2006 Dallas Cowboys season The 2006 Dallas Cowboys season began with the team trying to improve on their 9 – 7 record in 2005 . The base offense was changed to a 2 - TE formation . Several high profile free agents were signed including controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens and kicker Mike Vanderjagt . Veteran defensive end Greg Ellis was also converted into a linebacker . Although veteran Drew Bledsoe was the initial starter at quarterback , fourth - year backup Tony Romo replaced Bledsoe at half - time of their week 6 matchup with the N . Y . Giants . Romo became the starter in week 7 due to Bledsoe ' s rough starts with frequent sacks and interceptions . Romo initially played very well , going 5 – 1 in his first six NFL starts , including a win over the previously unbeaten Indianapolis Colts , but finished the season 1 – 3 with six TDs , six interceptions and two fumbles lost . The Cowboys secured a playoff berth for the first time since 2003 , but did not win the division when in the final week they were defeated by the then 2 – 13 Lions , and wound up losing their first week in the playoffs to the Seattle Seahawks , a game in which Romo botched the hold on a go - ahead field goal inside the final two minutes . Offseason . During the 2006 offseason , the team signed several high - profile players , including kicker Mike Vanderjagt , linebacker Akin Ayodele , offensive linemen Jason Fabini and Kyle Kosier , safety Marcus Coleman , and highly controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens , who has developed a reputation for causing conflicts with teammates , coaches , opposing players , and fans . The signing of Terrell Owens received a lot of media attention , and was arguably the biggest news story during the NFL offseason . Vanderjagt had the highest field goal percentage in NFL history coming into the season and his signing was expected to solve the inconsistency problems in the Cowboys kicking game . However , Vanderjagt missed most of the pre - season with an injury and missed three very short kicks ( including an extra point ) in the final pre - season game ( which ended in a tie ) . The Cowboys also lost veteran leadership in the locker room after losing tight end Dan Campbell to the Detroit Lions , wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson to the Carolina Panthers , left guard Larry Allen to the San Francisco 49ers , defensive tackle La ' Roi Glover to the St . Louis Rams , and linebacker Dat Nguyen to a career ending injury . Before the season , there was high expectations for the Dallas Cowboys . Sports Illustrated writer Peter King went as far to predict the Dallas Cowboys would win Super Bowl XLI . Regular season . Week 1 : at Jacksonville Jaguars . The Cowboys opened the regular season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 10 . The Cowboys built a lead of 10 – 0 just 10 minutes into the game , but allowed 24 consecutive points in later quarters . Quarterback Drew Bledsoe threw two interceptions , and placekicker Shaun Suisham missed a field goal off the right upright . The Cowboys scored again during the final minutes of the fourth quarter , when newly - signed wide receiver Terrell Owens caught his first touchdown in a Dallas uniform , which was also his first regular - season game since October 2005 . Dallas attempted and failed an onside kick , but received the ball again when their defense prevented the Jaguars from getting a first down . The Cowboys drive to tie the game ended with a Bledsoe interception . With the loss , the Cowboys started out their season at 0 – 1 . Stats Week 2 : vs . Washington Redskins . Mike Vanderjagt kicked two field goal s , one of which was 50 yards long . Drew Bledsoe threw for a touchdown in the first and the fourth quarters for the first time since 2005 . The Cowboys defense allowed no touchdowns , with the only touchdown for the Redskins coming from a kickoff return by Rock Cartwright ) . It was also the first time that the Cowboys had allowed zero second - half points since November 20 , 2005 against the Detroit Lions . Stats In the game , Terrell Owens broke his finger . Week 4 : at Tennessee Titans . After their Bye Week , the Cowboys traveled to LP Field to face the Tennessee Titans . Rookie Quarterback Vince Young made his first NFL start for the Titans . Quarterback Drew Bledsoe threw two touchdowns in the first half to Terry Glenn . Each of the three Cowboys