For the first time since 2004, long-time long snapper L. P. Ladouceur was not on the opening day roster, as he was not re-signed during free agency.

[1] This was also the first time since 2010 that long-time punter Chris Jones was not on the opening day roster, as he was released on March 17, 2021.

[2] To further add to the notable departures, for the first time since 2011, defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford was not on the opening day roster, as he announced his retirement on March 25, 2021.

[3] Additionally, for the first time since 2009, linebacker Sean Lee was not on the opening day roster, as he announced his retirement on April 26, 2021.

Following a Denver Broncos' loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Cowboys clinched the NFC East, based on strength-of-victory tiebreakers; this was their first division title since 2018.

But despite high expectations, the Cowboys lost in the wild card round of the playoffs to the San Francisco 49ers 23–17.

The Cowboys defense forced four turnovers but Greg Zuerlein missed crucial field goals, including a 60-yarder and an extra point.

The Cowboys started the game with a 14–3 lead, from touchdown runs by Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott.

Greg Zuerlein kicked a 56-yard field goal as time expired to give Dallas a crucial win.

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys played their second consecutive Week 5 home game against the Giants.

Unlike the previous season's matchup, Dak Prescott finished the game without suffering an injury.

The game began with Dak Prescott throwing an interception and losing a fumble, neither turnover of which the Cowboys would allow the Giants to score.

During the final play, Dak Prescott threw a game-winning touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb to seal the Cowboys' win.

Dallas entered the game as 10-point home favorites, seeking their first win against Denver since the 1995 season.

The Cowboys recorded their second blocked punt of the season, but the Broncos recovered to retain possession.

The scoring began with CeeDee Lamb hauling in Dak Prescott's pass for a touchdown to give the Cowboys the early lead.

After their loss to the Chiefs, the Cowboys looked to win their first game on Thanksgiving since they beat the Washington Football Team in 2018, who were then known as the Redskins.

The Cowboys sent the game to overtime, but after a controversial pass interference call on Anthony Brown, they could not succeed at making a comeback.

One of those scoring plays involved Micah Parsons forcing a fumble, which was recovered by Dorance Armstrong for a touchdown.

In the second half, Washington would awaken from their slump and score three touchdowns of their own, including a pick-six by Cole Holcomb.

However, Dallas was able to stave off the late rally and keep the game out of Washington's reach by forcing a game-ending fumble.

Having already clinched the NFC East after the Broncos lost to the Raiders, the Cowboys looked to add to their momentum as they returned home to play against the Washington Football Team.

They later fought back in the fourth quarter to pull within 3 points, but a controversial fumble call ended the Cowboys' momentum.

Wide receiver Michael Gallup left the game with a knee injury in the second quarter after a touchdown reception.

However, the Cowboys were plagued by miscues and penalties throughout the game, and a late fourth-quarter rally fell short in a heartbreaking loss.

San Francisco scored first with a touchdown run by Elijah Mitchell on the game's opening drive, and built their lead to 23–7 by the start of the fourth quarter.

Dallas started their rally with a long field goal by Greg Zuerlein, followed by a touchdown run by Dak Prescott.

The Cowboys had a first down at the 49ers 24-yard line, but the clock expired before Prescott could stop it by spiking the ball, in part because members of the Cowboys offense unintentionally prevented the Umpire from touching the ball to officiate the start of the snap, ending the game and Dallas's season.