The 1971 Season

Record: 11-3
NFC Eastern Division Champion
NFC Champion
Super Bowl VI Champion

Synopsis:

The 1971 season brought change again to the Cowboys. Off-season trouble by Duane Thomas and his hold-out in training camp prompted Dallas to trade him to New England. Thomas, however, was back at Dallas when he was thrown out of training camp at New England voiding the trade. The other change was the rare failure in the draft. Future Hall-of-Famer Lance Alworth was acquired to replace Lance Rentzel. On top of everything, the Dallas Cowboys would begin playing in a newly built stadium midway through the season.

The 1971 season began with Tom Landry alternating quarterbacks Craig Morton and Roger Staubach. First it was between games and then between plays. This ended when Dallas lost to Chicago and had a 4-3 record. Staubach was named the starting quarterback and the rest is history. The Cowboys won their last seven games and finished with an 11-3 record and the NFC Eastern Division Championship, their fifth division championship in a row. Staubach led the league in passing as the offense led the league with 406 points. The defense also played well allowing only 222 points.

The Cowboys beat Minnesota 20-12 in the first round forcing a rematch against the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC Championship. Dallas once again defeated the 49ers for their second consecutive trip to the Super Bowl. Super Bowl VI was to be played against the Miami Dolphins. This was the year Dallas finally won it all. Dallas dominated the game and won 24-3. The final monkey was gone and Dallas was World Champions.

Notables:

• First game in Texas Stadium on October 24
• Roger Staubach wins NFC Passing Champion
• First Super Bowl Championship

see 1971 NFL Standings