Ron Blum
  • TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • PHI – Brian Westbrook 5-yard run (David Akers kick), 10:20. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 4:30.
  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 51-yard field goal, 0:12. Cowboys 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 1:05.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Troy Hambrick 1-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 4:00. Cowboys 17–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:08.
  • PHI – Duce Staley 52-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick), 2:56. Cowboys 17–14. Drive: 2 plays, 60 yards, 1:04.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 22-yard field goal, 14:12. Cowboys 20–14. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:44.
  • PHI – Correll Buckhalter 20-yard run (David Akers kick), 4:14. Eagles 21–20. Drive: 14 plays, 61 yards, 6:45.
  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 28-yard field goal, 1:11. Cowboys 23–21. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:03.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

The Eagles opened with an onside kick and Randal Williams ran it back for a Dallas touchdown, and became the quickest player to score a touchdown in NFL history, in only 3 seconds. From there the Cowboys raced to a 17–7 lead in the third quarter. But by late in the fourth quarter Duce Staley's 52-yard catch from Donovan McNabb and a Correll Buckhalter score put the Eagles up 21–20. Quincy Carter then completed a 19-yard pass to Joey Galloway; two Troy Hambrick runs set up the go-ahead Cowboys field goal with 1:14 to go; the Cowboys then sacked McNabb and he fumbled to Dallas, ending the game as a 23–21 Dallas win.

Week 7 at Detroit Lions

Week 7: Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 21 7338
Lions 7 0 007

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,160
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Bill Maas and Chris Myers
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • DAL – Terry Glenn 19-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 11:31. Cowboys 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 3:18.
  • DAL – Terry Glenn 8-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 10:21. Cowboys 21–7. Drive: 1 play, 8 yards, 0:06.
  • DAL – Mario Edwards 27-yard interception return (Billy Cundiff kick), 4:20. Cowboys 28–7.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Troy Hambrick 3-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 7:33. Cowboys 35–7. Drive: 14 plays, 81 yards, 7:27.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 23-yard field goal, 14:57. Cowboys 38–7. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 6:35.
Top passers
  • DAL – Quincy Carter – 18/25, 190 yards, 3 TD
  • DET – Mike McMahon – 5/20, 51 yards, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers

The Cowboys embarrassed the Lions by scoring the game's final 38 points, with a monster day for Quincy Carter and Terry Glenn, who both hooked up for three touchdowns; Mario Edwards then intercepted Joey Harrington and scored. In the end the Cowboys were 38–7 winners with a 5–1 record; it was also the club's second career win in five tries against Steve Mariucci.

Week 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 8: Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 0 000
Buccaneers 0 10 6016

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: October 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 82 °F (27.8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,602
  • Referee: Bill Carollo
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

  • TB – Martin Gramatica 24-yard field goal, 10:53. Buccaneers 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 3:18.
  • TB – Keyshawn Johnson 7-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Martin Gramatica kick), 4:13. Buccaneers 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 4:30.

Third quarter

  • TB – Martin Gramatica 26-yard field goal, 9:24. Buccaneers 13–0. Drive: 6 plays, 13 yards, 2:14.
  • TB – Martin Gramatica 50-yard field goal, 2:03. Buccaneers 16–0. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 4:43.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays
Top passers
  • DAL – Quincy Carter – 15/25, 140 yards, 2 INT
  • TB – Brad Johnson – 13/26, 151 yards, TD
Top rushers
Top receivers

The embattled Bucs shut out the Cowboys 16–0 as Keyshawn Johnson caught a touchdown pass while Quincy Carter was intercepted twice.

Week 9 vs. Washington Redskins

Week 9: Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Redskins 6 0 0814
Cowboys 0 7 7721

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: November 2
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy Skies, 79 °F (26.1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,002
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • DAL – Troy Hambrick 1-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 6:45. Cowboys 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 48 yards, 5:03.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Terry Glenn 19-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 11:21. Cowboys 21–7. Drive: 14 plays, 91 yards, 7:18.
  • WSH – Taylor Jacobs 19-yard pass from Patrick Ramsey (Patrick Ramsey–Darnerien McCants), 2:30. Cowboys 21–14. Drive: 8 plays, 81 yards, 2:56.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • WSH – Patrick Johnson – 3 receptions, 55 yards
  • DAL – Terry Glenn – 6 receptions, 73 yards, TD

Week 10 vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 10: Buffalo Bills at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 6 006
Cowboys 7 0 3010

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • BUF – Rian Lindell 41-yard field goal, 10:47. Cowboys 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 4:32.
  • BUF – Rian Lindell 29-yard field goal, 0:29. Cowboys 7–6. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 1:28.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 51-yard field goal, 13:05. Cowboys 10–6. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 1:55.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Bill Parcells faced his once and future quarterback Drew Bledsoe as the 4–4 Bills came to Dallas. Bledsoe managed just two drives ending in field goals while the Cowboys were only slightly better, managing a two-yard Quincy Carter touchdown for the 10–6 Cowboys win.