running backs , Julius Jones , Marion Barber , and Tyson Thompson , rushed for a touchdown in the second half . Bradie James returned an interception 15 yards for his first career touchdown . Tony Romo played during the final two drives after Dallas took a 38 – 14 lead . Kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a 26 yard field goal wide right late in the first half , but later kicked a 43 yard field goal in the fourth quarter . Despite breaking a finger two weeks earlier , wide receiver Terrell Owens started and caught five passes for 88 yards . Also , rookie Pat Watkins returned a lost Titans fumble 53 yards during the fourth quarter . Stats During the game , Tennessee Titans linebacker Albert Haynesworth stomped on Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode . Haynesworth was suspended for five games without pay . . Later during the week , Terrell Owens accidentally overdosed on painkillers causing a media circus , but recovered within a day . Week 5 : at Philadelphia Eagles . The game received significant attention due to Terrell Owens ' return to Philadelphia , where he had played for 2 years with considerable controversy . Owens had 3 receptions for 45 yards . The Eagles capitalized on early Dallas turnovers , and the Cowboys fell behind 10 – 0 . The Cowboys rallied to score a touchdown . At halftime , the Cowboys were up 21 – 17 . However , in the second half the Cowboys offense was dominated by the Eagles defense and were held to only 3 points . In the fourth quarter , the defining play took place as the Cowboys , assisted by a pass interference penalty , managed to reach the Eagles six yard line with less than a minute left . On second and goal , Drew Bledsoe threw an interception in the end zone that was returned 102 yards by Lito Sheppard for a touchdown , essentially ending any chance of a Dallas victory . Stats Week 6 : vs . Houston Texans . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Eagles , the Cowboys returned home for a Week 6 battle against their in - state rival , the Houston Texans . In the first quarter , Dallas trailed early when Kris Brown kicked a 19 - yard field goal for an early Houston 3 – 0 lead . In the second quarter , the Cowboys tied the game at 3 – 3 when Mike Vanderjagt kicked a 22 - yard field goal . At the end of the first half , Houston regained the lead when Brown kicked a 48 - yard field goal . For the rest of the game , the Dallas defense shut out the Houston Texans . Drew Bledsoe and Terrell Owens hooked up on two touchdown passes , and Marion Barber ran a 1 - yard touchdown , Vanderjagt kicked another 21 - yard field goal , and backup quarterback Tony Romo threw another touchdown pass to Owens . Tony Romo completed his first two NFL passes , including one touchdown . Stats Week 7 : vs . New York Giants . Hoping to build on their win over the Houston Texans , the Cowboys stayed at home for a Monday Night match - up with their NFC East rival , the New York Giants . On the Giants opening drive , Eli Manning threw a 50 - yard touchdown to Plaxico Burress . Later in the first quarter after Jeff Feagles punted inside the one yard line , LaVar Arrington sacked Drew Bledsoe in the endzone for a safety . In the second quarter , Giants kicker Jay Feely kicked a 31 - yard field goal . Dallas would score before halftime as Bledsoe ran 1 yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak . Bledsoe also threw a costly interception just before halftime that would have given the Cowboys a 14 – 12 lead at the break . Due to Bledsoe ' s abysmal performance , head coach Bill Parcells replaced him with backup quarterback Tony Romo at the start of the second half . Not much had changed for the Giants in the third quarter as Manning threw a 13 - yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey and Brandon Jacobs got a 3 - yard touchdown run . In the fourth quarter , the Romo completed an 8 - yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens , and Romo ran into the endzone for a two - point conversion . The Giants pulled away as Feely kicked a 32 - yard field goal , while rookie cornerback Kevin Dockery would return an interception 96 yards for a touchdown . Even though Romo threw a 53 - yard touchdown to Patrick Crayton , the damage had already been done . Stats Week 8 : at Carolina Panthers . Six days after losing at home , Tony Romo made his first NFL regular season start against the Carolina Panthers , and he threw