The Jets and Cowboys don't have the most storied rivalry, considering they've often played each other just every four years and sometimes longer back in the 1980s and 90s. But still, there have been some memorable moments between the two.
Before we look ahead to Sunday's matchup at AT&T Stadium, let's look back to the Top 10 games between the Jets and Cowboys.
Before we look ahead to Sunday's matchup at AT&T Stadium, let's look back to the Top 10 games between the Jets and Cowboys.
10. Cowboys at Jets • Sept. 28, 2003 • Giants Stadium • W, 17-6
The story here was first-year Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells returning to the Big Apple after previously coaching the Jets. He had led Dallas to a 35-32 overtime victory at the Giants just two weeks earlier and came out on top again in this one, riding Troy Hambrick's 127 rushing yards to a New York sweep.
9. Cowboys at Jets • Oct. 4, 1987 • Giants Stadium • W, 38-24
This was the first game played by scabs during the NFL strike, although many of the Cowboys regulars suited up due to mandatory contract requirements tied to deferred salary payments. So while New York got on the board first, it was no surprise that Dallas then reeled off 24 unanswered points to run away with it.
8. Cowboys vs. Jets • Dec. 19, 2015 • AT&T Stadium • L, 16-19
A rather mundane game through three quarters had a flurry of a finish. After the Jets took the lead, Dan Bailey booted a 50-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining to tie the score. Unfortunately, that was enough time for the visitors to kick a 40-yarder of their own with 41 seconds left to steal the win.
Cowboys at Jets • Dec. 21, 1975 • Shea Stadium, W, 31-21
The Cowboys' aerial attack was anemic with Clint Longley throwing for 94 yards. Thing is, the Jets totaled just 15 yards through the air, and with 16 yards lost on two sacks, netted minus-1 yards in their passing game. Thankfully, running back Robert Newhouse led a ground effort for Dallas that racked up 243 rushing yards.
6. Cowboys at Jets • Dec. 18, 1993 • Giants Stadium • W, 28-7
The eventual Super Bowl champs had little trouble in this romp over the Jets. Emmitt Smith's 91 yards rushing was matched by Michael Irvin's 91 yards receiving, the wideout also adding two touchdown catches. Meanwhile, the Dallas defense totaled four turnovers, including a 32-yard pick-six from cornerback Kevin Smith, the only one of his career.
5. Cowboys at Jets • Oct. 13, 2019 • MetLife Stadium • L, 22-24
Down 21-3 at one point, the Cowboys made a valiant comeback, outscoring the Jets 16-3 in the second half. And when Dak Prescott reached the end zone with 43 seconds left, Dallas seemed on the doorstep of victory. Alas, a pass attempt to tight end Jason Witten on the two-point conversion fell incomplete, game over.
4. Cowboys at Jets • Dec. 17, 1978 • Shea Stadium • W, 30-7
The final regular season tune-up before the Cowboys would go on their run to the Super Bowl, there wasn't much doubt about this one. The most memorable play saw tight end Billy Joe DuPree's fumble after a 35-yard catch bounce right into the arms of Tony Dorsett, who then promptly raced 54 yards for a touchdown.
3. Cowboys at Jets • Sept. 11, 2011 • MetLife Stadium • L, 24-27
Another game Dallas should have won. Ahead by 17 early in the fourth quarter, the team gave up two scores, including a blocked punt returned for a touchdown with just over five minutes remaining, before former Cowboy Nick Folk kicked a 50-yard field goal with 27 seconds left to win it for New York.
2. Cowboys vs. Jets • Nov. 22, 2007 • Texas Stadium • W, 34-3
The Cowboys certainly feasted in this Thanksgiving Day matchup. Marion Barber pounded out 103 rushing yards with a touchdown, but it was the Dallas defense that really starred. The unit allowed the Jets only 180 yards of total offense with cornerback Terence Newman returning an interception 50 yards for the score, the first of his career.
1. Cowboys vs. Jets • Dec. 4, 1971 • Texas Stadium • W, 52-10
This was a mismatch if ever there was one. Ike Thomas returned the opening kickoff 101 yards, his second in as many games, with the Cowboys totaling four touchdowns overall in the first quarter alone. Running backs Duane Thomas and Calvin Hill combined for 272 yards from scrimmage with two rushing scores and three touchdown catches.