Week 11 at New England Patriots

Week 11: Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 0 000
Patriots 3 6 0312

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

First quarter

  • NE – Adam Vinatieri 23-yard field goal, 3:05. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 3:38.

Second quarter

  • NE – Antowain Smith 2-yard run (kick blocked), 2:34. Patriots 9–0. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:22.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Adam Vinatieri 26-yard field goal, 1:56. Patriots 12–0. Drive: 9 plays, 36 yards, 5:28.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • DAL – Richie Anderson – 8 receptions, 85 yards
  • NE – Deion Branch – 2 receptions, 69 yards

Parcells traveled to Foxboro for the first time since the 1999 season and faced his former assistant Bill Belichick on Sunday night. The Patriots had won five straight and made it six as they sacked Quincy Carter once and intercepted three passes. Former Patriot Terry Glenn was held to one catch as the Patriots ground out a 12–0 win.

Week 12 vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 12: Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 7 7320
Cowboys 10 0 14024

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy Skies, 44 °F (6.7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 63,871
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 24-yard field goal, 12:34. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:21.
  • CAR – John Kasay 44-yard field goal, 4:47. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 3:22.
  • DAL – Joey Galloway 24-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 1:50. Cowboys 10–3. Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 2:57.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Stephen Davis 1-yard run (John Kasay kick), 2:09. Tied 10–10. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:22.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Jeff Robinson 5-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 9:26. Cowboys 17–10. Drive: 2 plays, 11 yards, 0:43.
  • CAR – Brad Hoover 1-yard pass from Jake Delhomme (John Kasay kick), 7:27. Tied 17–17. Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:59.
  • DAL – Aveion Cason 16-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 4:15. Cowboys 24–17. Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 3:12.

Fourth quarter

  • CAR – John Kasay 34-yard field goal, 3:47. Cowboys 24–20. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:16.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • CAR – Stephen Davis – 26 rushes, 59 yards, TD
  • DAL – Aveion Cason – 6 rushes, 26 yards, TD
Top receivers

The Cowboys hosted the surging Panthers and the game lead tied or changed six times. Joey Galloway caught a touchdown, one of two from Quincy Carter, while Aveion Cason's touchdown put Dallas up 24–17. John Kasay's field goal at 3:51 to go made it 24–20 late in the fourth, but the Cowboys killed the remaining clock on four Carter completions for 21 yards and a four-yard run aided by a Deon Grant personal foul penalty.

Thanksgiving Day vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 13: Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 16 14340
Cowboys 0 14 0721

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy Skies, 60 °F (15.6 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,110
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIA – Olindo Mare 33-yard field goal, 14:24. Dolphins 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 5:26.
  • DAL – Richie Anderson 4-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 10:19. Dolphins 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:05.
  • MIA – Chris Chambers 39-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 8:04. Dolphins 17–7. Drive: 4 plays, 72 yards, 2:15.
  • DAL – Richie Anderson 27-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 2:44. Dolphins 17–14. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:20.
  • MIA – Chris Chambers 6-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (kick blocked), 0:10. Dolphins 23–14. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 2:34.

Third quarter

  • MIA – Jason Taylor 34-yard fumble return (Olindo Mare kick), 13:17. Dolphins 30–14.
  • MIA – Chris Chambers 35-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 7:42. Dolphins 37–14. Drive: 2 plays, 40 yards, 0:48.

Fourth quarter

  • MIA – Olindo Mare 42-yard field goal, 13:57. Dolphins 40–14. Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards, 2:51.
  • DAL – Antonio Bryant 18-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 12:22. Dolphins 40–21. Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 1:35.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • MIA – Ricky Williams – 31 rushes, 104 yards
  • DAL – Quincy Carter – 4 rushes, 42 yards
Top receivers

The 8–3 Cowboys hosted the 7–4 Dolphins for the first time since 1999. The two teams had clashed in memorable contests in 1993 and 1996 and both were in the thick of their playoff races. The second quarter became a frantic affair following a first quarter score by Jay Fiedler. The Dolphins erupted to outscore Dallas 23–14 in the second, and from there the game merely awaited its obsequies on two more Miami touchdowns (one a strip-sack of Quincy Carter run back by Jason Taylor) and a Carter score to Antonio Bryant. The Dolphins finished up 40–21 winners, and both teams faced key division matchups at 8–4.

