Cowboys offseason countdown: 99 facts until the regular season (Day 66)

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We countdown the days to kickoff giving you an interesting fact about each number. Today is number 66.

We are at day 66 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 66.

The Dallas Cowboys showcased their offensive prowess in 1966, averaging an impressive 31.8 points per game, most in franchise history. The 1966 season held great significance for the team for other reasons, however, as we will explore in detail.

Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images

In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys had a breakthrough season, finishing with a record of 10-3-1 and winning the Eastern Conference title. It was their first winning season in the NFL. They emerged as the top scoring team in the league, putting up 445 points over 14 regular season games. The team scored over 40 points in a game four times that year, showcasing their offensive efficiency. In 2021, the Cowboys came close with an average of 31.2 points per game, but the 1966 offense remains unmatched in terms of scoring. Don Meredith would also have his most successful season, throwing for 2,805 yards and 24 touchdowns, both of which were career highs.

Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images

During the 1966 postseason, Dallas was the host of the NFL Championship Game at the Cotton Bowl. Unfortunately, they were defeated by the reigning NFL champions, the Green Bay Packers. This loss meant that Dallas missed the opportunity to compete in the inaugural Super Bowl, which the Packers won two weeks later. The trophy was subsequently named after their coach, Vince Lombardi.

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1966 also witnessed the Cowboys making their first appearance on Thanksgiving Day. As televised games gained more interest, the league wanted to add another team alongside the Detroit Lions to host an annual Thanksgiving Day game. Other NFL teams all declined the offer, but general manager Tex Schramm saw this as a chance for the franchise to boost its popularity and create its own Thanksgiving Day game tradition. Since then, both the Detroit and Dallas have hosted an annual Thanksgiving Day game.

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Cowboys Training Camp, Oxnard, 25th July (21 days to go).