text: 2020 After the Cowboys chose not to renew Jason Garrett's contract, the Cowboys hired former Packers head coach and Super Bowl champion Mike McCarthy to replace Garrett. The Cowboys started off with a tough first quarter, losing to teams who would later on make the playoffs that year. Their only victory in their first four games was a game against the Atlanta Falcons in which they trailed 20–0, 26–7, 29–10, and 39–24 at different points throughout the game, but recovered an onside kick and kicked a game-winning field goal to win 40–39. Their second victory was costly. Despite the Cowboys beating the New York Giants 37–34, quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury. The Cowboys would lose six of their next seven games, with their only victory during that span being an upset over the Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys then won three straight to put them at 6–9 and contending for the division title. However, they lost Week 17 to the Giants, which eliminated them from playoff contention for the second straight year.
  2021
  With Dak Prescott back healthy and an improved defense, and a 12–5 record, Dallas returned to playoffs for the first time in three years. However, their hearts were broken once again as the 6th-seeded San Francisco 49ers upended them in the wild-card round 23–17.