| 2006 Dallas Cowboys season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jerry Jones |
| General manager | Jerry Jones |
| Head coach | Bill Parcells |
| Home field | Texas Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 9–7 |
| Division place | 2nd NFC East |
| Playoff finish | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Seahawks) 20–21 |
| Pro Bowlers | Flozell Adams T Andre Gurode C Mat McBriar P Tony Romo QB DeMarcus Ware LB Roy Williams S Jason Witten TE |
| AP All-Pros | Mat McBriar (2nd team) DeMarcus Ware (2nd team) |
| Uniform | |
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The 2006 Dallas Cowboys season was the 47th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL). The season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record in 2005. The base offense was changed to a 2-tight end formation. Several high-profile free agents were signed including controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens and kicker Mike Vanderjagt. Veteran defensive end Greg Ellis was also converted into a linebacker.
Although veteran Drew Bledsoe was the initial starter at quarterback, fourth-year backup Tony Romo replaced Bledsoe at halftime of their Week 7 matchup with the New York Giants. Romo became the starter in Week 8 due to Bledsoe's rough starts with frequent sacks and interceptions. Romo initially played very well, going 5–1 in his first six NFL starts, including a win over the previously unbeaten Indianapolis Colts, but he finished the season 1–3 with six touchdowns, six interceptions, and two fumbles lost. The Cowboys secured a playoff berth for the first time since 2003, but they did not win the division when in the final week they were defeated by a 2 win Detroit Lions team. The Cowboys lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs to the Seattle Seahawks 21–20, a game in which Romo famously botched the hold on a go-ahead field goal inside the final two minutes.
When Romo started the Thanksgiving Day game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it marked the 7th different Cowboys starting quarterback in seven consecutive Thanksgiving Day games (Troy Aikman, Ryan Leaf, Chad Hutchinson, Quincy Carter, Drew Henson, Drew Bledsoe, and Romo).
This was Bill Parcells' final season as head coach, as he retired after the season ended.