Most of the problems that the 1984 Dallas Cowboys had appeared to have disappeared when the squad jumped out to a 6-2 start. The Dallas offense gained more than 400 total yards in three of those games, while the defense forced a total of 29 turnovers, or 3.6 per game.

Tony Dorsett surpassed 10,000 career rushing yards in the team's 27-13 win over the Steelers in week 6 of the 1985 season.

Although the club did not appear as strong as the 1983 squad that started at 7-1, the ’85 Cowboys gave fans hope that the 1984 season was nothing more than a rebuilding year. The team’s 44-14 win over Washington in week 1 helped to build this perception.

Week 2: Detroit 26, Dallas 21

Danny White and Gary Hogeboom combined to throw for481 passing yards, but the team could not overcome five turnovers and a 26-0 deficit against the Lions at Detroit.

Week 3: Dallas 20, Cleveland 7

White rebounded from his poor performance against the Lions by throwing for one touchdown pass and receiving another from running back James Jones in a 20-7 Dallas win.

Week 4: Dallas 17, Houston 10

Tony Dorsett rushed for 159 yards, and the defense recorded 12 sacks. However…

When the defense ties an NFL record with 12 sacks and provides the offense with five turnovers, a touchdown with less than two minutes left shouldn’t be needed to win. But who would expect Rafael Septien to miss 4-of-5 field goals and the offense to convert 1-of-14 third downs?

For the time being, it is clear the Cowboys have a Super Bowl-caliber defense and a popgun offense. Every game, apparently, is going to be a struggle until the offense gets itself straightened out.

Week 5: Dallas 30, N.Y. Giants 29

In what was supposed to be a battle of defenses, the Cowboys and Giants combined for 896 yards. New York took a 26-14 lead thanks to three long touchdown passes by Phil Simms. However, the Cowboys came back, and Rafael Septien’s field goal with 2:09 left was enough to give Dallas a 30-29 win.

Week 6: Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 13

Tony Dorsett became the sixth player in league history to surpass 10,000 rushing yards for a career in the Cowboys’ 27-13 win over Pittsburgh. Dorsett scored on a 56-yard pass play and again later on a 35-yard run. The win was the first for Dallas over the Steelers since 1972.

Week 7: Philadelphia 16, Dallas 14

Dallas lost at Philadelphia for the first time since the 1980 NFC Championship Game. Dallas had taken a 14-6 lead, but Ron Jaworski’s touchdown pass to Kenny Jackson gave the Eagles a 16-14 lead with 10 minutes remaining. Dallas drove into Eagle territory, but a Tony Dorsett fumble killed the drive, and the Cowboys were unable to kick the game-winner.

Week 8: Dallas 24, Atlanta 10

Danny White threw for 362 yards and overcame three interceptions to lead the Cowboys to a 24-10 win over Atlanta. Tony Hill had 10 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Quiz

Below are five questions related to the 1985 Dallas Cowboys. Answers will appear once you have answered these questions.

In August 1985, a member of the Cowboys appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The caption read, "Cowboy in Trouble." Who was this player?





In September 1985, a former Dallas running back was convicted of resisting arrest during a scuffle with police officers. The trial was taking place as the team prepared for its game against Detroit in week 2, and the distraction may have been the reason for the team's loss. Who was this player?





Between 1980 and 1985, how many times did the Cowboys begin a season by going exactly 6-2?





Tony Hill had the last of his 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 1985. How many times did he surpass 1,000 yards during his career?





Tony Dorsett surpassed 10,000 career rushing yards in 1985. At that time, each of the following players except for one also had more than 10,000 career rushing yards. Who did not?