Countdown to Kickoff

Days Hours Minutes Seconds
Cleveland Browns
VS
Dallas Cowboys

Sunday

September 8, 2024

4:25 PM ET

Cleveland, OH

Dallas Cowboys
VS
New Orleans Saints

Sunday

September 15, 2024

1:00 PM ET

Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys
VS
Baltimore Ravens

Sunday

September 22, 2024

4:25 PM ET

Dallas, TX

New York Giants
VS
Dallas Cowboys

Thursday

September 26, 2024

8:15 PM ET

New York, NY

Pittsburgh Steelers
VS
Dallas Cowboys

Sunday

October 6, 2024

8:20 PM ET

Pittsburgh, PA

Dallas Cowboys
VS
Detroit Lions

Sunday

October 13, 2024

4:25 PM ET

Dallas, TX

San Francisco 49ers
VS
Dallas Cowboys

Sunday

October 27, 2024

8:20 PM ET

San Francisco, CA

Atlanta Falcons
VS
Dallas Cowboys

Sunday

November 3, 2024

1:00 PM ET

Atlanta, GA

Dallas Cowboys
VS
Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday

November 10, 2024

4:25 PM ET

Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys
VS
Houston Texans

Monday

November 18, 2024

8:15 PM ET

Dallas, TX

Washington Commanders
VS
Dallas Cowboys

Sunday

November 24, 2024

1:00 PM ET

Washington, D.C.

Dallas Cowboys
VS
New York Giants

Thursday

November 28, 2024

4:30 PM ET

Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys
VS
Cincinnati Bengals

Monday

December 9, 2024

8:15 PM ET

Dallas, TX

Carolina Panthers
VS
Dallas Cowboys

Sunday

December 15, 2024

1:00 PM ET

Carolina, NC

Dallas Cowboys
VS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday

December 22, 2024

8:20 PM ET

Dallas, TX

Philadelphia Eagles
VS
Dallas Cowboys

Sunday

December 29, 2024

4:25 PM ET

Philadelphia, PA

Dallas Cowboys
VS
Washington Commanders

Sunday

January 5, 2025

TBD

Dallas, TX

Cowboys offseason countdown: 99 facts until the regular season (Day 8)

Cowboys offseason countdown: 99 facts until the regular season (Day 8)
Photo by Brad Mangin/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

We countdown the days to kickoff giving you an interesting fact about each number. Today is number 8

We are at day 8 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 8.

This one is easy to talk about as there is only one number 8 for Dallas. Troy Aikman.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman scrambles o
Photo credit should read TIM ZIELENBACH/AFP via Getty Images

Troy Kenneth Aikman was born November 21st, 1966 and was the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL draft. He was the first rookie quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys to play a season-opener since Roger Staubach in 1969. Despite demonstrating significant potential and achieving a rookie-record of 379 passing yards in a match against the Phoenix Cardinals, the team concluded the season with a 1-15 record. Nevertheless, as the young quarterback developed his skills, the Cowboys’ performance also began to improve.

In 1990, Aikman successfully completed 226 out of 399 passes, accumulating 2,579 yards and 11 touchdowns, while the team concluded the season with a record of 7-9. The subsequent year, he achieved an NFC-leading completion rate of 65.3 percent, contributing to the Cowboys’ improvement to an 11-5 record and their advancement to the second round of the playoffs. In 1992, during his 52nd game, Aikman surpassed the 10,000-yard milestone in passing, with his 302 completions ranking as the second highest in the franchise’s history.

That season also signified the conclusion of Dallas’ journey from the bottom to the top. With a formidable offense and a robust defense, the 13-3 Cowboys dominated the 1992 NFL playoffs, amassing a total of 116 points across three games, including a decisive 52-17 triumph over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII. Aikman’s performance, completing 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns, earned him the title of Super Bowl MVP.

Dallas Cowboys v San Francisco 49ers
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images

In the subsequent three seasons, the Cowboys achieved three straight 12-4 records and triumphed in Super Bowls XXVIII and XXX. The offensive prowess of Aikman, wide receiver Michael Irvin, and running back Emmitt Smith proved to be a formidable challenge for opposing defenses. When defenses concentrated on either Irvin or Smith, Aikman adeptly connected with tight end Jay Novacek or wide receiver Alvin Harper.

During the 1994 NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Green Bay Packers, Aikman completed 23 out of 30 passes for a total of 337 yards, with Irvin, Novacek, and Harper each surpassing 100 yards in receiving. Notably, Aikman’s 94-yard touchdown pass to Harper set a record for the longest play from scrimmage in NFL postseason history at that time. With 90 victories in the 1990s, Aikman became the most successful starting quarterback of any decade in NFL history upon his retirement.

Regrettably, in his final two seasons, injuries began to impact the Dallas quarterback and the team’s performance. Ultimately, following the 2000 season, the six-time Pro Bowl selection announced his retirement from professional football. His career statistics reflect 32,942 passing yards and 165 touchdowns, culminating in a passer rating of 81.6.

Class Of 2006 Pro Football Enshrinement Ceremony
Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images
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