The Dallas Desperados finished 7-7 in their first year, setting a tone for mediocrity for the franchise and its future. The Desperados beat the Indiana Firebirds by a point to advance to the semifinals in the playoffs. After losing in overtime to the Rush just a few weeks before, the Desperados again lost to Chicago, this time by thirteen. In their second year, the team improved their regular season mark to 10-6. The six losses came by a combined 24 points and two of the wins came on the road in overtime. Two weeks after winning on the road at Georgia, the Force got a 49-45 win in Dallas to end the Desperados' season. The Desperados started 5-1 the next year, but only won one more game all season. In 2005, the Desperaods played to a tie against the Nashville Kats. An 8-7-1 record was not good enough for the postseason. In 2006, the Desperados had their second great season, finishing with a mark of 13-3 and earning a first round bye in the playoffs. The Desperados scored a franchise high 87 points at Orlando in an 87-62 regular season victory. After cruising through Georgia in the quarterfinals by a score of 62-27, the team got a rematch with the Predators. In what was a much more defensive game, the Predators held Dallas to just 28 points and the Desperado's season ended, 45-28. The team finished the 2007 regular season campaign at 15-1, the only loss coming at Georgia. After riding an eight game win streak into the postseason, the Desperados earned the top seed and a first round bye week. However, the postseason would bring a surprise loss for the second consecutive year, as the Columbus Destroyers upset Dallas, 66-59 after trailing by ten at the half. The Desperados of 2008, led by Clint Dolezel and Chris Sanders when Dolezel was injured, won nine of their first ten games. Will Pettis, Marcus Nash, and Anthony Armstrong all caught over 1,000 yards and combined for 76 touchdowns. However, the team struggled down the stretch, losing two games against division rival Philadelphia and a one point game against Arizona at home. The team finished the regular season with what ended up being a meaningless loss at Chicago. Dallas finished behind Philadelphia in the division and hosted New York in the first round. For the third straight year, the Desperados were upset in their first playoff game, as the Dragons won 77-63.