The 2024-2025 NFL season for the Dallas Cowboys ended with a crushing disappointment: no playoff run. For a team that had come into the season with high expectations, a strong roster, and a fanbase desperate for a deep postseason push, the failure to secure a spot in the playoffs left many questioning the future of the franchise. In a league where postseason success is the benchmark for success, the Cowboys’ inability to compete for a championship once again raised questions about their direction, leadership, and ability to perform on the big stage.
For the Cowboys, the road to this painful conclusion had been paved with a combination of underwhelming performances, unfulfilled potential, and persistent mistakes in key moments. Despite entering the season as one of the most talented teams in the NFC, they fell short when it mattered most. In this deep dive, we’ll examine the reasons why the Dallas Cowboys failed to secure a playoff berth in 2024-2025, the impact of this failure on the franchise, and what steps the team may need to take to avoid a repeat of this scenario in future seasons.
The High Hopes of the 2024-2025 Cowboys
The 2024 offseason was one of optimism and change for the Dallas Cowboys. With a potent roster that featured Pro Bowl talent on both sides of the ball — from quarterback Dak Prescott to defensive stalwarts like Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs — expectations were higher than ever. The Cowboys were coming off a solid 2023 season, which had ended with a playoff berth, but their failure to make a deep playoff run the previous year weighed heavily on their minds. Owner Jerry Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy were both determined to break the Cowboys’ 28-year Super Bowl drought.
The roster was undoubtedly stacked. Prescott had shown flashes of brilliance but had struggled with consistency. In particular, questions about his ability to perform in crucial moments remained a topic of debate. On defense, the Cowboys boasted one of the most dominant units in the NFL, led by Parsons, who had emerged as one of the most disruptive forces in the league. The defensive line, bolstered by newcomers and veterans alike, was expected to wreak havoc on opposing offenses, and the secondary, anchored by Diggs, offered a strong counter to high-powered passing attacks.
In addition, the Cowboys’ running game had a proven workhorse in Tony Pollard, who had taken over the lead-back role. The offensive line, though aging, still had the talent to provide adequate protection for Prescott and open up lanes for Pollard to thrive. All in all, the 2024 Cowboys had the talent, the coaching, and the leadership to make a legitimate Super Bowl run — or so it seemed.
Early Season Optimism
The season started with promise. Dallas quickly racked up wins against weaker opponents in the first few weeks, showing off their defensive prowess and efficient offensive game plans. Prescott appeared to be in control, limiting turnovers and distributing the ball effectively to playmakers like CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. The defense, led by Parsons and a resurgent pass rush, kept opposing quarterbacks under constant pressure, creating turnovers and setting up the offense for easy scores. At one point, the Cowboys were 5-1, and fans were dreaming of a deep playoff run.
But as the season progressed, cracks began to form. The team’s inconsistencies started to rear their ugly head. In what was supposed to be a signature year for Dallas, the Cowboys’ lack of sustained excellence began to show up in key moments, especially as the competition stiffened.
The Inconsistency of Dak Prescott
One of the most glaring issues for the Cowboys in 2024 was Dak Prescott’s inconsistency. Prescott had been lauded as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, but his performance throughout the season proved otherwise. While Prescott occasionally showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with his connection to CeeDee Lamb, his performance in critical moments was often erratic.
One of the major knocks on Prescott throughout his career has been his ability to perform in big games. In the regular season, his numbers were respectable, but he struggled in primetime games, especially against elite defenses. His inability to elevate his game in crucial matchups contributed to a series of frustrating losses.
The most emblematic moment of Prescott’s season came in a crucial late-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he threw two critical interceptions in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys had a chance to keep pace in the NFC East and push for a top playoff spot, but Prescott’s turnovers were costly, allowing the Eagles to seal the win and maintain control of the division. It was a game that embodied many of the struggles Prescott had faced throughout the season: inability to execute under pressure, failure to protect the ball, and missed opportunities when the game was on the line.
