The last time the Cowboys went 13-3 and had a first-round bye in the playoffs, they also landed five first-teamers on the NFL's All-Pro squad.
So it's fitting the Cowboys would once again get a handful of players on the All-Pro squad, voted on by members of The Associated Press. The Cowboys were the only team in the NFL to land five All-Pro first-teamers as the Chiefs were second with four.
This year's five includes rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, who becomes just the third player in franchise history to be selected to the AP's All-Pro first team. Elliott joins Calvin Hill (1969) and Zack Martin, who was selected to his third straight All-Pro honor.
Martin, Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith were all on the All-Pro list again this year.
On the defensive side, Sean Lee was named a first-team All-Pro pick despite being left off the Pro Bowl ballot.
Lee led the Cowboys with 173 tackles, including a franchise-record 22 against the Giants in early December.
Elliott led the NFL in rushing with 1,631 yards, which ranks fifth among single-season totals in Cowboys history, and the most by a rookie.
"It's a great feeling to get another accolade in my rookie season," Ellliott said. "To be recognized and noted as the best running back in the league, that's crazy - this being my rookie year. I think it's a tribute to how good of a team we are and how well we work together. It takes 11 guys to play football, and without the other 10 guys that are out there on the field with me, this wouldn't be possible."
Last year, the Cowboys had four All-Pro selections despite a 4-12 season, with Frederick, Smith and Martin, along with kicker Dan Bailey.
In that 2007 season, the Cowboys' five first-team picks were Flozell Adams, Leonard Davis, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and DeMarcus Ware.
