All-Century Dallas Cowboys: 5 best offenses of the last 25 years pits Dak Prescott and Tony Romo against each other

We're celebrating a quarter of the century in 2025 and I've seen many people in different industries count down the "25 best whatever in 25 years." Well, we're putting a Dallas Cowboys twist to the trend. 

This is the first of five posts that will look at the 25 best Cowboys units, players, games, and moments since 2000. 

And what better way to kick us off than with the best offenses in recent memory. Dak Prescott and Tony Romo battle for the top spot, who gets it? 

5. 2021: The only taste we got of Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb together

People easily forget given a first-round playoff exit but the 2021 Cowboys offense wasn't only good, it was the NFL's best in points and yards per game. A big reason why is Dak Prescott had Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb at wide receiver. The latter led the team with 1,102 receiving yards while Cooper led in touchdowns with eight. 

In the running department Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard combined for 1,721 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Looking back on it, it's one of the seasons that confirmed Kellen Moore had a future in the league. It just didn't turn out to be with the Cowboys. 

4. 2014: Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray go off

The year "Dez caught it." Whether or not he did, man what a season Bryant had. He led the league with 16 receiving touchdowns while racking up 1,320 yards. Meanwhile, Tony Romo's job was made easier with an insane season from DeMarco Murray in which the running back led the league in rushing yards (1,845!) and touchdowns. 

And of course, an emblematic offensive line that welcomed Zack Martin in that very year made it all possible. And to think Jerry Jones was fighting for Johnny Manziel that very offseason.  

3. 2016: Dak and Zeke become the rookie sensation

Ezekiel Elliott made everyone temporarily forget about the concerns of drafting a running back in the Top 5 with a remarkable rookie season. He ran for 1,631 yards and rushed for 15 touchdowns. 

He wasn't the best rookie on the team. That award went to Dak Prescott, whose stats were remarkable for a first-year quarterback, let alone a fourth-rounder expected to be the team's third-string quarterback in August. This unit goes beyond the numbers. The vibes of a squad led to a one seed by a couple of kids was the NFL's story of the year. 

2. 2007: Tony Romo befriends Terrell Owens

In 2007, the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots redefined how offense was played in the NFL. But hey, the Cowboys were second in points scored that year. It was Tony Romo's first full year as a starter and he passed for 4,211 yards and 36 touchdowns. Sure, he also threw 19 picks but this was a high-octane offense. 

Centerstage was Terrell Owens, who remains one of the biggest signings in franchise history. That year, he and Jason Witten earned first-team All-Pro honors as they co-authored one of the few seasons in the century that have felt like "the year." 

1. 2023: Dak Prescott's near-MVP year

Taking the top spot away from Romo's Cowboys from 2007 is Prescott's offense from 2023. That season, Prescott finished as the MVP runner-up behind Lamar Jackson. At one point in December, he was the favorite. 

Dallas led the NFL in points despite an inconsistent running game and it was in large part thanks to CeeDee Lamb, who led the league in catches and total EPA among wide receivers, per Sports Info Solutions. It remains Prescott's best year yet and it's a glimmer of hope for fans wanting to see the 2025 Cowboys go deep into the postseason.