for 270 yards , a touchdown , and an interception . In the first quarter , the Panthers scored 14 points when DeShaun Foster , and later Steve Smith ran a touchdown , but those were the last points that Dallas allowed in the game . In the second quarter , Jason Witten caught a touchdown pass and Mike Vanderjagt kicked a field goal . In the fourth quarter , Dallas scored a franchise record 25 points on a Julius Jones run , two Marion Barber runs , another Mike Vanderjagt field goal , two extra points and a two point conversion caught by Terrell Owens . Terrell Owens had his first 100 + yard game with 107 receiving yards . Julius Jones ran 92 yards for 616 yards in 7 games to start the season . Steve Smith was held to only 55 receiving yards and former Cowboys receiver Keyshawn Johnson only had one catch for 19 yards . The game marked unusual emotion from Bill Parcells , who was moved by the appearance of his former Giants players ( such as Jim Burt ) and who embraced many of his players late in the game . Stats Week 9 : at Washington Redskins . With the emergence of QB Tony Romo in their road victory over the Panthers , the Cowboys flew to FedEx Field for a rematch with the Washington Redskins . In the first quarter , Dallas trailed early as Redskins MLB Lemar Marshall tackled RB Julius Jones in the endzone for a safety and kicker Nick Novak kicked a 28 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , the Cowboys started to fight back , as Romo completed a 10 - yard TD pass to WR Terry Glenn ( with a failed two - point conversion ) and kicker Mike Vanderjagt kicked a 33 - yard field goal . The ' Skins would retaliate as RB Clinton Portis ran 38 yards for a touchdown , yet Vanderjagt would allow Dallas to tie at halftime on a 30 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Cowboys increased their lead with Romo completing a 4 - yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens , who would do a " sleeping celebration . " afterwards . He would get flagged for excessive celebration . The " sleeping celebration " referenced Owens ' admission earlier in the week that he has trouble staying awake during team meetings . In the fourth quarter , Washington fought back with QB Mark Brunell completing an 18 - yard TD pass to TE Chris Cooley . Afterwards , the Redskins would block a 35 - yard field goal try by Vanderjagt , which would get picked up by Sean Taylor and returned it 30 yards before getting tackled . Even though time ran out , the Redskins would get one chance to win , due to a face mask infraction penalty on Guard Kyle Kosier . Washington took advantage , as Novak kicked the game - winning 47 - yard field goal to drop Dallas to 4 – 4 . Stats Week 10 : at Arizona Cardinals . The Cowboys bounced back from a painful loss by beating the Cardinals , who came into the game with the league ' s worst record at 1 – 7 . Tony Romo passed for 308 yards in his best game to date as a starter . Greg Ellis was also lost for the year in this game due to a torn achilles , costing the Cowboys a key contributor and one of only 2 players who could consistently rush the passer . Stats Week 11 : vs . Indianapolis Colts . In what Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones said was the best win in at least eight to ten years , the Cowboys beat the previously undefeated Colts 21 – 14 . The game was nationally televised on CBS , having been moved from 1 : 00pm to 4 : 15pm ( EST ) because of the NFL ' s new " flex scheduling " policy . It was the first game played between the two teams at Texas Stadium in ten years . With the rest of the NFC East losing that weekend , the Cowboys were tied with the New York Giants for first place in the NFC East , and in a tie for second place in the NFC . The Cowboys chances of winning the division , and possibly a first - round bye in the playoffs were suddenly much brighter , especially with the rival Philadelphia Eagles losing Donovan McNabb for the season . Stats Week 12 : vs . Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The Cowboys slugged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38 – 10 in the annual Thanksgiving Day game . Tony Romo had his best game so far throwing for 306 yards and a near - perfect 148 . 