The Dallas Cowboys might still be paying the price for past performances. The last home victory came in a thrilling Saturday night win against the Detroit Lions in the second-to-last week of last year’s regular season, a game that determined who would claim the #2 seed in the NFC between Dallas and Detroit. Ironically, it worked out for the team that lost, as the Cowboys ended up facing the surging Green Bay Packers, while the Lions got the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—a formidable, but more manageable, opponent.
However, Detroit’s loss came with controversy. The game was tight, and the Cowboys’ defense allowed a late drive that nearly tied the game. Lions head coach Dan Campbell opted for a two-point conversion to win, and it appeared successful until a controversial penalty negated the play. This isn’t about revisiting that moment, but ever since, the Cowboys haven’t won at home, losing all their home games decisively and putting themselves in the company of teams they’d rather not join.
The Cowboys are now on the verge of tying an unfortunate NFL record. After allowing 44 points to the New Orleans Saints in their recent home game, they added to the sting of the previous blowout loss to the Packers, where they gave up 48 points. In back-to-back home games, allowing a combined 92 points is a bitter pill to swallow.
Here is every team in NFL history who allowed outings of 44 or more points in consecutive games at home, playoffs included obviously.
Rk | Team | Streak | Streak Started | Streak Ended | Active | G | W | L | T | Pts | PtsO | PtDif |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ATL | 3 | 1966-10-02 | 1966-10-30 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 140 | -102 | |
2 | DAL | 2 | 2024-01-14 | 2024-09-15 | * | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 51 | 92 | -41 |
3 | PIT | 2 | 1968-11-17 | 1968-11-24 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 90 | -38 | |
4 | MIA | 2 | 1968-09-21 | 1968-09-28 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 95 | -71 | |
5 | BOS | 2 | 1967-12-09 | 1968-09-22 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 47 | 91 | -44 | |
6 | DEN | 2 | 1962-11-22 | 1963-09-07 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 105 | -53 | |
7 | DAL | 2 | 1960-10-16 | 1960-10-30 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 93 | -79 | |
8 | WAS | 2 | 1954-10-10 | 1954-10-17 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 42 | 100 | -58 | |
9 | BCL | 2 | 1950-11-19 | 1950-12-03 | * | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 100 | -59 |
10 | GNB | 2 | 1950-10-08 | 1950-11-12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 89 | -44 | |
11 | BDA | 2 | 1946-12-08 | 1947-09-12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 121 | -100 |
But how rare is this? According to data from Stathead and Pro Football Reference, it’s a troubling mark in NFL history. Only a few teams, including the defunct 1950 Baltimore Colts, have ever allowed 44 or more points in consecutive home games. The Cowboys now find themselves on that short, undesirable list. If the Ravens score 44 or more points on Sunday, Dallas will tie the NFL record for consecutive home games allowing that many points, a feat last achieved by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968.
The Ravens, who have scored 20 and 23 points in their first two games this season, don’t seem likely to reach 44 points easily. Last season, they only hit that mark once, putting up 56 points against the Miami Dolphins. However, given how shaky the Cowboys’ defense looked in their home debut, anything is possible. Can Dallas avoid the embarrassment and keep Baltimore in check? That remains to be seen.