The 2023 season is the Dallas Cowboys' 64th season in the National Football League and their fourth under head coach Mike McCarthy. The Cowboys attempt to improve upon their 12–5 record from the previous two seasons and win the NFC East for the first time since 2021.
This is the first season since 2015 that running back Ezekiel Elliott will not be on the roster, as he was released on March 15, 2023, and later signed with the New England Patriots on August 14, 2023.
Offseason
Signings
Re-signings
Trade acquisitions
Departures
Draft
Staff
Current roster
Preseason
Regular season
Schedule
Notes
Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Networks and times from Weeks 10–17 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling. The date, time and network for Week 18 will be finalized at the end of Week 17.
Game summaries
Week 1: at New York Giants
The Cowboys started the season by traveling to MetLife Stadium to face one of their longtime NFC East rivals - the New York Giants.
In rain-soaked conditions, they demolished the Giants, 40–0, on the back of a 70-yard, 2 touchdown performance by Tony Pollard, the defense blocking a field goal, intercepting Daniel Jones twice, and a pick-six. The defense recorded a total of seven sacks during the game on the Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
With the shutout win, the Cowboys started the season 1–0.
Week 2: vs. New York Jets
After a raging shutout win over the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys went back home to face New York's other NFL team, the New York Jets. The Cowboys benefitted from the Jets having to start Zach Wilson because of Aaron Rodgers injuring his Achilles' tendon the week before. Dallas scored the only points of the first quarter, with Dak Prescott hitting Jake Ferguson with a 4-yard touchdown pass to put the Cowboys up, 7-0.
In the second quarter, Brandon Aubrey extended the Cowboys' lead to 10-0 upon booting a 35-yard field goal. However, they would allow Zach Wilson to pass for his only touchdown of the game by hitting Garrett Wilson with a 68-yard touchdown pass to drop the Cowboys' lead to three points. However, the Cowboys wouldn't go away, as Dak Prescott hit Luke Schoonmaker with a 1-yard touchdown pass with the two-point conversion to put Dallas up by 11. With 4 seconds until halftime, the Jets would score their final points, with Austin Seibert booting a 34-yard field goal to bring New York within eight.
The second half belonged to Brandon Aubrey, as he booted 4 field goals, with 2 coming in the 3rd quarter, and the other two coming in the 4th, to reach the final score of 30–10.
The Cowboys' defense thoroughly harassed Zach Wilson, intercepting him 3 times and sacking him 3 times for 19 yards.
With the win, the Cowboys improved to 2–0, and won their first game against the Jets since 2007.
Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra was played as the game ended.
Week 3: at Arizona Cardinals
After two consecutive blowout wins over both New York teams, the Cowboys traveled to State Farm Stadium, hoping to give the Arizona Cardinals their 10th consecutive loss dating back to last season. Despite intercepting 5 passes in the previous two games, the Cowboys defense struggled throughout the game and could not intercept Cardinals' quarterback Joshua Dobbs at all. After falling into a 15–3 hole in the second quarter, Dallas failed to rebound, ultimately losing 28–16, and extending their losing streak against the Cardinals to three games. With the upset loss, the Cowboys fell to 2–1, and allowed their division rival Eagles to take sole possession of the division lead after their win the following night over the Buccaneers. Additionally, it was Dak Prescott's first game of the season throwing an interception.
Week 4: vs. New England Patriots
After a loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys went back home to face the New England Patriots. This was Ezekiel Elliott's return to AT&T Stadium for the first time since being released from the Cowboys. He played 7 seasons with the Cowboys from 2016 to 2022. The Cowboys dominated from start to finish against Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Leighton Vander Esch scored the first defensive touchdown of his career on an 11-yard fumble recovery.
With the win, the Cowboys improved to 3–1, and gave Belichick his worst loss as a head coach.