9 passer rating , and he tied a team record with five touchdown passes in one game . No Cowboys quarterback had done that since Troy Aikman in the 1999 season opener ( including overtime ) , and since Danny White in 1983 in regulation . Romo ' s five touchdown passes were the most ever for a Thanksgiving Day game . Stats On 27 November 2006 , the Cowboys cut kicker Mike Vanderjagt and signed veteran Martin Gramatica in his place . Vanderjagt had made only 13 of 18 field goals in the season , well below his career average . Week 13 : at New York Giants . The Cowboys extended their winning streak to four straight wins in a close game when newly signed place kicker Martin Gramatica kicked a 46 yard field goal with one second remaining . The Giants lost their fourth straight game and the Cowboys secured a two - game lead over the Giants . Stats This game was moved from the originally scheduled time at 1 : 00pm to 4 : 15pm ( EST ) because of the NFL ' s new " flex scheduling " policy . Week 14 : vs . New Orleans Saints . On November 27 , the NFL announced that the game was moved to 8 : 15 p . m . EST ( 7 : 15 p . m . CST ) to be nationally televised on NBC Sunday Night Football . New Orleans Head Coach and former Dallas Offensive Coordinator , as well as Passing Coordinator , Sean Payton thoroughly dissected the Cowboys defense by showcasing the talents of Drew Brees , Reggie Bush , and Deuce McAllister . Perhaps more surprising was the performance of Mike Karney . Previously an unknown fullback who had never had a touchdown in his 43 NFL games , Karney scored a hat trick ( three touchdowns ) . Brees topped 4 , 000 season passing yards for the first time in his career , having 26 completions for 38 attempts and 384 yards and five touchdowns . Deuce McCallister and Reggie Bush both proved their worth with 135 and 162 all - purpose yards , respectively . Payton was even feeling so confident as to attempt an onside kick early in the third quarter , further demoralizing the Cowboys and increasing momentum for the Saints when they recovered it . With 3 minutes left in the game and the ball deep in Cowboys territory , Payton ' s Saints went to kneeling , either to let Parcells keep some of his pride intact , or to make a statement . The Cowboys had one of the worst games of their season . Payton ' s defense never gave them a chance to get into a rhythm , and Tony Romo threw for 16 completions of 33 attempts for 249 yards for a single touchdown and a pair of interceptions . The Cowboys started out promising , stopping the Saints ' offense and Julius Jones responding with a career record 77 - yard touchdown run . Though after that play , nothing seemed to go right . Gramatica missed another crucial field goal , soaring wide right , and the only other touchdown came from a fourth - down pass to Terrell Owens that could have been an interception had cornerback Fred Thomas not had a cast on his hand . New Orleans defeated Dallas 42 – 17 , snapping Dallas ' four - game winning streak and dropping them to 8 – 5 while improving their own record to 9 – 4 . Stats Week 15 : at Atlanta Falcons . Hoping to rebound from their Sunday night home loss to the Saints , the Cowboys flew to the Georgia Dome for a Saturday night fight with the Atlanta Falcons . In the first quarter , Dallas took an early lead with QB Tony Romo completed a 7 - yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Cowboys increased its lead as on the very first play , OLB Demarcus Ware returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown . However , the Falcons started to fight back with QB Michael Vick completing a 1 - yard TD pass to FB Justin Griffith and a 9 - yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins . Fortunately , the ' Boys struck back with Romo and Owens hooking up with each other again with a 51 - yard TD pass . Yet again , Atlanta fought back with Vick completing an 8 - yard TD pass to WR Ashley Lelie . In the third quarter , Dallas temporarily fell behind with Vick completing 5 - yard TD pass to Griffith . Afterwards , the Cowboys regained control with kicker Martin Gramatica ' s 48 - yard field goal and RB Marion Barber 9 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , Barber helped the Cowboys wrap the game up with a 3 - yard TD run . With the win , the ' Boys improved to 9 – 5 and put themselves in position to clinch a playoff berth following the day . Stats Week 16 : vs . Philadelphia Eagles . Following a Saturday thrashing over the Falcons , the Cowboys returned home , donned their 1960s throwbacks again , and prepared for an NFC East rematch on Christmas Day with the Philadelphia Eagles . In the first