text: 2017 2017 was a tumultuous season for the Cowboys. In August the NFL announced that star running back Ezekiel Elliott would be suspended the first six games of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy, after accusations of domestic abuse from an ex-girlfriend in 2016. Elliott maintained his innocence and was never criminally charged. The suspension was on and off again through the first two months of the season due to him attempting to appeal this decision.
  The Cowboys started the season by defeating the New York Giants 19–3. During Week 2 they were routed by the Denver Broncos 42–17. They bounced back in Week 3 winning on the road against the Arizona Cardinals 28–17. They returned home for a two-game homestand and lost both games, first to the Los Angeles Rams 35-30 then to the Green Bay Packers 35–31.
  After a Week 6 bye they returned to form by blowing out the San Francisco 49ers 40–10. Week 8 was a division game against the Washington Redskins, in which the Cowboys won 33–19. In Week 9 the Cowboys faced the Kansas City Chiefs, and became the first team that season to intercept Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith en route to a 28–17 win. It was the Cowboys' third straight win which brought them to 5–3.