Week 14 at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 14: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 3 7 0010
Eagles 0 10 91736

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 30 °F (−1.1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,773
  • Referee: Gerry Austin
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 29-yard field goal, 3:43. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:58.

Second quarter

  • PHI – David Akers 22-yard field goal, 14:56. Tied 3–3. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 3:47.
  • PHI – Brian Westbrook 16-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick), 3:15. Eagles 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 4:01.
  • DAL – Jeff Robinson 3-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 0:26. Tied 10–10. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 2:49.

Third quarter

  • PHI – Duce Staley 5-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick), 12:25. Eagles 17–10. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 1:03.
  • PHI – Matt Lehr fumble out of bounds in end zone for safety, 2:25. Eagles 19–10

Fourth quarter

  • PHI – L. J. Smith 6-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick), 12:52. Eagles 26–10. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 4:33.
  • PHI – David Akers 21-yard field goal, 6:06. Eagles 29–10. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:57.
  • PHI – Correll Buckhalter 64-yard run (David Akers kick), 1:47. Eagles 36–10. Drive: 2 plays, 72 yards, 0:19.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

The Eagles all but locked up the NFC East by crushing the Cowboys 36–10. They intercepted Quincy Carter twice and forced a fumble through the endzone for a safety. Donovan McNabb had three touchdown throws despite a failed fourth-down attempt in the fourth quarter, and Correll Buckhalter (144 combined yards from scrimmage) finished the game on a 64-yard touchdown run.

Week 15 at Washington Redskins

Week 15: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 7 31027
Redskins 0 0 000

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/3:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Rain, 36 °F (2.2 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,284
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • DAL – Richie Anderson 21-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 9:26. Cowboys 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 5:34.

Second quarter

  • DAL – Quincy Carter 3-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 1:52. Cowboys 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 9 yards, 0:14.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 34-yard field goal, 4:34. Cowboys 17–0. Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 1:46.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 20-yard field goal, 9:16. Cowboys 20–0. Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 5:49.
  • DAL – Erik Bickerstaff 2-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 4:05. Cowboys 27–0. Drive: 3 plays, 53 yards, 1:37.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • DAL – Richie Anderson – 5 receptions, 51 yards, TD
  • WSH – Rod Gardner – 3 receptions, 24 yards

On a dismal day for quarterbacking (Quincy Carter, Brian Barker, and Tim Hasselbeck combined for just 16 of 50 passes for 164 yards and a Carter touchdown for an average passer rating of just 75) Troy Hambrick exploded to 189 rushing yards as Dallas shut out the Skins 27–0.[3]

Week 16 vs. New York Giants

Week 16: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 3 0 003
Cowboys 10 3 3319

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy Skies, 57 °F (13.9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,118
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 24-yard field goal, 12:52. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:08.
  • NYG – Matt Bryant 45-yard field goal, 9:03. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 3:49.
  • DAL – Jason Witten 36-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 2:22. Cowboys 10–3. Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 3:06.

Second quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 42-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 14 yards, 0:26.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 21-yard field goal, 10:03. Cowboys 16–3. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 3:17.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 49-yard field goal, 11:23. Cowboys 19–3. Drive: 13 plays, 52 yards, 6:44.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Carter got back in groove with 240 yards and a touchdown as four Billy Cundiff field goals (for an aggregate of eleven vs. the Giants in the season) aided a 19–3 Dallas win over the Giants. Dallas now stood in a three-way race for the NFC Wild Cards with the Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. However, because Dallas owned a tiebreaker with Green Bay by virtue of conference record in the event that the Cowboys lost and both the Packers and Vikings won (who were both vying for the NFC North in which the Vikings were leading at the time via a divisional tiebreaker), Dallas had clinched at playoff berth regardless of whether or not the Seahawks were involved in a tie with the Cowboys and Packers. In addition, the Cowboys still had an outside chance at winning the NFC East and a first-round bye with a win and an Eagles' loss the following week.