quarter , the ' Boys trailed early with QB Jeff Garcia completing a 25 - yard TD pass to TE Matt Schobel for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , Philadelphia ' s lead increased with kicker David Akers nailing a 25 - yard field goal . Dallas would get its only score of the game with QB Tony Romo completing a 14 - yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens . Afterwards , the Eagles wrapped up the half with Akers kicking a 45 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Philly ' s lead increased with Akers ' 21 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , Dallas fell with RB Correll Buckhalter ' s 1 - yard TD run . With the loss , the Cowboys fell to 9 – 6 and out of first place in the NFC East . Stats Week 17 : vs . Detroit Lions . Following their loss to the Eagles , the Cowboys wrapped up the regular season at home against the 2 – 13 Detroit Lions . In the first quarter , Dallas shockingly trailed early as Lions kicker Jason Hanson nailed a 33 - yard and a 25 - yard field goal , while QB Jon Kitna completed a 20 - yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams . In the second quarter , the Cowboys took the lead with RB Marion Barber getting a 1 - yard TD run , while QB Tony Romo completed a 6 - yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton . However , Detroit regained its lead with Kitna and Williams hooking up with each other again on a 15 - yard TD pass . In the third quarter , the back - and - forth battle began with Dallas CB Terence Newman returning a punt 56 yards for a touchdown . However , the Lions regained the lead with Hanson kicking a 26 - yard field goal , while Kitna completed a 13 - yard TD pass to WR Mike Furrey . Afterwards , Cowboys kicker Martin Gramatica helped Dallas with a 39 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Cowboys took the lead with Romo completing a 56 - yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens . However , Detroit regained the lead with Kitna completing a 21 - yard TD pass to WR Mike Williams and Hanson kicking a 23 - yard field goal . Late in the game , Dallas had one last chance to take back the lead , but on 4th & Goal , Romo ' s run towards the endzone was stopped one yard short . With the shocking loss , the Cowboys ended the regular season at 9 – 7 and with the NFC ' s # 5 seed . Stats Playoffs . The Cowboys secured a playoff berth after the Minnesota Vikings lost to the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers . Their season ended after a 21 – 20 loss . NFC Wild - Card Playoffs : at Seattle Seahawks . Entering the NFC playoffs as the fifth - seed , the Cowboys began their playoff run at Qwest Field against the fourth - seeded Seattle Seahawks . In the first quarter , both teams started off even as Seahawks kicker Josh Brown nailed a 23 - yard field goal , while Martín Gramática helped Dallas with a 50 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Seattle retook the lead with Brown kicking a 30 - yard field goal . Dallas got the lead before halftime as QB Tony Romo completed a 13 - yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton . In the third quarter , the Seahawks retook the lead as QB Matt Hasselbeck completed a 15 - yard TD pass to TE Jerramy Stevens . Following Seattle ' s TD drive , the Cowboys retook the lead with rookie WR Miles Austin returning a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , Dallas increased its lead with Gramatica kicking a 29 - yard field goal . However , the Seahawks came back to retake the lead with a safety coming off a Terry Glenn fumble from Seattle CB Kelly Jennings , along with Hasselbeck completing a 37 - yard TD pass to Stevens ( followed up with a failed 2 - point conversion ) . Dallas managed to put themselves in a position to retake the lead , but on the 19 yard field goal try Romo botched the hold . He picked up the loose ball and attempted to run with it , but was tackled at Seattle ' s two yard line by Jordan Babineaux thus turning the ball over on downs . On the ensuing possession , Hasselbeck then handed the ball off four times before the Seahawks were forced to punt . With only 2 seconds left , Romo threw a Hail Mary pass to the Seattle end zone that fell incomplete , ending the Cowboys ' season and leaving the franchise still without a playoff win since 1996 . Stats With the loss , Dallas ended its season with three - straight losses and an overall record of 9 – 8 .