Though the Cowboys would lose in the playoffs to the Detroit Lions in the divisional round, the season was considered a resounding success, and a glimpse of things to come.
At 6–5, the playoff chances seemed in serious jeopardy, especially with their upcoming opponent being a road game against the undefeated (and eventual Super bowl champion) Washington Redskins.
However, Jimmy Johnson presented a gambling game plan for the Redskins game, including a first-half onside kick, several decisions to "go for it" on 4th down at unusual times, and opting to throw for the end zone on the final play of the first half even though the team was within field goal range at the Redskins' 34-yard line.
The Eagles were downed 25–13 and then the Cowboys edged the Falcons 31–27; Jimmy Johnson, fearing complacency in his young players, called a snap full pads practice in driving rain the Friday before.
The special teams coached by Joe Avezzano were a strength of the Cowboys: Amid making the playoffs for the first time since 1985, there was controversy at the quarterback position.
The other main issue in the Detroit game was stopping the Lions' running back Barry Sanders, one of the great players in the NFL.
When the game began, the Cowboys defense did an excellent job stopping Sanders, holding him to one of his lowest outputs of the season.
However, the Cowboys were torched by unheralded Lions quarterback Erik Kramer through the air, resulting in the final score being 38–6 in favor of Detroit.