Offensive Playcalling and Lack of Balance
Another issue that plagued the Cowboys in 2024 was their lack of offensive balance and sometimes questionable playcalling. Despite having a talented backfield with Pollard, the Cowboys often relied too heavily on Prescott’s arm. The offensive line, while solid, was no longer the imposing unit it once was, and that inconsistency in protection contributed to the offensive struggles.
The Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, had taken a more aggressive approach in 2024, but it sometimes backfired. There were stretches where the offense became one-dimensional, relying too heavily on passing plays instead of establishing a consistent running game. When the run game was underutilized, it allowed opposing defenses to tee off on Prescott, and it often led to long third-down situations. Moore’s playcalling in high-leverage moments also came under scrutiny. Whether it was questionable fourth-down decisions, conservative playcalling on the goal line, or an overreliance on deep passing attempts, the offensive strategy at times seemed disconnected from the team’s strengths.
In contrast, teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and others were able to maintain a more balanced offensive approach, mixing in run plays with efficient passing to move the ball methodically down the field. The Cowboys’ inability to find that balance hurt their overall offensive production and contributed to their failure to secure a playoff berth.
Defensive Woes in Key Moments
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys were again one of the top units in the league. Micah Parsons continued to establish himself as a generational talent, regularly wreaking havoc in the backfield and putting quarterbacks under pressure. Trevon Diggs, despite some high-risk plays, had a solid season in the secondary, picking off passes and serving as a lockdown corner. The defensive line was strong, and the team was generally stout against the run.
However, as the season wore on, the Cowboys’ defense began to show signs of fatigue. While they were dominant for stretches, they struggled in key moments, especially in close games. In a November matchup against the Buffalo Bills, for example, the defense allowed a late touchdown drive to tie the game and then fell apart in overtime, failing to contain Josh Allen in critical situations. The lack of a killer instinct on defense was something that had been a trademark of great Cowboys’ defenses in the past, but in 2024, the defense was often unable to finish off games when it mattered most.
The inability of the defense to consistently come up with stops in high-pressure moments left the Cowboys in tough situations, especially when the offense wasn’t clicking. While the defense may have been statistically dominant, it ultimately couldn’t carry the team in the same way that units like the 49ers or the Ravens were able to do with their defenses.
Injuries and Lack of Depth
Injuries also played a role in the Cowboys’ season, particularly in key areas. The offensive line, which had been a strength in previous years, dealt with injuries to key players, affecting the team’s ability to execute both the running game and pass protection. Tight end Dalton Schultz also missed significant time with injury, leaving the Cowboys’ offense without a reliable red-zone target.
While the Cowboys’ depth was solid in most positions, injuries to key players like linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and running back Tony Pollard only added to the struggles. The lack of depth at some positions — especially on the offensive line and defensive line — proved to be a limiting factor when key players were sidelined, and the Cowboys’ lack of ability to withstand injuries made the difference in several close games.
The Fallout: No Playoff Run
As the final weeks of the regular season unfolded, it became clear that the Cowboys were no longer in contention for a division title in the NFC East. Their inconsistent play and inability to close out games left them on the outside looking in. Despite finishing the season with a respectable 9-8 record, the Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention, missing the postseason entirely.
This result was a massive disappointment for a franchise that had invested so much in its roster and coaching staff. The lack of a playoff run meant that the Cowboys’ season was considered a failure by most observers, and once again, the team was left to ask the tough question: Why couldn’t they get over the hump?
The Way Forward
For the Dallas Cowboys, the 2024-2025 season will be remembered as a missed opportunity. With so much talent on both sides of the ball, the Cowboys had every chance to make a deep postseason run but ultimately fell short. The failure to execute in key moments, combined with inconsistent play from key players, exposed the team’s vulnerabilities and raised questions about the direction of the franchise moving forward.
As the Cowboys look ahead to the 2025 offseason, changes may be necessary. From evaluating Dak Prescott’s future with the team to making decisions about coaching staff and roster construction, the Cowboys will have a long road ahead to figure out how to take the next step. The team’s commitment to winning is unquestioned, but as the 2024-2025 season proved, talent alone doesn’t guarantee success in the NFL.
