Troy Aikman: Year-by Year

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(From Dallas Cowboys Press Guide)

1995

The 1995 season was one of Aikman's best as a pro as he finished third in the NFL, second in the NFC, in quarterback rating with a 93.6 mark. Along the way, he recorded the second best attempt (432), completion (280), yard (3,304), touchdown (16) and lowest interception (7) totals of his career.

He earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl selection on the strength of his consistency, finishing second in the NFL in completion percentage (64.8%), third in average yard per attempt (7.65) and interception percentage (1.62).

Aikman opened the season by leading Dallas to eight wins in the first nine games, including a season opening 35-0 win at the N.Y. Giants (9/4) where he led Dallas to touchdowns on five of eight drives. He completed 15 of 20 passes (75%) for 228 yards and a touchdown in running his opening day record to 5-2.

The next week he threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in a 31-21 win over Denver (9/10). Aikman provided the fourth quarter spark Dallas needed at Minnesota (9/17) when he guided Dallas to a final period touchdown and two-point conversion to put the Cowboys up 17-10. He then drove the team 73 yards to a game-winning touchdown in overtime, finishing the day 24 of 38 (63.2%) for 246 yards and a touchdown -including 9 of 11 for 107 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Michael Irvin's 50-yard reception against Arizona (9/24) was Aikman's longest pass completion of the season as he threw for 192 first half yards, moving past Don Meredith (17,199 yards) into third on the club's all-time passing yardage list.

Aikman suffered many bumps and bruises during the 1995 season, but started every game of the season for only the second time in his career. The first of his bumps came at Washington (10/1) when he strained his right calf dropping back to pass on the game's first drive. He returned to the line-up the following week against Green Bay (10/8) and had one of his best days of the season, completing 24 of 31 passes (77.4%) for 316 yards and two touchdowns.

Still on a hot streak, Aikman came back at San Diego (10/15) and hit on 21 of 30 passes (70%) for 222 yards and broke Meredith's club-record of 156 consecutive pass attempts without an interception. Aikman's streak was snapped at 184 when he threw a fourth quarter interception in Dallas' 28-13 win at Atlanta (10/29). For the day, he was 19 of 25 (76%) for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

In a Monday night game against Philadelphia (11/6), Aikman posted his fourth consecutive game with a completion percentage over 70 percent, a club record, when he connected on 17 of 24 passes (70.8%) for 202 yards and a touchdown.

For the second time this seqason, Aikman was knocked out of a game in the first quarter. This time suffering a bruised left knee against San Francisco (11/12) on the game's first play. He tried to return but was unable. Also for the second time this season, he bounced back from injury to have one of his best games of the year, completing a season-high (fifth best of his career) 79.2 percent of his passes (19 of 24) for 227 yards and a score at Oakland (11/19). Along the way, he connected on 13 straight passes to tie his career best and the second longest streak in club history.

MORE 1995