The 1998 Season

Record: 10-6
NFC Eastern Division Champion

Synopsis:

The draft presented the first test as Chan Gailey's reign as Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys.   Dallas continued its attempt to get younger and passed over players with history of troubles.   One such pass was WR Randy Moss, an obvious need for the Cowboys, but his history of troubles proved to be much of a risk for the Cowboys (not a good start).   This pass cost the Cowboys on Thanksgiving when the Vikings and Moss came to town and pass-through the Cowboys.   Overall, 7 of the 9 draft choices made the team led by first round pick DE Greg Ellis from North Carolina.

Overall, Chan Gailey's entry as Cowboy's Head Coach was a success.   The Cowboys won the NFC East for a record 15th time and for the 6th time in the last 7 years. Additionally, the Cowboys became the first team in the NFC East to win all games within the division.   The bad point is that the Cowboys lost to a division rival, the Arizona Cardinals, in the NFC Wild-Card Game.

The offense continued to struggle in key situations especially late in the season when the game was on the line.   Like the previous year, the Cowboys season reached the turning point in the game against the best of the NFC- this year the Minnesota Vikings.   The Thanksgiving Shoot-out was the last sparks for the Cowboys offense who limped into playoffs losing 3 of the last 5.   The defense was again solid until Deion Sanders' toe injury essentially ended his season.   Deion's absence placed a burden on players in unfamiliar places and roles and presented a target for opponent's offenses.

Notables:

• Jerry Jones allows Barry Switzer to resign as head coach.
• Chan Gailey named new head coach.
• Emmitt Smith becomes Dallas Cowboys All-Time Leading Rusher.
• Emmitt Smith becomes NFL All-Time Rushing Touchdown Leader
• Michael Irvin ends streak of 117 games with a reception.
• Dallas won all divison games - First time in history of NFC East.

see the 1998 NFL Standings