Week 17 at New Orleans Saints

Week 17: Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 7 007
Saints 3 7 3013

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 28
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 68,451
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • NO – John Carney 24-yard field goal, 7:01. Saints 3–0. Drive: 16 plays, 59 yards, 7:59.

Second quarter

  • DAL – Richie Anderson 3-yard pass from Quincy Carter (Billy Cundiff kick), 8:50. Cowboys 7–3. Drive: 16 plays, 93 yards, 8:32.
  • NO – Donte Stallworth 76-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 8:23. Saints 10–7. Drive: 1 play, 81 yards, 0:27.

Third quarter

  • NO – John Carney 27-yard field goal, 11:57. Saints 13–7. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 2:43.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays
Top passers
  • DAL – Quincy Carter – 27/47, 290 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • NO – Aaron Brooks – 15/32, 243 yards, TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • DAL – Richie Anderson – 10 receptions, 83 yards, TD
  • NO – Donte Stallworth – 3 receptions, 114 yards, TD

Entering their last game of the regular season, the Cowboys were aware that the Eagles had defeated the Redskins the previous day, rendering the final week of the regular season meaningful in deciding whether Dallas would finish as the #5 or #6 seed prior to a road wild-card playoff game. A win would lock Dallas into the #5 seed. The Saints were still smarting from a shocking series of laterals ending in a touchdown and missed PAT against Jacksonville the week before. They responded by intercepting Quincy Carter three times and shutting out the Cowboys the remaining two quarters for the 13–7 Saints win. The Seahawks' win the previous day and various results in the final week of the regular season dropped the Cowboys to the sixth seed in the NFC as Seattle held the strength of victory tiebreaker.

Standings

NFC East
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Philadelphia Eagles 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 374 287 W1
(6) Dallas Cowboys 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 289 260 L1
Washington Redskins 5 11 0 .313 1–5 3–9 287 372 L3
New York Giants 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 243 387 L8

Postseason

Wild Card Playoff at Carolina Panthers

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (6) Dallas Cowboys at (3) Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 3 0710
Panthers 6 10 7629

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

First quarter

  • CAR – John Kasay 18-yard field goal, 8:40. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:47.
  • CAR – John Kasay 38-yard field goal, 1:02. Panthers 6–0. Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 1:57.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Stephen Davis 23-yard run (John Kasay kick), 6:10. Panthers 13–0. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 3:49.
  • DAL – Billy Cundiff 37-yard field goal, 1:12. Panthers 13–3. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 4:58.
  • CAR – John Kasay 19-yard field goal, 0:01. Panthers 16–3. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 1:11.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Steve Smith 32-yard pass from Jake Delhomme (John Kasay kick), 9:44. Panthers 23–3. Drive: 4 plays, 63 yards, 1:28.

Fourth quarter

  • CAR – John Kasay 32-yard field goal, 12:45. Panthers 26–3. Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 5:43.
  • DAL – Quincy Carter 9-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 7:36. Panthers 26–10. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 5:09.
  • CAR – John Kasay 34-yard field goal, 3:12. Panthers 29–10. Drive: 4 plays, -5 yards, 1:47.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • DAL – Quincy Carter – 4 rushes, 25 yards, TD
  • CAR – Stephen Davis – 26 ruses, 104 yards, TD
Top receivers

For the first time since 1996 the Cowboys faced the Carolina Panthers in the postseason. It was also the first playoff game for Parcells since the 1998 AFC Championship Game. The result, though, was an ugly 29–10 curtain on the season as the Panthers forced a fumble, picked off Quincy Carter once, sacked him three times, and limited the Cowboys to 204 yards of offense. Carter accounted for roughly a third of Dallas' rushing production with 25 yards on the ground (one of them on a rushing touchdown, the only touchdown for Dallas in the game), but finished with a passer rating of 56.9, compared to the 104.5 put up by Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme.[4]

Publications

  • The Football Encyclopedia ISBN 0-312-11435-4
  • Total Football ISBN 0-06-270170-3
  • Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes ISBN 0-446-51950-2

References

  1. ^ "Jason Witten close to breaking Michael Irvin's Cowboys record". FOXSports.com. December 30, 2016.
  2. ^ "2003 NFL Draft Pick Transactions". ProSportsTransactions.com.
  3. ^ Cowboys at Redskins Week 15 from Pro Football Reference
  4. ^ "Wild Card - Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers - January 3rd, 2004". Pro-Football-Reference.com.

External links

  • 2003 Dallas Cowboys
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Dallas Cowboys Official Site
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